Karelin’s Handshake

... Once in humorous broadcast «OSP-Studio» Alexander Karelin was asked to demonstrate one of the wrestling techniques. Karelin said - «O’k» and shook anchorman’s Sergei Belogolovtsev hand, shook so hard, that it seemed that anchorman’s bones have crunched . «This is first wrestling position, - commented Karelin - each encounter, as training so competitional, begins with a handshake, strong, confident, because each of the opponents demonstrates in the first approaching his standards, his determination to win ...

Strong handshake is not always the «demonstration» of strength... Symbol of «Karelin’s Fund» is stylized image of a handshake, it has a simple allegory which means the hand of help to like-minded persons and colleagues of Karelin, to children and adolescents, for whom competitions, joint training sessions, meetings with famous athletes are held and free sports schools and sections work. When the history of the Fund has begun, Karelin was 25 years old, someone will think «yet», someone - «already». At the age of 25 years, he was already twice a winner of the Olympic Games, three times world champion, he has been already recognized as the best wrestler of the world. He was noticed by the producers of Hollywood, was invited to the screen test ... just philistine question: how the young men can had so much strength and energy to be convincing not only at the wrestling carpet, but also to attract attention and to unite different people around himself, among whom were as peers so people with great life experience, people who has done much in their life ... An ordinary person will say - Lucky!

... Lucky, smiling, Alexander Karelin, of course, meeting with Viktor Kuznetsov has changed my life, so he invited to attend this section of Greco-Roman wrestling Novosibirsk Electrotechnical Institute (now the Novosibirsk State Technical University).

Have you found, what you were looking for?
I liked it at once, unconditionally. Remember in details my impressions– the huge, light playing hall of NSTU, in comparison with those, where I tried to engage in other sports there was striking contrast. Expanse that what was such attracted. At the first train my Viktor Mikhailovich said simple words to me: “If you want to achieve something in wrestling, you must not miss trainings”. And the second utterance which is stuck in my memory is “Start the bout with hands and, as will work.”

«Start with hands» is an interesting phrase, is it wrestling lexicon?
- The expression is «wrestling» lexicon, but it is true not only for sport. It expresses purposefulness, thoroughness approach to dealing with any, even, at first glance, impossible tasks. Life also presents us with obstacles and opponents, how to bout with them? The history of the development of the world, philosophical thought has a lot of these tips, some of their allegorical is something that attracts attention, gives us the opportunity to adapt these messages from the past for the reality. «No Gods pots burnt», «Goer is able to manage the road» - from the same kinds of statements about belief in the correct chosen of the way, of hard work, of a willingness to serve.

In terms of application «start with hands» - means no fuss on the mat, to act on the bout plan, which coach has designed, not to rush, methodically «attack» the opponent hands, sooner or later he can not survive and will miss a par terre or bring the opponent to the ground, or execute a throw. And as before, and on the current rules -«Iron» score and a real opportunity to gain more points is to down, pulling the opponent on the «reverse body lock».

San Sanych when you fought, it seemed that it was so easy, without any strain, may be that is the reason why many boys are engaged in wrestling. You get the feeling that everything is simply –take a hold of hand, execute a par terre, and bring him to the ground or execute the throw, but there are thousands of these guys, but there is only a few of world champions, champions of Europe, and the winners of the Olympics . Why? Are the words that everyone can become a champion just a metaphor?
There are several objective reasons for this. The first is the coincidence of coach’s talent with pupil’s hard work and faith, this is a very rare combination. At the initial stage, more chances to those who have this match. This is a complementary state. One element is the coach, confident in his correct technique, the other is the pupil who put enormous credibility ... The second reason is that you can take the most advanced methodology, but it is not suitable for genetic, functional condition standards of boys and girls. The third reason is psychological readiness and willingness to get results. There is such that the materials of many great athletes contain «luster», as Gaius Julius Caesar at: «Came, saw, win!». It does not happen like that. When the young man away from the «romance» of new impressions, when the mentor becomes more demanding, and here comes «breaking» of «pink images», children drop out of the section, go in searching for something new where they can still show themselves. Much depends on what language the coach and athlete communicate. The language of reproaches is not productive and sometimes forming of hard, competitive challenges will not lead to self-realization. To find a balance is a huge success and a happy coincidence. Not everyone can go a long way of samples, mistakes, overcomes, and that's OK, that is life. And about the fact that «Everyone can become a champion», it is normal motto, in the absolute, any boy or girl can follow it.. But in practice, it is relate to children from the national team. The President of Wrestling Federation of Russia, the winner of the Olympic Games Michael Mamiashvili when he is asked for how many medals he counted with respect to the World Cup, European, Olympic Games, has always said: «We put the best athletes in all weight categories» ... In all times representatives of the national schools dominated the bout, the cause is as in techniques, so in physical and personal qualities of our wrestlers. Victory for us - it is matter of honor, because people hope for you, believe in you.

