Siiri Univer Interview
16 year old KB Sport Champ, Siiri Univer
Siiri Univer is a fast rising Kettlebell Sport star. Though just a teenager, her strength and tenacity are well beyond her years. This past Summer, Siiri was the junior female champion in the 12kg snatch event and in less than 3 months, she became the IUKL Amatuer Women World Champion with the 16kg bell in the 58kg category. Imagine the potential of this young athlete!
Maya: Tell us about yourself.
Siiri: I am 16 years old and I’m from Estonia.
Maya: Tell us about your coach.
Siiri: I don`t have a kettlebell lifting coach. My aunt introduced me to kettlebells, but I work out at home or on the beach in the summer.
Maya: What competitions have you participated in?
Siiri:
- World and European Junior (U-18) Kettlebell Lifting Championships 2008- 53kg place II
- Ventspils Atlants 2008 girl-18 – 53kg place I
- European Kettlebell Lifting Open Cup 2009 women-53kg place III
- Open European Kettlebell Lifting Championship for men and women U-18 2009 -58kg place II
- Ventspils Atlants 2009 girls- 58kg place I
- Open European Kettlebell Lifting Championships Juniors (U-23) 2009 -58kg place III
- World Championships 2009 Amateur Women and Juniors (U-23) -58kg place I
Siiri snatching 140 reps at 7:59 and counting...
Maya: What other sports do you play?
Siiri: Volleyball, basketball, rowing, running and skiing in Winter.
Maya: How did you get involved with Kettlebell Sport?
Siiri: I started kettlebell lifting at a local competition (it was 04.02.2007); my aunt wanted me to participate for the first time. My result was 88 reps with an 8 kg kettlebell! I was afraid to compete, but after competition when I got bronze medal, I was proud and happy. I wanted more and more to do kettlebell lifting.
Maya: How would you describe a day in the life of a young athlete in Estonia?
Siiri: If I’m rowing, then I get up very early. If not, my typical day: I wake up 6.45 because school begins 8.00. I live about 10 km away from school and school buses leave at 7.30. School ends about 15.30 or 16.00 and my work out [with kettlebells] begins 16.00. I get back home 19.00 or later, then I study 2 to 4 hours and the day has ended.
Siiri's aunt (seated next to her in red) first introduced her to kettlebells.
Maya: Who is your favorite kettlebell lifter?
Siiri: My favorite lifter is Andrei Fialka!!!
Maya: What advice would you give to people trying kettlebells for the first time?
Siiri: I think that kettlebell lifting is a sport that requires self-confidence and patience. If you are just starting with kettlebell lifting, be brave and don’t be afraid.
Maya: What are some of your goals in 2010?
Siiri: I will play different sports, but only for kettlebell lifting because I feel that it is in my heart. In 2010 I want to visit the USA and participate in the WKC World Championships, but I don’ t know if it’s possible because we’re having difficult financial times in the family right now. We’ll see…
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