Kateryna, how did you come to sport?

I graduated from the Kharkiv Academy of Physical Education as "Trainer-researcher". And in active sport I came when on some regional competitions I was noticed by Vadim Krasov. He suggested me to do armwrestling seriously.

Then I started swimming. I achieved great results. I am became world champion, European record holder in Ukraine. I participated in the Paralympic Games, where showed good results. But armwrestling is much closer to me.

Now I continue to swim, but it is just to keep myself fit.

Is an armwrestling for disabled people developing in Ukraine?

There are people who are doing it, but not very much. Especially it is a sport for which needs some money investments, but the government can not fund it at a sufficient level, so the athlete should invest their money. For some athletes it is impossibly high amount.

Paralympic Committee did not support us, but cooperation is discussed.

Naturally, we have armwrestling championships for the disabled; the last one was in Kharkiv.

Do you have any particular training session?

I'm doing the same thing as healthy sportsmen, but at the table for the disabled. I also fight with healthy.

Do you think it justified the division of championships for healthy and for people with disabilities?

I believe that this should not be done. Between us there is no difference. It seems to me that if our championships will be held in conjunction with championships for healthy, the more people will see it, more people could be interested. Also we could find more sponsors. Also from the standpoint of convenience, I believe that separate championships are much expensive.

Are you happy with your results?

To be honest, not really. But this is my first championship, so I know what to work on.

АК