“You need to enjoy every moment you dedicate to this tournament.” Ambassador of the European Games 2023 Pavel Zamyatin

Honored Master of Sports of Ukraine, two-time WAKO kickboxing world champion, and Ambassador of the European Olympic Games 2023 — all these titles are united by one person. Pavel Zamyatin. Today, our champion is preparing to add another achievement to his list — victory at the upcoming European Games in Poland. As the athlete himself says, “It is already Olympic level”:

— In my opinion, the five rings are the main difference. You can name the tournament any way you like. But it is absolutely different to be in the Olympic family. To compete under the rings, even if it is the European Olympic Games and not the Olympics itself. You realize that not every athlete can even be a participant in such competition.

Українська версія інтерв’ю: “Треба отримувати задоволення від кожної миті, яку ти присвячуєш цьому турніру”. Амбасадор Європейських ігор 2023 Павел Замятін

We asked Pavel to tell us how the preparation for the European Games 2023 differs from, for example, the World Championship. He noted that they differ more psychologically:

— The level of competition is higher. Our top non-Olympic tournament — The World Games — is impressive. But, as for me, the European Games has a different format. Therefore, the pressure is more psychological. Unfortunately, the war continues. In addition, we have more attention from the media. For example, when you prepare for the World Championships, almost no one see or hear you. But when you are preparing for the European Olympic Games, you have a lot of interviews or, for example, you are invited to represent the official Olympic uniform (Earlier in June, Pavel Zamyatin and Darya Bilodid showed the uniform of the Ukrainian national team at the EuroGames, designed by the world-famous designer Ivan Frolov, who, among others, dresses Beyoncé and the first lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska — author’s remark). Yes, I love it. It’s cool. But you need to be able to combine work in the gym and work outside of it to popularize your sport.

As for the preparation, — continued Pavel, — mostly, we are doing the same work as usual, but in a slightly larger capacity. The only thing, so to speak the cry of the soul, is that I am the one representative of the tatami in the team, and I do not have enough sparring partners who can do the same work as my opponents do. It would be hard to set it all up. In particular, in the tactics. As for me personally and the coaches who help me prepare, we do everything possible that depends on us.

What do you think will help you win? What are your strengths?

— The first thing, I think, is the desire for this victory. And this victory should encourage those who wished for that but now are defending our country. I would like so much that they haven’t been in the places where they fight these days. However, unfortunately, I cannot change anything. I know that the war broke their plans. Therefore, I want to make them happy. I talk to a lot of my friends, and they said to me: “It’s okay, Paha, we’ll do the business here and then we’ll join you.” They are great guys, and they still have time. Only let them return alive and healthy. And then they will finish what they started!

Besides, I have my smart fights, at the expense of which I have to win. With personal trainers, we will develop tactics for each fight, and work for the victory. In general, this is a desire. Altogether, I want to win.

It is worth noting that a large team of trainers works with the athlete from Kyiv. Ulyana Mashkova, his personal trainer and wife. Vitaly Li, on his soulders fell all the “technical work”. Pavel also has a physical training coach, Yevhen Bozhko. The champion also successfully cooperate cooperation with the mega-experienced rehabilitator Serhii Derepovskyi. At the last stage of preparation, Anatoly Kushnir will join Pavel Zamyatin’s team.

We should also note that Pavel won a license for the European Games in light contact not in his usual weight category. In order to participate in the Olympic tournament, he had to move to the heavier weight – 79 kg. And it has some challenges.

— When you move to another weight, there are already champions who set the pace. You have to prove to them that you are better. In a new weight category, you start almost everything from scratch.

For example, on the last European Cup there were problems with the draw and I had to box twice in the semifinals. When I won my first semifinal, I’ve got another semifinal fight and not final as it should be. Because they lost someone in the draw. I said on that that I’ve already won my semifinal fight. But I’ve been asked in return: “Well, are you a real champion?” And I answer: “Yes.” Well, they continued, you can have one more fight and prove that you are trully a real champion. So if you’re a real champion, you shouldn’t care who you will fight, when and where.

As an Ambassador of the European Games and a real champion, what would you advise our team on the eve of the competition?

— I want to tell our team that we should enjoy it. Let the preparation, the journey there and back, the competition, the actual battles will be only for pleasure. So that it is not punishment. Even if you are not win. It will be nothing wrong with that. First of all, it was still necessary to qualify for this tournament. Not everyone was able to do it. Secondly, if you enjoy of it, everything will go easier. You just have to love every moment you devote to this tournament.

In addition, the European Olympic Games will be hosted by the Polish city of Krakow from June 21 to July 2, 2023. Our WAKO kickboxing team will be represented by four athletes. In addition to Pavel, the honor of Ukraine and WAKO kickboxing will be defended by Kateryna Belkina, Artem Melnyk, and Tymur Brykov.

Oleksandra Kuznietsova, WAKO Ukraine