And in the case whether not everybody can become GREAT Champions is it worth to break a spear?
– It is worth. Man is born to struggle, we have immune system. This is a manifestation of the struggle with external factors, so that trains and mobilizes the forces of the body. It is worth to break spears, because sport is one of the most effective forms of education. For parents, it is an opportunity without the notations, without the pressing effect on the child’s psyche, without unnecessary words to inculcate respect in the work, in general, any physical costs. From my personal experience having started to train regularly, I realized that learning is easier, as is an understanding, you begin to appreciate what used to refer as the proper.

For the guys, a legend has to be, but this does not mean that it has to be «refined image». Just when you come to the hall, you should understand that you are given a chance to get in touch with something huge and large-scale. In a typical room, two hundred people are involved in training, a group of 20 - 30 people, seem to be a few. But in fact, it is a great team, the community, if you want, in our case wrestlers. The community with its heroes, the legendary personalities, a huge Army with strong, spiritually and physically people ... SPORTS gives children and teenagers the opportunity to be in this big family.

I remember after the elections to the State Duma during trips, at meetings with strangers, who approached, shake hand, told with pride that engaged in wrestling in their childhood and that had gap, candidates in the master of sport. Here is the answer to the question «Is it worth to break spears?» -- They take pride in their ownership, they demonstrate that we can communicate the same language, that we have the same ideas about morality, responsibility, about how to solve problems and achieve results, and they demonstrate the willingness to engage in constructive dialogue. And so the wrestling is interesting that we are considering not to pressure of circumstances, but are raising the quality to make the circumstances of its own. Flexibility is appropriate, but only in the choice of approaches in seeking for solutions. When I began to train Viktor Mikhaylovich had already had the experience in training for 20 years, but he never pressed with credibility, cliches, he did not flirt with students, had not been as categorically harsh so too sentimental. He advised to try this or that hold. There was few heavyweights wrestler who did «reverse body lock» before I did it, but it was «reverse», which became my business card, as was written in the newspapers. Even from the point of efficiency «reverse» with good amplitude gave 5 points advantage, the two «reverse» gave net technical victory, quickly and beautifully, you just need to «overdo» twice. Rationalism in the distribution of forces on the distance is from the first bout until the final. Frankly speaking, sometimes one throw was enough, rarely some of the opponents wanted to «fly from the second floor» for several times. Sometimes, they were throwing by themselves, though with ambition, and physical qualities, each of them had everything all right.

As a response to a question there is another example. A person can become not a great champion, but will become a master. For the second decade of the world are actively developing wrestling veteran movement, the national championship, world championships are held. Why do many re-engage in older age, because they are able to assess their feelings, they understand how they are feeling well after the exhausting workout, as the head is unloaded when the body is abuzz. They are ready to give up Friday night parties, because that Saturday morning we'll have to go to practice, their lives, like in youthfulness is subordinated to regime, preparing for the competition, and discipline - this is the best assistant in achieving results. The category of veterans starts with 35 years of age and the oldest participant may be under 80 years ...

San Sanych, what if evil fate will disturb to realize the dream?
- FATE ... FATE hears only the voices of strong people and it is obviously, one does not come to wealth, happiness, and success lying on the couch, he must shout until being heard and noticed. Fate is evil because it likes surprises, and it has its reasons to account for each of us. In the rest do not advise anyone to complain to life. “Evil Fate” is just beautiful word-phrase, a cliche. I remember once in 1998, we traveled at night along the road Novosibirsk - Tomsk, came along the «star rain», we were watching for that phenomenon for three hours, one friend of my said to me: «Sanych, it is beautiful, and it is possible to think of a lot of wishes...». Of course it is, but it is impossible to make omelet without breaking eggs. There is another cliche that is “Fortune favors the brave”. If you want any chance to notice you and stuck to you, you should mobilize as much as possible. It all depends on how we use the chance we have, I will let the metaphor here: “someone get the staff, burns it and warms, but someone relies on it until the end of life”, the second option is preferable for me. Save what you have, prevailed momentary weakness, overcome, assembles.

Categorically...!

