Novopolotsk resident Anna Streltsova named world's best water skier by electric propulsion

As a belated New Year's gift to the sports fans of our country, a message arrived from the International Water Ski & Wakeboard Federation: Anna Streltsova, a student of the Genovs' Novopolotsk school, was recognized as the best female athlete of 2015 in the «ricksen» (boat skiing) discipline. And this is despite her young age and a severe injury previously sustained!

The Making of a Champion

Today, Anna can no longer recall when she first stepped onto water skis, as it happened in early childhood. Even before preschool age, her parents enrolled her first in figure skating, and then, when their daughter didn't take to it, in gymnastics, but none of it felt right. However, Anya experienced true joy when, after gaining the initial basics, at the age of 7, she came under the tutelage of Arkady Genov, an Honored Coach of Belarus. Arkady Nikolaevich, by the way, continues to guide his talented student up the ladder of skill to this day, and naturally, it is to him that she is grateful for all her achievements.

Water skiing was different: both exciting and varied training sessions, and new sensations. And when you are doing what you love, the results are sure to follow. Over time, victories began to come, and not just in Belarus.

2012 became a triumphant year for the athlete. In the USA, she debuted at one of the most prestigious world tournaments – the "Masters". And her performance, as eyewitnesses recall, caused a real sensation among specialists: the newcomer in the girls' competition took second place in jumping. This was followed by a victory at the European Junior Championship in boat skiing and immediately three silvers: in slalom, tricks, and overall. At the adult World Championship – 2nd place in boat skiing jumping. The prospects for both the athlete and the coach seemed the brightest…

A Test of Will and Spirit

And then came a dark period: a relapse of a previously sustained injury (a fracture of the right foot and subsequent development of arthritis). For a year, she competed on sheer willpower, overcoming the ailment, even though it was painful just to walk. Unfortunately, domestic doctors offered no comforting prognoses, predicting lameness.

Then, the initiative was taken by the daughter of the second honored coach of the country, Vladimir Genov – Natalia, the founder and head of the German company "EuroMedical", which, by its nature of activity, establishes contacts between athletes and medical centers and clinics. She organized Anya's examination by Western specialists. They made an unambiguous diagnosis, and in 2013, in a center in Nuremberg, she underwent a 3-hour surgery, as a result of which two bones of her foot were fastened with titanium staples. Financial assistance was provided by veterans of Novopolotsk water skiing living in the USA.

It is understandable that the postoperative rehabilitation process is long, however, thanks to her perseverance, the girl performed a miracle. After only six months, overcoming the pain, she began to train, gradually increasing the loads. Her parents, and naturally Arkady Nikolaevich, helped her greatly psychologically, who, like Anna herself, did not even consider the possibility of having to leave big sports.

If 2013 was mainly spent on special recovery sessions, then in 2014 there was a comeback, and what a comeback! In her signature jumps from the ramp, Anya took 3rd place at the European Championship under 21, although with a favorable turn of events, she could have won "gold". "Only one medal in a year," – nevertheless, the water skier sincerely laments, not realizing that just competing was a real feat.

The best in the world – our Anya!

Last year was more than successful for the athlete. The foundation was largely laid by full-fledged winter training camps, during which she and her coach honed elements from the old repertoire and learned new figures. Subsequent tournaments showed that the chosen course was correct. The July World Youth Championship under 21 in Spain proved to be successful, where our compatriot won "gold" in ramp jumping and "silver" in the overall competition. And later, at the European Championship among adults, she became the absolute champion in the trick skiing, won "silver" in ramp jumping, and "bronze" in figure skating.

Yes, today this charming girl is not yet recognized on the streets and asked for autographs (And I asked her to do it for my local newspaper). In my impression, she is not at all subject to the notorious star syndrome, combining competitions with studies at the sports and pedagogical faculty of Polotsk State University. Who will she become in the future? Without looking ahead, the girl from Novopolotsk notes that for now her thoughts are only about the upcoming competitions. As they say, she is not going to rest on her laurels. She plans to achieve the highest results in traditional boat racing competitions as well. At the last World Championship in Mexico, she took 8th place. But is this a bad result for a "youth" age athlete?!

By the way, in the annotation to the honorary title, the international federation notes: "2015 was the year of Anna Streltsova. As a young skier, she demonstrated her talents from season to season, then briefly disappeared from view due to injury. This year, she proved that she has returned to the ranks of the strongest, ready to take the victorious baton from the previous generation. Give her a chance to participate in more competitions, and you will see her at the top of all rankings." And there is really nothing to add to the opinion of the professionals!

P. S. Anna Streltsova's latest achievement has become a wonderful gift to the Novopolotsk water ski school, which is celebrating its half-century anniversary this year. It is a pity that due to technical reasons (major renovation of the "Sadko" swimming pool), the international tournament in memory of its founder, Nikolai Genov, had to be postponed to the summer and held on a natural body of water this year. And the season starts in May at the Lyukhovo lake in Novopolotsk, where the Belarus Cup will be held. Anya will also participate in it. We believe that this year will be even more successful for our rising star than the previous one.

Ales Byonkov. Photos by Ales BYONKOV, Vitebskiye Vesti