Ivan Stretovich is now preparing for his second Olympics. Realistically, he is one of the four strongest all-arounders in Russia right now and his main competitor, Vladislav Poliashov, is trying to qualify an individual spot through World Cups. He came to his native Novosibirsk for a few days as a guest at a wrestling competition and gave an interview talking about his plans for the season. While Nagornyy is listed to compete at the American Cup, it seems from the interview that Stretovich will go to the Stuttgart World Cup.
Q: Will you stay in Novosibirsk for long?
A: I’ll only spend four days here. I came here today [January 19th] at five am and will leave on Thursday morning. In the coming months, I am going to compete at the Russian and European Championships and the World Cup in Germany. The massive preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games has started. I’m sure it will be fruitful. We’ll go to Tokyo to get the gold medal.
Q: Do you already know if you’ll make the Olympic team?
A: Honestly, I’d rather not talk about it right now in order not to jinx it. I do my job, I come to the gym, give it my all, I try hard. The most important thing is to be honest to yourself in your work and then everything will be great.
Q: What attracts you as a spectator in wrestling?
A: Courage, willpower, character. To endure it and not to let the opponent to throw you on the carpet – that’s not so easy. Wrestling is truly a man’s sport. When I watch it, I only get positive emotions.
Q: Who are you cheering for today?
A: Personally, I’m not cheering for anyone. First of all, I wanted to see how such competitions are organized and to talk to important people, to share opinions. It’s an important experience for me. I organized my own artistic gymnastics competition in December.
Q: Nevertheless, as a gymnast, you named Alexander Karelin as a person who inspires you. Why him?
A: I’m from Siberia, also from Novosibirsk. Who could I have looked up to as a kid? Of course, to San Sanych Karelin, an Olympic champion and a Russian hero. I watched his fights.
Q: Do you have friends among wrestlers?
A: Roma Vlasov. We competed at the Rio Olympics together. Now we are both focused on preparing for the Olympics. I hope that we both will manage to go there and win gold. It would be a great step forward for us and our city.
Q: Is it a pity that he isn’t competing at these nationals?
A: Yes, we’d be able to catch up. We haven’t seen each other in a while. By the way, we were born on the same day – 6th of October. Such an interesting coincidence. We both have our own plans now, our own paths. We’re serious and mature and know what we’re aiming for. We need to sacrifice something. Each one focuses in their own way.
Q: Do you wish each other happy birthday?
A: Yes. Sometimes online, sometimes in person in Novosibirsk.
Q: Do you often watch wrestling?
A: In my spare time, I try to catch bits of everything and I also read. But more often, I watch football and hockey.
Q: Are you planning to go to a HK Sibir’s game, by the way?
A: I rarely go to hockey games in Novosibirsk. I usually can’t stay here for more than a week. If I have time when I’m in Moscow, I go to Sibir’s games there. When they play Dynamo or CSKA, we always watch and cheer. The stadium gathers big crowds. Going to a game gives both a chance to relax and and emotional charge.
Q: In the past, you released several songs. Do you plan on continuing doing rap?
A: No-no, we’re a bit past that age now. Now, we’re organizing gymnastics competitions. Everything is a bit different now.
Q: Did your music taste change or something else happened?
A: Everythign in my mind has changed completely, so there’s no way I could do that again.
Q: Are you being invited to various shows and TV projects?
A: Yes. Perhaps, I’ll be on the First Channel soon. But let’s not go too much further. I need to rely just on myself. I was invited by a morning show. I’ll be in Moscow on Thursday and will meet the director at Ostankino, we’ll talk about everything. If they’ll invite me to the filming – I’ll go. If not, it’s ok, too.
Q: How did the first competition you organized go?
A: We had four categories up to Master of Sports. Kids and adults participated, both men and women. We’re trying to promote gymnastics. When you turn the TV on, you see everything but gymnastics – biathlon, figure skating… I want people to watch our sport as well. We plan on adding some interesting innovations. Everyone was excited about the first competition. People from all around Russia and from Belarus came. Now, people from other countries want to come, too.
Q: Was organizing your own competition an important step in your career?
A: Of course. It’s important for any athlete. Active gymnasts don’t hold their own competitions – I was the first one doing that. I’m travelling around the world and trying to learn some things and implement them in Novosibirsk. We’ll be expanding. I think the increase in the number of people will be colossal.
Photo: Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation
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