Vasilina Hondoshko told about the triumph at the European championship and plans for the future

Minchanka Vasilina Hondoshko recently won the first in the history of Belarus gold medal in synchronized swimming at the European championship in water sports. About the triumph and plans for the Olympics-2028 athlete told the correspondent of the Agency “Minsk-Novosti”.

- In the international standard pool, which was built in Minsk a couple of years ago, I have a huge support group. - We are talking about ordinary employees of the sports facility. We intersect at the entrance, in the corridors, near the bath. They encourage, ask about business, wish a good day and a productive workout. I don’t always come to the pool with enthusiasm, but after meeting the staff, I’ll talk to them, they grow wings behind their backs. I want to work, come up with new elements, surprise judges, rivals, spectators. Support gives strength and energizes. Many thanks to my personal mentor Daria Kravtsevich. It's together that we make programs so cool. When training is difficult and there is almost no strength to continue, she finds the words that make me pull myself together and carry out my plan. Another important source of support is family.

- At the European Championships, you completed the most difficult version of your program. Was the risk justified?

- I don't think I risked it. We worked hard on all the elements and put the emphasis right in all aspects of preparation to present such high complexity. I wanted the judges and the audience to feel the difference between my performance and the competition. But there was a backup plan: if something went wrong, I would simplify the program.

- Which element is the heaviest?

- I don't think so. The most difficult thing is to keep everything under control during the performance, up to every movement. In synchronized swimming before the run, athletes experience fear, as in the water they expect hard work and hypoxia. But all the work, training gave me confidence. I’ve done it a million times, and it’s going to work now.

- Compare emotions after winning gold and silver awards.

- When I became a champion, I was happy. I knew I had done everything right and didn’t deviate from the plan. It was satisfying. For me, victory is not an accident or a coincidence, but the result of the work done. I took it easy. As for silver... I was happy for the Spanish Iris Tio Casas. All the girls who perform solo are friends, one big family. There was an inner feeling that I was a little short of the second gold. I think I could have done better. But it’s okay, it will add motivation to train even harder.

- Did you walk in Paris?

- I have a rule: until I have worked in competitions, I do not go anywhere. I am not interested in what is happening around me. I come here with one goal: to perform as well as possible. And after the tournament, you can walk around the city where the sports event takes place. My parents came to France this year to support me. At the end of the competition, they visited the Eiffel Tower, were photographed against its background with medals.

Will your program for next season change?

- I can't say for sure yet. As a rule, I try to update it every year, bringing new elements. I’m constantly looking for things that no one has ever shown before – other music, swimsuits and images. Getting ideas working with the team. Someone suggests a certain thought, a specific melody, tells the concept, and then with the coach we bring the idea to life. Mom and dad often suggest interesting options for images - eccentric, funny, serious.

- Is the season over?

- Yes, it is a holiday, but preparations will begin soon. Before the New Year holidays will be the stages of the World Cup. The main tournament of 2027 is the World Championship. The first Olympic licenses will be awarded. Solo, unfortunately, is not represented in the program of the Games, so I will perform in a duet. My former partner Daria Kulagina has finished her career. There's a new one, but I won't give her name. I hope we will be able to achieve good results.

Chairman of the Belarusian Synchronized Swimming Federation, head coach of the national team Elena Svetlichna:

- In 2021, we started with bronze. Then Vasilina at the European Championship became the third in the technical program. She continued to gain momentum, and the results were not long in coming. Now I took gold in an arbitrary program, silver in a technical program. Vasilina's performance in Paris is amazing! Changes in the rules are expected in synchronized swimming next year. It is planned to modify the existing elements: they will look different, but the components will remain the same.

For reference

Shortly before the CHE-2026, V. Hondoshko was awarded the title “Honored Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus”. This event was preceded by successful performances of the synchronist at the World and European Championships, World Cup stages.

Photo by Denis Kulagi and European Aquatics