World champion Natalya Vorobyova: “Coronavirus situation has brought everything on equal footing”

Russian wrestler Natalya Vorobyeva celebrated her 29th birthday on Wednesday. The 2012 Olympic champion is currently staying put in her home in St.Petersburg amid the coronavirus outbreak. She is yet to confirm her place in the Russian team for the Tokyo Olympics which can be done via the Russian Championship which for now stands deferred. Vorobyeva won the worlds title in 2109 post-partum. In conversation with Wrestling Russia, she talks about how the pandemic has affected the Olympic preparations, to how she is spending time in quarantine.

Vorobyeva: Yes, we have a house near St.Petersburg. here it was self-insulated. I am engaged in farming, gardening and have planted tomatoes, potatoes. At the same time, I train in my gym.

WrestlingRU: Do you have everything you need in your gymnasium?

Vorobyeva: Yes, I have a barbell, a pair of simulators amongst other things. I make sure to keep myself in top shape.

Vorobyeva: Yes, that is always there. They send everyone training and diet plans and keep checking on our well-being.

Vorobyeva: Yes, we had time before the pandemic and we were lucky to return home safely.

Vorobyeva: No, there was not COVID-19 back then. We even had two get together after returning.

Vorobyeva: No, we almost never go anywhere. Only occasionally we get out to the store. Plus we have a country house. So, plenty of space for the child to run and play.

WrestlingRU: Have you got masks, gloves?
Vorobyeva: Everything is there, but gloves are more important when visiting the stores. You don’t communicate with people there, buyers themselves shy away from each other. But you touch the products, so gloves become more important.

 WrestlingRU: How old is the child?
Vorobyeva: Two years and his name is Timur. And we are his team, we all work for him (laughs). I took a break after the Olympics in Rio, and after the birth of my son, I returned to my work – in sports.

WrestlingRU: Now many people are hooked on to web series. Are you trying to catch up on any?
– Timur is a very active guy, so in my spare time from training, I deal with him. Plus work in the yard. For example, yesterday they planted strawberries. I have time to grow before the end of summer. If it comes to August, we will not be upset. Now is the season of Crimean strawberries.

WrestlingRU: Do you like working on earth, or just to kill time?
Vorobyeva: Well, if we decided to live in a house on the countryside, apparently, love for the land played a significant role here.

WrestlingRU: You are an officer of the Russian Guard as a senior lieutenant.  This information dates back to 2016. Is the information out of date?
Vorobyeva: A little, this year I became a captain.

WrestlingRU: A few years ago in Makhachkala, grateful fans gave you an apartment. Does someone live in it?
Vorobyeva: When I get such a prize, I choose the money (laughs).

WrestlingRU: Your thoughts on Olympic deferment? 

Vorobyeva: The other day we talked with Alexander Lesun, the Olympic champion in pentathlon. He said that in March he had gotten in excellent shape and planned to improve it little by little so that he could approach the Olympic Games in maximum readiness. Sasha complained that due to the postponement of the Olympics, now next year it is necessary to start everything from scratch. Now the whole world is turned upside down, not one is difficult for us. All in equal conditions. We will prepare for the Olympics, there is time for this.