No excuses: "Spirit in Motion" - An interview with the captain of the Russian national disability-kicker Alexander Gromov
A Life Inspiration / / December 19, 2019
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- Hello Sasha! Welcome to Layfhaker!
- Hi, Nastya!
- Tell us about your childhood.
- He was born, grew up and still live in Moscow. One child in the family. Family quite intelligent: Mom - obstetrician, dad - an astrophysicist.
- You've been diligent boy with good grades?
- Not really. Good grades were in subjects that interest and easy to give. For example, in a foreign language. Also, one time excelled in chemistry. But when left a good teacher, the interest faded.
Generally, in childhood and adolescence I was largely nihilists: do what you like.
- What did you have after-school hobbies?
- A computer. The father in the Institute they appeared quite early. To work at home, he brought one. I'm sick computer, especially games.
Therefore, as an active gamers in the past, I can say that it is not necessary to prohibit children computer games. First, the ban - it is useless. Limit can be, but is not prohibited. Secondly, the game - a way to discharge emotions and the ability to find someone with the same interests. Third, they are well tighten English. Personally, I have become skilled in the language it is in games and then went to the courses.
- A sport is not fond of?
- Paradoxically, no. Physical education and did not like football in the yard did not drive. At that time, the sport has not developed, and I do not think that'll be him involved.
Hope
- What profession you choose?
- After school, I went to study in medical school pediatric faculty. Parents do not limit me to the choice, but since I did not have serious preferences, I decided to do what the parents involved. He stopped on the medicine. It's working with people, and so interesting.
I became a pediatric otolaryngologist. He passed residency and unlearn year in graduate school.
- Until the accident happened?
- Yes, in 2007 I got in an accident - a bad fall from a motorcycle. Year in hospitals: a little back "repaired". Then rehabilitation center "Overcoming".
- As a doctor, you understand the seriousness of their situation?
- I'm not a doctor, but also people. Yes, education allowed objectively evaluate the situation. But psychologically, I took the same step, that's all.
The first year I was absolutely certain: a little bit more, and I'll go.
It is a good idea - it helps to work.
But gradually I came to realize I'm not going.
- Did you lose hope?
- It sounds like something very sad. :) I just realized and accepted that fact. It is possible to proceed to the next stage - adaptation to switch to other interests.
There is a US TV series Push Girls. It is about four girls who were injured back and trapped in a wheelchair. In it there is a great phrase:
Value of bipedal locomotion is greatly exaggerated.
By and large it is. Everything can be adapted. With the right hardware you can do almost anything.
kicker
He fusbol aka table football - a game that was invented in the 20s of the twentieth century.
- Sasha, what the kicker?
- This is a game where a small table placed strung on rods football figures. You need to rotate the bar to score goals in the opponent's net.
At first glance - simply nowhere. But when you play by the rules, and most importantly - with people who are seriously engaged in this sport, you realize that everything is not so simple. For the first time he sat down at the table, you can feel easy even cognitive dissonance: the figures seem to be here, that's the gate, here balls, but nothing worked. You encircle like a child.
- How did you get to this sport?
- The first time was in the "Overcoming" I was lucky with a neighbor in the ward. He at that time was exactly the same situation: the same injury, same period. of procedure, but it is necessary and fun. In the center was already a table football table, and my neighbor and then dragged me to play, "Shura, go, Shura, let's go." And I was involved.
Then he assembled a team. Began to carry out internal and external championships.
- These tournaments have brought you to the world championship in France?
- Yes.
First there was the Moscow championship. There, my companion and I barely won. We lost the very first game. Fortunately, the scheme has been to two defeats. Gathered, we beat all and reached the final. In the final meeting with the same opponents who leaked the first game. We walked the ball into the ball and miraculously pulled out a victory. It allowed us to get a ticket to France.
There we learned what a serious kicker. We met with the people who really suffer from them. Prior to that, I treated it as a hobby: Well, men, well, balls, well, cool.
But when he saw the adult bearded uncles, weeping from the defeats and victories, saw the emotions of spectators standing nearby, screaming and suffering, I realized that this is a real sport.
I hooked it a lot.
- They took the award from France?
- We took the second place. But here it worked the principle of "beginners luck". At that time, our level of play was much inferior to the European team.
- How is the kicker for people with disabilities from the ordinary?
- Almost nothing. Technically, we can play with people without disabilities. But there are two big but - it's tables and rules of procedure. We have adapted the tables. Conventional above sitting behind them can not see anything and uncomfortable twist of the handle. A person without disabilities can play at our table, but not as part of the competition. Indeed, under the rules of the athletes must be in equal conditions. We can play as regular tables (for example, using the standing frame), but it is troublesome and, again, it is hardly possible under the current rules.
