Interview With Gymnast Vivien Wehovszky

Vivien Wehovszky, a former member of the Hungarian National Team of Rhythmic Gymnastics gave an interview to Dániel Csuja where she shared insights about the life of a top-level gymnast, her opinions on the sport and plans for the future.

Tell us something about your family!

My family loves sports. It wasn’t even a question for me whether to do sports or not. My mom started with ballet so I did that too, but I didn’t like it too much. On a special day in Kindergarten I was chosen to try out rhythmic gymnastics. I fell in love with this sport the moment I stepped foot in the hall. Luckily my family supported me, no matter the sport of my choice. Although we don’t have any professional athletes in the family, the love of sport is still present.

What did you not like about ballet? Many girls dream of becoming ballerinas.

Ballet is actually one of the bases of rhythmic gymnastics, but I craved for more. Somehow rhythmic gymnastics seemed to be - even at the time - a bigger and more exciting challenge.

Did anyone ever tell you “okay it’s a beautiful sport but you should focus on school”?

To tell the truth, studying has always been important for me. My parents saw that I can manage to do both so there was no pressure to choose between school and sports. I could fit both into my daily regime. I was homeschooled in high school so I could study in an efficient way with plenty of time.

Let’s talk about your life as an athlete. Did you ever have conflict with the coaches?

Everyone has good and less good qualities. I am always trying to focus - even to this day - on the positive sides of each person.

To be honest I liked to train with all of my coaches. I think I always did my best but sometimes even that wasn’t enough. In these moments I was sad, but I didn’t let that get to me and I always enjoyed being corrected, then complimented.

Do you think a coach needs to encourage or demand?

Personally I always thrived when I was encouraged. If someone is demanding me to do something I just can't give my all. I love to create my own tasks because that is what drives me as an athlete. Due to these reasons I prefer encouragement over aggressive demands.

When you were receiving critique, could you distinguish the personal criticism from the professional criticism? If you ever experienced it.

Honestly I never separated the critiques I got, but when I became a student at the University of Physical Education I started to realize which observations are important for the sport and which ones are a product of a personal problem that I do not need to be offended by.

What kind of special state of mind is necessary for rhythmic gymnastics?

You have to be really strong mentally! There is an academic Hungarian article stating that the lack of mental strength is one of the main reasons for giving up. Many stop the sport because they cannot handle a common element of training, which is working under a high stress environment. Actually more people give up because of this and not because they cannot handle it physically. It is too much mentally!

How can one mentally manage the hard training?

I always focused on doing as much as I can on the specific day, so whatever happened I felt that I could achieve everything I was planning to do.

Do you think there is a way to train more efficiently? There are many rhythmic gymnasts in the room! Would it be possible to do 4 hours of training instead of 6-8 hours but with 150%?

I don’t think you can do half the hours but I believe you can spend less time on the mat. Perhaps you can train less according to the principle of “less is more”. For example there are countries training the same hours as everyone else but developing faster. “Everything depends on a well planned training plan”- is a quote I learnt at the University of Physical Education.

What is the situation in Hungary regarding the quality of training?

Hungarians are trying to implement more modern training techniques - which is undeniably visible in the results - but the training plan is really far from noticeably helping to compete with the best. However it is clear to me that there are many talented young gymnasts. We have a sizable new generation!

Training can come with plenty of soreness, pain and injury. Did you experience any?

Of course. I had something hurting at every day, I had many injuries. But I am a professional athlete, I represent my country and as long as my body can move, there cannot be a big problem. Something for something. I have a high tolerance of pain.

What do you need for a good team?

Solidarity, respect for one another, you need to be grateful and helpful. Perhaps it is the most difficult to bond with completely opposite personalities. That is why it is important for everyone to respect the others while bringing out the best from themselves individually. Then you will have a common voice and body!

What are the most important criterias at a competition?

It is essential to block out the outside world and focus on the 13x13 m2 mat. I always tried to experience the routine in slow motion so that I could pay attention to every little detail. One thing is certain: you cannot wink at the audience.

Did you have any low moments? Is it better to let out your sadness or uncertainty?

Of course I had, but I am a person who does not like to show or tell if they have a problem. I do not want to be pitied, and I also know very few people who can truly understand me and be selfless enough to help. I always try to remain positive and enjoy what I do.

How was your sleeping schedule?

I wasn’t so good at resting... I am still bad at it now! Most days I was studying until the sun came up. Besides these moments I tried to aim for 7 hours of sleep if it was possible. However, this “workaholic attitude” remained in me, because I cannot relax not even today! It would be nice if someone taught me how to let loose and do nothing.

What are your dreams for the future?

I can tell you my plans. I would like to stay close to sports. But I have no specific future goals. I am a little indecisive because I have so many different dreams! I am trying to connect with people who have a good vision on sports and live with a perspective similar to mine. If they can tell me what would be a great challenge for me, that would be amazing! I received some guidance this year but I am sure I will get more signs from “up there” on where to proceed.

What kind of directions did you look at?

I would like to get to know many more different sports from an outside perspective. But I have no firm plans yet. I love researching, finding correlations and solving problems. If life allows me I would like to do a rhythmic gymnastics focused PhD. This is one of my big dreams.

Do you have any goals in your personal life?

I think that recently I finally started focusing on my private life as much as on my projects and profession. It is not easy. Growing up as an elite athlete I cannot relate too much with the current “youthful” lifestyle of partying, never stopping and going around for no reason. But I love to talk with people who I look up to!

But this is the time to party! Do it while you are young!

According to my birth year I am, but age is just a number. Honestly over 18 years of sport experience I had many impulses that allowed me to “go crazy”. I am actually a little tired from the constantly exhausting lifestyle. I desire more to live as a true adult so that I can benefit on my own from all the lessons I’ve learnt.

I prefer to further educate myself instead of partying, because I would love to find the career path that is perfect for me.

And of course I would love a great husband and family that lasts forever. I see my future unfold like this. Even an exciting life cannot have everything in it!