Maria Paseka: biography of a sports gymnast

Maria Paseka is one of the most titled Russian gymnasts. He is the world champion (2015) and four-time prize-winner of the Olympic Games.

The beginning of sports career

Maria Paseka, whose biography is presented in this article, was born in 1995 in Moscow. She always had a strong character and purposefulness. Already in six years the girl expressed a desire to engage in rhythmic gymnastics and began her sports career with the School of Sports of the Moscow State Philharmonic Society "Dynamo" under the direction of the well-deserved coaches N. Galtsova and V. Silifanova. Later they were replaced by D. Kamalov in the IC "Olympic", and in 2009 the gymnast fell into the hands of famous mentors in this sport - VN Ul'yankin, MG Ulyankina and IA Savosina.

The first serious competition and a real spirit of rivalry, Maria Paseka, whose photo you can see in the article, experienced in 2008, when she got to the open British Championship in artistic gymnastics, held in Hampshire. It was there that the young sportswoman won her first international medal - bronze in the base jump and gold in the team. Then, for family reasons, the gymnast had to leave this sport, as it seemed to her then, for life.

To get a little distracted, the girl took up acrobatics, but very quickly realized - there is only one sport in which Maria Paseka can become famous - gymnastics. After a two-month break, she decides to return to training. At first she started working with Olga Sikorro, but then she quickly transferred to the care of Marina Ulyankina. The coach was not afraid of the tests, but, on the contrary, she saw the potential in the new face.

A series of physical loads and serious training began, as a result of which a new Maria Paseka, a world-class gymnast, appeared before the audience.

First victories

2009 for Mary became very significant and difficult, because it was thanks to active work and constant training that the athlete already in 2010 won the gold medal of the European Championship in the team championship and silver in the base jump. Also this year, at the Championship of Russia, Paseka received a gold medal in the all-around for the base jump and the bars, thus showing that it is possible to pin hopes on her.

Close Maria believe that the key to her achievements is a persistent and energetic character - at the age of 14 the girl started driving a scooter and was happy to drive it along the local streets. It is love for speed that helps her not to succumb to nervous fluctuations, but to gather at the most crucial moment.

Health problems

After such a successful start, the athlete was waiting for a series of serious health problems. In early 2011, she underwent a complicated operation on the heels, conducted by Alexander Balberkin, MD. By the way, it is for this reason that Maria does not stand on the log. In this kind of competition, the whole emphasis is on the edges of the log - and this is unbearable pain for injured heels.

In addition, participation in the World Cup in Tokyo (2011) was canceled due to a received hip injury during the preparation for the competition at the training base. The most insulting thing was that Maria Paseka showed herself at the Cup of Russia in 2011, she got a bronze medal for a basic jump and claimed to get into the national team for competitions in Japan.

This year the gymnast completed her participation in the competitions in Belgium in Ghent, showing the fifth result in the floor exercises and the sixth in the base jump.

2012 Paseka started with participation in the Moscow Championship, where she won the first gold medal this year for the base jump. The sportswoman struggled in three nominations - bars, free exercises and support jump. Her achievements, she commented on the fact that she wanted to give her best and adjust emotionally to further international competitions.

In the same year, Maria Paseka took a silver medal at the international competition in artistic gymnastics, Antonina Koshel. When the girl was asked about the result, she said that without defeats there are no ups and she still has something to strive for.

Test of Glory

An important stage in the sporting career of Mary are the Summer Olympic Games in 2012 in London. Here, Paseka received silver in team performances and a bronze medal for his signature jump. Close friends from the team even noticed how the gymnast looked down on everyone and believed that she could do anything. Maria herself admits this fact and thanks her mother, who at that moment found the necessary words and brought her daughter to the senses.

The year of 2013 marked the career of the girl in that she took third place at the European Championships on raznomysokie beams. Also in the same year the Universiade was held in Kazan and a collection of personal victories was replenished with bronze for the base jump and gold in the team championship.

Plans crumble

And again came a black streak in the gymnast's sporting life - she was seriously injured. In 2013, her plans included participation in the World Championship, but because of a back injury the competitions passed without Paseka. Maria notes that this was a very difficult period in her life - a long rehabilitation and nervous tension. Because of excess weight and reduced physical fitness, each training was very difficult, but the gymnast did not stop and walked on. Then there was a landmark for the World Cup in 2014, but the athlete twisted her leg and was not able to fight for the medal.

However, Maria Paseka has an extremely strong character and stubborn temper. Having collected all will, she constantly trained and set herself only to win. There was no talk about participation for a tick - she knew that she could do more!

The long-awaited victory

Thanks to this attitude and the support of the coaches, Maria Paseka won the gold medal in 2015 at the World Championships in Glasgow for the base jump. That moment is remembered by every fan of this sport. After all, the difference between the first and second place was minimal, but the judges gave the victory not to the athlete from China, Honu Un Chong, and the Russian woman Marie Paseke. Tears flowed from the eyes of Mary during the awarding, because for her it was a long-awaited day. In all interviews, she warmly thanked her coaches for their support and their work. She also remembered with trembling her mother, who in her childhood struggled with the daughter's unwillingness to go to training and practice. Only on the pedestal the sportswoman realized and with gratitude accepted the strict attitude of the mother.

The next important event in the sporting life of this strong girl was participation in the Olympics in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. For Maria, it was a difficult struggle, largely due to the fact that everyone was already much more demanding of her, and they had set promising hopes. It is this fact that made the athlete nervous and did not let him get ready. But she coped with the tension and performed professionally, winning two silver medals - in the base jump and in the team championship.

Future plans

Despite all the regalia of this young girl, she is an ordinary person who loves to spend time at home in an embrace with her beloved cat Timothy or have a fun walk with friends. In addition, Maria Valerievna Paseka seriously takes a great interest in photography and likes to drive by car.

In the future, the sportswoman plans to continue to participate in competitions, and when she feels that she does not already have health, wants to train kids and raise new champions.