Today was the first international competition for the Polish star Marta Pihan-Kulesza since she gave birth to her baby daughter. We talked to Ms. Pihan-Kulesza after the competition about her experience today, her reasons to come back and her plans for the near future.
Q: How did the competition go today?
A: It was a little bit stressful for me because I was not sure if I’m still able to compete at this level. It’s not yet the place I want to be at. I know I can be better but I still need more training. Everything is just fresh for me. I’m happy with the beam. Not so much with the floor but it was ok. I had a fall from the bars but after giving birth bars are a bit tricky for me. I had a C-section, so for my stomach muscles… it was really hard to get fit.
Q: It was a bit weird to see your new floor routine because we’re used to the Pink Panther routine. Do you like your new floor?
A: I like my new floor. It’s hard to make something like the Pink Panther routine, I loved it so much. And it’s really hard to create such a good routine for the spectators. I’m happy, I like this routine, but I’m still looking for the special one like Pink Panther.
Q: Did you plan to come back after your pregnancy?
A: No, I didn’t plan it. I decided to retire but then it was stronger than me. I just wanted to try and see if I could still do gymnastics elements. When I went to the gym for the first time after giving birth, I couldn’t do a pull-up. It was hard for me, I just wanted to get fit and the only way I know how to get fit is gymnastics. I tried simple things, then the harder things. Then I decided – maybe, I can try to compete again. It’s different now. I’m really having fun from the competition.
Q: And for how long are you planning to continue?
A: I don’t know. This year, for sure. And the next year because the next European Championships will be in my city, Szczecin. I was born in Szczecin, I live in Szczecin, so it’s the biggest motivation for me and for my husband because we will try to compete together in Szczecin and we’ll see. Of course, the most important for us is the World Championships in Stuttgart and we’ll see if we’ll be able to compete there. I’ll go to Doha, I’ll try to take my daughter and husband with me because it will be three weeks and it’s too long [to be without them].
Q: Is your husband going to compete in Doha?
A: Not this year. He’ll prepare for the next year. He told me: “This year is for you because you gave birth to our daughter, now it’s time for you and in 2019 we will come back together”.
Photo: Gymania, Israeli Gymnastics Magazine
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