KRISTINA KOCHETKOVA 27/01/1993
I was born in Tolyatti, Samara region. My coach was Natalya Kozlova, Honored Coach of Russia.
My professional sports career:
- Started training in the swimming pool from the age of 5
- Master of sports of international class in swimming
- Member of the Russian National Swimming Team in 2009 – 2014, member of CSKA in 2010 – 2014
- Three-time silver medallist of the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010
- Winner of the Russian Championship
- Finalist of the Gymnasiade in Qatar (Doha) in 2009
- Finalist of the European Championship in the Czech Republic in 2009
- Winner and multiple medallist of the Russian Cups
- Multiple winner of the Championships of Russia
- Participant of the European Championship in the Netherlands in 2011
- Winner of the Universiade in 2014
My whole life is connected with sports. Thanks to my grandmother, I started swimming at an early age. When I was 7, my training became more conscious, and at the age of 13 I left my home in order to concentrate on training and find myself in professional sports.
I can’t say that I was a talented athlete, I was rather highly motivated, hardworking and very stubborn. At the age of 16 I completed an international master of sports in swimming and got on the Russian national team. Up until the age of 21 I defended the honour of my country at Russian and international competitions.
My main goal was the Olympic Games in London in 2012, which still wasn’t reached. But my dream came true in part. I qualified for entry and was able to take part in the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, where I won three silver medals. After the Youth Olympiad, I could not cope with my psychological state and didn’t qualify for London. The Olympic Games in Singapore were the most successful start in my sports career. At 21 I retired from professional sports. I decided to quit because I lost my motivation. At that moment I didn’t have any support as such, so I decided to start all over again. A new chapter began in my life. I received a specialized education and began to train people.
A year later I realized that I had made the right choice. I love my job, I like to share my experience, inspire and motivate, learn something new. Later I decided to try to take part in open water swimming competitions. I swam distances of 10 and 14 km and I did well. Swimming in open water is not like swimming in a pool. In open seas or oceans you do not know what awaits you, what you may face. You need to be able to react quickly and make decisions. For me open water is about overcoming, patience, fighting my fears. Swimming still means a lot to me. I treat this sport with tenderness and great love.
My triathlon journey has been difficult. As soon as I started running I got a series of various injuries related to the musculoskeletal system. For about a year and a half I trained with breaks to recover from the injuries. During that period I often wanted to quit everything. There was a time when I felt pain with every step I took. I remember I came to the pool, swam only on my hands and cried. It seemed to me that water could take away my pain. But all tests are given for a reason. Difficulties should make us stronger. Over time I was able to overcome everything.
Now I train and systematically do triathlon myself. I have set certain goals for myself, which I want to achieve in triathlon. But in fact it doesn’t matter at all whether I can succeed, because I just love what I do and really get great pleasure from the process itself.
I have a lot of experience within the sports that I want to share with you. I’m glad to open the doors to my students in a fascinating and interesting sports world. Sports definitely build character and endurance, make us stronger, help to overcome challenges with ease and optimism, as well as to make decisions and take responsibility.
Triathlon training gives us a new horizon, opens up new growth opportunities and improves the quality of life and psychological state. Our whole life is made up of ups and downs. You don’t have to be afraid of defeat. Remember that each person has their own unique path. I believe that all the most important races take place within us and only internal victories over ourselves bring real satisfaction and help to find harmony. Create your own story! Believe in yourself! The impossible is possible!
