Rio 2016 Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics in a special project "SE" - about love at first sight, the upcoming wedding and life outside of big-time sports.
- Rita, tell us what you are doing so far sports career on pause?
There's still a lot to do right now. Show Olympic champions, in which I am participating, will take place both in summer and autumn. In addition, I represent a well-known brand of underwear in Russia, do repairs, attend events, and regular light workouts have not gone away. I often go to Novogorsk to train a little and restore my back - I need to work on it and continue to heal. When the shows are over, we will go to Korea for a medical examination. And, perhaps, to another doctor in Munich.
- Do you follow the girls from the national team?
I follow and try to support. It’s very difficult for them now - I remember myself in 2013 in a similar situation, when after the departure of Zhenya Kanaeva, the entire burden of leadership fell on us. Of course, now I don’t watch all the competitions, and it’s not so interesting anymore - I only look at our girls. I’m so used to Yana and I performing that it still feels very strange...
- Is your fiance, swimmer Alexander Sukhorukov, training?
Sasha is now working in a relaxed mode. When training goes full program, there are only them in life, and now we need to take care of family matters. But he also swims and competes and serves in the army. Soon he will have army starts - just before the wedding.
Posted by MARGARITA MAMUN (@ritamamun) Dec 11, 2016 at 7:39 PST
C the port forms the character, the core. I’m glad that my parents gave me away - I asked, and they listened to me.
- How closely do you follow his sporting successes?
Now I come to all competitions. I can’t get away from him at all! I have always enjoyed cheering for Sasha, I take every opportunity to come to competitions. I remember at the Olympics after my performance he said that he would never watch again - he was so worried about me. I answered him: “Now can you imagine what it’s like for me?” But now he understands how I watched his performances at the World Championships in Kazan (in 2015 - Note "SE"), sitting hugging a pillow in Sao Paulo. It's hard, but I like to watch and support.
- WITHIs it false to combine sports and personal life when you are both athletes?
Now both have lighter loads, so they can combine it. And when we were preparing for the Olympics, he trained in Los Angeles, and in general worked in America for the entire four years, I worked in Novogorsk. It seems to me that this was even for the better: this way he could devote all his time only to training, and so did I. Every day we called on Skype, and the Novogorsk Internet, which was constantly disconnected or not received, infuriated us. It was a kind of test. Now everything is simple: I stuck to him like Velcro. Of course, he still meets with friends, does some of his own things, but we, one might say, are catching up.
- Was the challenge worth it?
Certainly! They brought us even closer. We went through this, but not everyone succeeds.
- WITH Now you can imagine that you are fully returning to sports - and again traveling to training camps, again being separated.
I don’t know... I don’t think about it yet - I’m trying to come to my senses, breathe out, find some kind of harmony and put everything in its place. There have been no such returns in our sport: if it’s family, then it’s family. When I was preparing for the Olympics, there was no time for anything - I trained all day long. Perhaps now it would be possible to somehow combine everything, because I now have much more experience.
Margarita MAMUN and her fiance Alexander SUKHORUKOV. Photo by Natalya PAKHALENKO, OKR
SASHA AND I WERE TOGETHER IN A PAST LIFE
- Have you ever thought that you would have an athlete husband?
In fact, when I was little, I thought that I would never have a husband. I was shy and didn’t communicate with anyone. And then somehow it all happened, the world turned upside down... I think that an athlete understands an athlete better. And the girls who dated athletes say the same thing. He will always understand you, for example, when you come after a hard workout, he won’t force you to cook something. Both know that they want to relax and be together at the same time. It's about professional athletes, if a person just runs in the morning, this, of course, is not the same.
- INEveryone knows that you and Alexander met at the Universiade in Kazan. What attracted you to him?
It seemed to me that I had seen him somewhere, that we had met somewhere or even knew each other. Amazingly, he felt the same. We were looking through places, opportunities, occasions where we could meet, but... Sasha jokes that we were together in a past life, that’s why we had this feeling. We walked from the dining room with Sasha Merkulova and Ksenia Dudkina, the champion of the London squad. She just knew him and introduced us. I remember he was so tanned, his white-toothed smile... In fact, it was probably love at first sight. Because no one has ever grabbed me like that, never let anyone get close to me.
- Haven't you even fallen in love?
Just like that - no.
- When did you realize that you fell in love?
The girls immediately told me about this... I waited for every message, and then I kept thinking: “What to answer? What to answer?” I immediately realized that I liked him, but still kept my distance.