- A person with any kind of disability can play kicker?
- Seriously, unfortunately, no. It depends on the degree of hand function. For example, it is unlikely to succeed professionally engaged in a person with a severe form of cerebral palsy or sheynika. But as a hobby table football accessible to everyone. This is a great pastime!
- Now you're headed the Russian national team kicker among people with disabilities. What do you need today?
- Two things.
First, mass. There are teams where a lot of players. For example, the Italian national team. A number, as is known, necessarily becomes quality. We, unfortunately, are still quite modest in size team. Although kicker community is incredibly positive. But the small number of directly connected with the second problem.
Secondly, there are no places for meetings and training sessions, as well as the points where people could just try. For example, people without disabilities are often familiar with the kicker in bars. Company comes to the cafe, there is a table, "Oh! What is it? And let's try? ". Many serious athletes started in this way.
For people with disabilities, these places do not have. In fact, the only place where people can try table football - is a rehabilitation center. But there did not all return. Need clubs where people would be able to have fun and spend time informally compete at the same time.
- In the regions play kicker?
- Disability-kicker is concentrated in Moscow. The fact is that in the province of the problems I have mentioned (the absence or inaccessibility of sites for the game and the small number of players), more acute.
The new table game is worth about 40-50 thousand rubles. Given that nothing but the premises are no longer necessary, it is inexpensive. Roughly speaking, any rehab or social organization can afford to organize kicker club. But you need to spend with them a serious explanatory work. Because management can find this indulgence: "Better we spend money on something more serious, such as a fitness machine." In the future, I plan to address this trend, as the inter-regional tournaments - it's cool!
- How often are training the national team?
- Once a week. Most of the players work. We can not only deal with table football: will not live. As a rule, we meet at the weekend, when there is free time and no traffic jams.
Spirit in motion
- Who do you work for?
- sports organizer in the center "Overcoming".
Prior to that, he worked in the organizing committee "Sochi-2014".
- How did you get there?
- There was a position open. I was offered to go to work. I thought, why not? Went and looked, there was more than equipped place, beautiful room. We shook hands. I passed the interview, and I was accepted.
I worked there for a year. By the way, there have learned about the movement Paralympic torchbearers. I filed an application to become one of them.
- Enjoyed the Paralympics?
Sochi - it's an incredible feeling!
I do not expect to be so cool. We walked out of the Olympic Village on the "Fischt" at the opening ceremony of a dense crowd. But locals say that the people at the Olympics was more. "A lot more?" - I thought. At the stadium, I saw all these 40 thousand people from the top (we sat on the highest bleachers), and they were all happy! They laughed, let the waves. Nothing like I've ever seen!
Contrary to all the skeptics say that the Olympics and Paralympics - it's cool! This is something that brings people together.
- That is the money spent?
- Working in the organizing committee, I realized that the Olympic Games - is a big collective work. There are a bunch of standards that must be met. They have accumulated over the years, this really work all over the world. I am glad that we were able to participate in this whole country that could, it pulled.
As for the money, as well as with tables for the kicker, there will always be people who believe that there are more important goals.
But the sport - a goal more than worthwhile.
In my opinion, it is fired at 110%. Just look at how to transform Sochi.
- Yes, there is much to do with the point of view of a barrier-free environment. And how to do things in Moscow?
- Very good. Of course, it makes no sense to compare with the same France - it is heaven and earth. But if you look at what it was five years ago and there is now, Moscow has become much friendlier to people in wheelchairs. Still a lot of work ahead, but progress pleases.
- The heroine of the previous interview, clever and beautiful Daria Kuznetsova, Told me that you ride in a wheelchair in the subway... Is it true?
- I go! But others do not advise! :)
- Why?
- In the capital, there is a subway since the 1930s. The problem is the same with all the old objects - the metro is not equipped. New stations with elevators, but their unity. I go where there are no stairs and escalators - have the strength and skill. But to recommend someone to navigate the subway without a person I can not.
- Sasha, what do you dream about?
- To my team and I were the best in the world! Football - important and favorite part of my life.
Become a number 1 - it is worth to work. It's fun and pretty darn cool.
Everything else I have. I am a happy man. :)
- And do you have a motto?
- Spirit in motion - in the spirit of the movement. This is the motto of the Paralympic community.
- Wish anything Layfhakera readers?
Sitting on the couch - it's boring! After a couple of days makes the brain - become a vegetable. It is not necessary to do so. Move - in this life! Do anything but move forward!
- Thank you, Sasha! It was very interesting!
- You are welcome! Mutually! :)