– And as you want, it is like in sports, everything is literally and categorically. Everybody says now, «the crisis, the crisis», we see the result, but do not want to understand the reasons. The world economy have been living on credit for a long time, and it corrupts, remember «pyramids» of 90th years, a similar situation on a global scale. The one who will work and move will survive. The crisis is in the people’s heads. On the other hand, a great time to remove the husk, it is necessary to live within our means, there are a lot of things what we are genetically not used to. If you want to live rather than exist, you have to react rather than reflect, loading more responsibility, more work. And do not stop at achievements, not to fall into idleness. History goes on the circle; there are a lot of models for imitation in all areas of human life.

How about you experience, have you ever had such a feelings that you have won everything that you could, that it is time to relax, let the other train, bout, “break”?
– I have had, but in the very slight form and for very short time, at least, I am a human being. In my case, all four of the Olympic periods were not similar to each other. Before the first Olympiad I had to win a place in the team, the competition with a world champion Igor Rostorotskiy had raised, it was difficult, but very interesting. After Barcelona I was having such thoughts that I’ve done. Before the Olympic Games in Atlanta, I had the clearest condition, I ran, wrestled, born all work easily. In 1995, a week after the World Cup, in Novosibirsk « Karelin’s Prize » was held. The final bout with American Met Ghaffar I won clearly, pulled out at the «reverse». There were 14 thousand spectators at the stadium for 7 thousand seats, the excitement, energy, the room is mad, such an emotional rise ... Then the physical condition went the other way. Easiness has gone. The understanding of the value of regular trainings, of each drop of sweat came. And I did not want to stop and surrender, wanted to prove that previous victories were not just lucky chance, but the result of hard work, the embodiment of the methodology of the coach. In 1996, I came to Europe as a favourite, and after that was as they say «the sound was turned off», I was hurt in the semifinal, but there was no second and third participants after me, that is why I didn’t «removed» and deprived the information space of sensation. Did not lose the final European Championship of the year 1996.

The third Olympics I won just with one left hand, the right arm did not recover after the injury, and that was such an astonishing feeling. If it turned over like that, means that Victor Michailovich laid the «concrete» foundation, which allows you to be persuasive on the mat, even after harmful injury. Of course, my doctor Valery Okhapkin helped and friends who supported. And here I am the current athlete, we have fund and tournaments that gather thousands of boys, we have friends on the team who willingly support these ideas, come to us, to Siberia, communicate and share their energy ...

The fourth period was the most interesting, very different condition, all the old injury were aggravated, double-sided perception of life was transformed into a unilateral, and right side, because of the injury of 1996, generally reverted to spare path. That is why I missed the European Championship of 1997, I has become more strictly to the nutrition questions, less creativity took place in my life, “the flight of thoughts” if you want. More disciplines that is regime… mathematics ... Although the postulate that trainings, national championships and other knock-out competitions should not be missed, remained indissoluble. Relationships «Kuznetsov - Karelin» has not been changed. So it was easier, and this is one of the reasons for long-standing in the national team. I have always had competitors in the team.To express themselves, they had just won, but I did not give them such a chance. There were such thoughts that I have ruined somebody’s career, I do not agree with it. First of all, everyone had an opportunity to confirm his ambitions on the mat, and secondly, we have the principle that is the following «we are competitors on the mat, but friends in real life». Winners may be hated, but they are respected, even by the most radical and tough opponents, because a victory is in the same rules.

In many interviews, you said that you are a product of the methodology of Viktor Kuznetsov, of his vision of Greco-Roman wrestling ...

- It is true, I will add, I am a product of Council countries, the great States of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. It was good in that country. There was propaganda in the time of our childhood, perhaps there was not an opportunity to spend our lives and energies to decide what books to read, movies to watch and to choose the life - everything was simple and categorical. You are in school or not, if you are in the school you bear any work (such as study groups, optional lessons, wall papers) or you are tottering along the streets without any work, everything was simpler ...

