Russian athlete Ekaterina Paltseva won gold at the 2019 World Boxing Championships in the weight category up to 48 kg in Ulan-Ude. We met with Ekaterina after a triumph. From our conversation you will learn: why the athlete did not show the joy of victory, how she does without social networks and why she wants to gain weight.
“After the finale, there were no longer any emotions. My strength was over, and I relied only on God's help. It seemed to many that I was not happy when I was declared the winner. But this was not true - I was just very tired and could no longer rejoice, ”said Paltsev about her first feelings after the finals of the World championship.
- And then, in the locker room?
“Only a few days later I recovered and realized that everything was fine.”
- What was the final fight with the representative of India Manju Rani?
- This is a strong boxer, and even before the fight I had health problems: my ears were stuffy, my nose was not breathing. It was very cold there, especially for me, a southerner. Many arrived without warm clothes and froze. But that did not stop me from winning.
- Your coach Albert Mutalibov said that you were ready for Indian technology and battle tactics.
- At the last World Cup, I lost in the first fight. And only now I can say that it had a positive effect - I became stronger, more assertive. After the defeat, I spent sparring with representatives of schools from the USA, Japan, Algeria, and India.
- What was the peculiarity of your opponent in the finals?
- If American women sit on their front foot more and box like standing up and don’t like left-handed people, and I’m just left-handed, then the Indian woman prefers direct punches. The difficulty was to approach her. To do this, I needed to swing Rani's body to pull her out.
- In boxing, are you left-handed or right-handed?
- For a left-hander it is difficult to meet a left-handed person. There used to be few left-handed people, now there are half of them.
Ekaterina Paltseva at the age of 4 began to kickboxing under the guidance of her father. At 13, she moved to boxing. European Champion 2018, World champion 2019 in the weight category up to 48 kg. Works with trainer of RBM №1 Albert Mutalibov.
“After the first round, the coach said: “ Go ahead, champion! ”. I thought: “Who is a champion? ”
- How did you psychologically prepare yourself for the finale?
- I had no thoughts about gold, I did not believe in myself. This is normal for me. I never believe in myself (smiles), underestimate myself. This is all with God's help.
- What did the coach say at the moments of your insecurity?
- After the first or second round, he said: “Go ahead, champion!”. I think: “Who is a champion? ” You don’t particularly analyze the situation there, you are like a puppet in the hands of a coach. In the second round I heard Albert's voice through the whole crowd of fans, but could not fulfill what he was yelling to me. But after I went into a corner, the coach encouraged me.
- Was the excitement strong, because it is a home tournament?
- I was nervous less than a year ago, and my home walls helped. We had been there for three weeks before at the training camp, and I felt calm. Buryats supported so cool, and the organization was at a high level. All the time the hall was filled to capacity. And they supported not only their own people - they supported everyone.
"Father himself made a bag for me and my sister and held it on paws."
- Have you already thought about switching to professional boxing?
- I could try, but 48 kg is not great. They beat each other, no one even managed to understand what was happening, jumped, then again. And at high categories, punches are visible. Anya Krasnoperova combines professional and amateur ring.
- Have you ever had a problem of weight gain?
- The entire training camp and competition weight was at around 47 kg, and I tried not to lower it below. This is the question - why not 51, why not Olympic weight.
- You have been kickboxing since 4 years old, why did you choose boxing in the end?
- I personally did not choose anything. My father coached my sister and me.
- Is your dad a coach?
- No, he is an amateur. He made us a bag, held us on paws, and at the age of 7 he put us to the kickboxing section. But after a few years, my father decided that we should go to boxing, as this is a more serious level.
- Did you immediately like martial arts or were there any other temptations?
- No, from the very beginning I loved sports and what my father gave me. I didn’t even have to be motivated.
- What is your professional secret that helps to win?
- My secret is simple - to love what you are doing, and rely only on yourself and the Lord.
- Russia is not the safest country. Have you ever had situations in life when martial arts skills helped you?
- No one will even attack me. I don’t know why, but it doesn’t happen (laughs).
“I love classical literature - Hugo, Dumas, Pikul”
- What do you do in your free time of sports?
- When you put one thing in the first place, there is no time left for the other. All my rest is associated with passive recovery - sleep, reading books.
- What books are you reading?
- I prefer classical literature. Hugo's “The Man Who Laughs”, like all the Dumas works.
- What do you feel after reading the works of these authors?
- You begin to think, to understand what and how, to delve into history. For example, Pikul has a continuous history. You begin to study all this.
- Do you have time for your personal life in your busy schedule?
- Yes, but a little. My family lives in the Krasnodar Territory, but I can only fly there once or twice a year and for a maximum of two weeks.
- What kind of advice would you give to students of MSSUOR No. 1?
- Approach everything correctly, with a head. Do not blindly go to your goal, but do not forget about your health. You must be able to listen to your body.
Profile of the Olympic Reserve:
Holidays at the sea or in the mountains?
At the sea
Comedy or action movies?
Comedy
Facebook or Instagram?
Neither one nor the other. Social networks are not dragging me.
Run cross or jump on rope?
Cross
Roy Jones Jr. or Vasily Lomachenko?
(After a pause.) Lomachenko.
Boxing the first number or second?
The second active.