KPV - Who will become the second Isinbayeva?
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 12:37 am
I ran across an article this evening that I thought others might find interesting. I wasn't completely sure whether it belonged here or in one of the "proto-elite" forums, but eventually decided that Volik's results are sufficiently elite-ish for here.
Last week Komsomolskaya Pravda – Volgograd wrote:Who will become the second Isinbayeva?
Marina NIKOLAYEVA – 7 February 2006
Is it possible to bring up at least one such jumper in Russia, like the record-girl Yelena Isinbayeva? The fans are asking this question.
Especially as Isinbayeva herself may completely lose interest in the sport. She jumps so high, that she competes only against herself at every start... "Flying" Lena has already long been not only "number one" on the Russian team, but also in the world rankings of light athletics. And she continues to stamp out records.
"Pushing" the queen from her throne has thus far been impossible for anyone. And it’s unlikely to occur in the next couple of years. Muscovite Svetlana Feofanova and the Krasnodar jumper Tatiana Polnova, in spite of good results and past honors, are unlikely to achieve such a breakthrough, due to age and injuries.
But a counterbalance for Isinbayeva, oh how necessary: there is considerable doubt that Yelena will continue to defend the honor of Russia and Volgograd. Stories frequently appear in the press that aggressive Italians offer the girl solid pay in exchange for replacing her sport citizenship. Thus far Isinbayeva proudly rejects these proposals, but man is weak...
Therefore all hopes of the training staff of team Russia lay upon our young athletes. Here the senior trainer of the team, Yevgeny Trofimov, decided to take the matter into his own hands. He conducted his first inspection of pole vaulters from the 1987 - 1989 generation at the Russian Junior Championships in the facilities of the Volgograd academy of physical culture. 11 girls participated. However, after 3.90 meters only six remained in competition.
"Komsomolka" decided to look more closely at the young ladies. We particularly noted four vaulters. Thus far they are taking their first steps, but maybe one of them will successfully rival, and possibly astonish, even Yelena Isinbayeva.
Valeria Volik, 16 years
Krasnodar
International class master of sport
Personal best – 4.40 meters
Just a little over 16, Valeria displays practically adult results.
On 19 January at the YFO championship in the Kuban pit she took the phenomenal height for her age - 4 meters and 40 centimeters, smashing the Juniors record of Volgograd’s Isinbayeva by 20 centimeters. In Volgograd Lera again established a record, this time among girls of the 1989 generation. She took "gold" and 4.25 meters with her first attempt. Moreover for almost a month Lera has been training with Isinbayeva’s exercises. They make it possible to eliminate flaws in technique and to achieve large heights.
Marina Orlova
18 years
Moscow
Master of sport
Personal best – 4.00 meters
Marina displayed her most successful leap precisely at this championship in Volgograd: she took 4.00 meters on her first attempt and became second in the competition of vaulters. Orlova’s previous personal record was 3.90 meters, set during July of 2005 at the “Edward Grigoryana Memorial" competition.
She is making progress, but Yevgeny Trofimov noted flaws in the jumper’s technique and a lack of stability.
Anna Zhidkova
18 years
Moscow
International class master of sport
Personal best – 4.10 meters
Anya reliably tops out at 3.80 – 3.90 meters. However, she has cleared the height of 4.10 one time - at the sports clubs Cup during July of 2005 in Tula. Nevertheless the girl shows a good technique and she was able to gain the attention of the team’s chief trainer. In Volgograd Anya occupied 3rd place with a result of 3.90 meters.
Outstanding numbers and steady progress, but Yevgeny Trofimov believes that Muscovites must be completely concentrated on the sport, in contrast to Volgogradki, since the temptations of the large city interfere.
Maria Pastukhova
18 years
Volgograd
International class master of sport
Personal best – 4.10 meters
At the Juniors championship Masha solely represented the Volgograd school. This time Pastukhova managed only 3.90 meters and secured fourth place.
In spite of outstanding conditions for training and suitable sport numbers, Mary has not succeed in completely realizing her potential.
Expert’s opinion
Yevgeny Trofimov, senior trainer of the women's pole vaulting team:
- Earlier I worked only with the adult team. Only today did I get to see the Juniors in action. I have a very pleasant impression of them: I see a good future and lots of potential in Volik and Zhidkova. Olympic prospects. I’m very happy. However, it’s possible to note that the other two girls are not all that smooth. Too unstable.