Simplier- does not mean worse?
To decide if it is “good” or “bad” you should look at the results. One actor of one of the movie, said something like: «It is better to be a good cleaner, than a bad writer or artist», everyone has his own horizon. It goes without saying the fact that the stages of social growth were put into people: «Octobrists», «Pioneers», and «Komsomols». It was good that parents were able to send their children to pioneer, sports, and labor camps. I do not remember who said: «The majority of people need to be MANAGED». There were less gaps for self-determination in the Soviet Union, the limits were stronger. I do not abuse or condemn somebody, I've seen in this situation more than good. Let this situation being hard, for the others it gave a chance to concentrate on only the point an achieve success in it. I know many examples of those who were not limited to stereotypes; they had more signs of prosperity. When we want to estimate the past, we have to understand that our modern life is different. The state is totally different, with another economy. Although, we have maintained the best methods of sport of the Soviet school, including the wrestling. Sometimes they say that we have fought, won for the «idea» in the USSR, but it is a lie, there were also promises in the Soviet Union (apartments, cars, household appliances). Now they have changed outside, they become «bulkier»; rewards become open and took formal nature. While preparing, for example, for the Olympics, an athlete knows what he can officially count on in the case of a victory. But according to my feelings, at the Olympics in Pekin, our winners and winners in the first place, did not think about the size of bonus, it is normal for an athlete to have an ambitious and selfish desire to become better at the Olympic Games. The desire to become the best led them to victory, and the fact that they understood that their relatives, friends, and hundreds of fans hope for them, believe in them…

There was such an image of well-being as jeans, chewing gum, boots…
And Japanese two-cassette recorder…after that automobile… That was such a system of values. When I first came to the USA in 1985 to take part in world championship, there were a lot of such things, and more over Americans had the opportunity to visit for about ten markets and to choose the good which they could afford. There were 50 radio stations such as rock, jazz, pop, they had absolutely different life. Americans were as patriots as we were, though they were full of everything. On the other hand the absence of any goods did not disturb us to be the best in sport. And it is not phenomenon , it is underlined the realization of sense of big sport, trains, competitions, results go the first, and values are important but after all. Any way the middle of 80’s were the years of cold war, the time of ideological dislocations, all the figures have succeeded in. In this context we can say that «Sport is the Ambassador of Peace». No political differences will not prevent foreign fans to proud, to happy for famous Russian athletes, and we also can evaluate the «beautiful game» of titled foreigners. That time we spent 14 days in Colorado Springs, in the national training center; we lived there, practiced and came out. The trip to the United States was an opportunity to observe human nature and the different characters, without «puppy’s» delight to all overseas, just observe and see the diversity of life.

San Sanych, but what is «cool» now, in your opinion?
- Cool ... cool to be strong, self-confident, intense, where there are worthy interlocutors that they share the same when the work is interesting ...

A guy with piercings, emo, goths is that cool?
- Yes, something similar has already been ... wide pants, piercing ears ... Before, it was even easier, in my time short haircut, a strong back, neck, hands were inadequate, something like pariah. Nobody wanted to notice that you are just strong, purposeful, self-confident person. I do consider that any external differences are at the point, if they mean something to you, give you spiritual and physical strength, but are not part of «decoration».

Is it necessary to clear up the informational space?
-Once I’ve been asked San Sanych, maybe it is better to enforce censorship? I think that censorship is not «our method», because «censors» are real people, and people may be too subjective, may be mistaken. Criterion for the «filter» is common sense. Now there are lots of «kinkies» and «dislocations». My favorite quote from Vladimir Pozner: «What is not on the TV, not in the life». It is not censorship that will help, but maximum representation of the full diversity of life in the media. Still we do not have enough equipment to make the public 50-60 channels, each of us can choose the topic of the soul corresponding to his perception. Campaign is well on the examples, here is a titled athlete, he is now an effective leader or a representative of legal power, so what can be achieved, being dedicated and hard working ... That's why we combine our Olympians, meet with children, joint exercises, to show that they were also children, naughty, sometimes disobedient, but they found themselves and became successful. Anyone who wants can try to walk this path, in any case, it will benefit, teach to work and appreciate the results of the work - such a personal example. Of course, pathos is not enough for all the advances had been seen a real man, your neighbor, a guy from a neighboring yard, who lived in the same conditions, worked, studied and made a lot of his work. We need Bylinas, need stories that would hand down!

How about classic literature? Can not it help?
- One friend of mine said: «Take all put in the bag, it will be hard to bear, you will throw unnecessary things». People should trust their feelings, to try it on the people they meet. Books simulated situations, but carry out absolutely everything is not always correct, it is necessary to be corrected.

And what does Alexander Karelin read books for?
I read, because thoughts that I trying to make, have already made, they are stronger, more concise, simpler, and easier. I love to quote - because I did not have to explain something long. Firstly you demonstrate that you are not the one who thinks in this way. It is pleasant to find support from of an honorable person; it means that you think in the right way. Secondly, you should not «repackage» thought, being the author.

Would you come to school to teach literature?
– I would, to exchange views on the works of Russian classics, for example, Chekhov, laconic in the form, but comprehensive in its content. Stories are very interesting and topical. Frankly speaking, as we speak about school, I do not agree with CSE (Common State Exam). In my opinion, it distorts our usual system of education; it has to be something average because education goes from word image associations is that what help to think. I think any of us remembers the first class rule: «zhi» - «Shi» write with the letter «i», «cha» - «shа» - with the letter «a» ... or, as we explained, the spelling of words men and women - both written because women boil cabbage soup, and men - do not boil, looks funny, naive, but very effective, as well as about «rat-bisector» and a Pythagorean pants ... This is not only a lesson of literature or mathematics, any form of exchange of views is interesting.

Are you often satisfied?
- Less than a time when bouting. But sometimes the heat becomes when you realize that someone has helped literally. It was in the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on Palm Sunday, a guy came up, thank you, he said that you helped to my father, I did not do this for this, I have just done it sometime ago, never combined somebody to help... I am sure if there is an opportunity to help, you should not restrain yourself. And not for the cause that “God pleased Charity and strengthens the will of the ruler» (quotation from the opera «Aida»), I do not think these way. For me, everything is easier - it is necessary to help those who are near. I remember, went to Children's Cancer Center in Moscow, there was lying a boy from Kaliningrad, it applied to the State Duma sent a letter to the request of a meeting. I came, we brought gifts, t-shirts, calendars, made pictures in memory and talked ... It's clear that my visit, in general, has not changed anything, but we brought joy, expressed the hope that it is not all that bad in this cruel world. As in the song «Fireplace» of the group «Time Machine» - «But in this hour everybody has become warmer». Another image is from “Karelin’s Prize”, that is a boy in the mix-zone, Andrei Morozov from Nizhny Novgorod region, he won in the finals, and he is standing with his lip split, breathing hard, still not moving away from the bout, giving interviews, saying that glad ... and he arrived in Omsk alone without the coach, to a stranger city ... That's the embodiment of the bout, the winner, a pleasure that gave the guy an opportunity, created the conditions that big talent revealed. I will have this episode in my mind for the rest of my life and I hope Andrew will have it too. Honestly, a pleasure is when our Olympic winners, have fought and won on «Karelin’s Prize» remember us with good word, it means that everything was not in vain.

We talk a lot about fate, about the system of guidance in life, how you can succeed, and what you «values» do you have?
- I think the value is the ability to enjoy life. The atmosphere, the results of work, relationships, everything should be valued. If you are not envious, but able to develop yourself on the basis of the experience of others - it is good. There is envy – this is scum, you should talk to those with whom connected. Tired of the communication then go to practice, runs cross, then refresh under the shower, wash soot, carbon leave the whole, along with fatigue. The pleasure of physical activity is addictive, serotonin is a hormone of joy, and it is not canceled. Only this is good «addiction», it does not dry the brains and the positive physiological and psychological effect accumulates. ... So just appreciate the sequence, the willingness to start with ourselves, it is necessary to treat life as a fact, every day can not go in the tank attack, where can we take so many tanks..?

It is easier to live for me, because of the classic wrestling, I believe in the correctness, absorbed and applied the experiences of many previous generations of coaches and athletes. Wrestling for me was the language of philosophy, in the absence of which we were sometimes criticized by journalists. This was not the evil, may want to put a wedge between the followers of the eastern arts and us. I began to engage in the hall, where the three times champion of the Soviet Union Veniamin A. Park trained karate, where the judokas were. My path is within the broad framework of concepts of single words of wrestling vocabulary: «start bout with arms», «burst from being tired», «brace yourself», «attack», «start with yourself».

There are a lot of such biting and powerful expressions in wrestling, they have the same meaning t - do not give up, do not pity myself. In days of old, the late Ian M. Dymov was writing about this, with no result gave the victory to those who maintained strength and was ostensibly more vigorously and fresh. Those who get up «breast wheel», «fire in the eyes», and no hint of fatigue, who have demonstrated a willingness to continue the bout, here the same, we return to the beginning of our conversation - «Fortune favours the brave »... hard work, self-discipline, daily sacrifice, the willingness to serve, ... all around a vertical, not in the sense of the landmark, and in relation to achieving the result that for the minute of weakness and cowardice you have no qualms about bombing the rest of your life, to be proud of it that stood under the yoke of the circumstances. Too right ... this is personal experience. One may argue, but you can take for granted ... then the practice will become the criterion of knowledge!

Konstantin Krouglyanskij («Karelin-Fund»)