- What did you like about your character traits?
He is very kind and very caring. Most likely, the girl is looking for a man similar to her father. I never believed it, but over time I began to see traits of my dad in Sasha. He is just as calm, kind and caring, and most importantly, family-oriented. Responsive, with a sense of humor. It seems to me that we are similar, that’s why we got together.
Margarita MAMUN. Photo by REUTERS
THERE WILL BE NO BIG WEDDING CELEBRATION
- Has the wedding date already been set?
Yes, but it’s still a secret, we’re planning on it in the summer.
- How is the preparation going? Already have ideas about the dress, ceremony, etc.?
In fact, now you can fantasize a lot. But the salaries of athletes do not allow them to count on points. Considering that we are currently undergoing renovations, reuniting families, we are trying to help my mother, and so many other things - work, training, recovery. I don’t have time to do any substantive preparation yet. It’s good that there is a marketing agency with which I cooperate, and, of course, my Sasha. Of course, I’m worried that nothing is progressing with me, but everything has its time.
- A wedding for a girl is perhaps one of the most significant events in life, consisting of many small joys: a beautiful hairstyle, jewelry, shoes , finally - a dress. What are you dreaming about?
More often I imagine myself in something elegant than in a fluffy princess dress. I wanted to fresh air organize something. But the most important thing is for all your loved ones to gather. I don’t want to hold any celebrations on the occasion of our wedding - only for us, for a narrow circle that, I hope, will always be with us.
- And with honeymoon trip?
I don't know yet. I have never been to islands with white sand and blue sea - the Maldives, Bali. This is my dream!
Posted by MARGARITA MAMUN (@ritamamun) Mar 6, 2017 at 12:04 PST
I follow fashion, yes. Perhaps due to my creative nature, this is so close to me. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to draw now, but I want to take a course.
- How do you distribute household responsibilities with Alexander?
Everything is taking shape here now. While we have a freer schedule, we help each other in everything. I cook, he helps, maybe wash the dishes or something else. We are trying to do everything together in order to somehow get used to each other, to resolve some everyday issues that usually arise, so that in the future we can build our family on a solid foundation.
- Gdo you like to eat?
I haven't cooked before. I slowly began to master the kitchen only after the Olympics, when Sasha and I began to live together. I like it, especially when there is something for someone! This is something new, although now, to be honest, everything is new and interesting for me. I can prove myself in different areas: cooperation with a famous brand, renovation, wedding. I began to devote more time to my family. Now I look at gymnastics from a different angle or something.
- Do you dream of a big family? Should there be a lot of children?
Yes. And Sasha once said - five. I hope he's still joking. But a big family is very cool! I have a part of the Eastern mentality; my father, for example, was the seventh child in the family. That's how they do it, and it's very cool. But this requires a lot of time and all the effort. Let's see, everything is just beginning for us.
- IN sports families Children often choose sports for themselves. How do you feel about this?
Our children will definitely play sports, Sasha and I decided. At first, at least for themselves, and then let them choose for themselves. C the port forms the character, the core. I’m glad that my parents gave me away - I asked, and they listened to me. But I started just for myself. Let's see what happens. We have a lot of experience, if someone has serious results, we will definitely help.
I LOVE ANIMALS, BUT THERE IS NO OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A PET
- After all, you and Yana Kudryavtseva had a common dog - Lebrosha.
Yes, she now lives with her sister in Moscow, everything remains as it is. I miss her, I see her sometimes, but rarely. I love animals very much, but for now it’s not possible to have one, I’m constantly on the road. Sometimes I see Lebrosha, and sometimes I ask Sasha to take me to some nursery to pet the animals. He says - well, we'll buy it. No, I answer, I will not take money with me. And sometimes we go for a portion of such joy and sweetness.
It's good that there are no allergies to pets. Otherwise, it would probably be unbearable to endure the constant application of makeup...
- After the performance, of course, we quickly wash off all the makeup. But during competitions, the hair suffers greatly because it is pulled into a tight bun. In my life I try not to wear makeup, especially since Sasha really likes it when I don’t wear makeup. I sometimes put on makeup depending on my mood or for some events. I was lucky, my mother did not have any special skin problems, and neither did I.
There is another story - skin reaction to the sun, allergies. That’s why I didn’t go to training camps in Croatia, because every time I had some kind of allergy. Then I twist my leg, apply a compress, go for a swim, and the compress enters into a chemical reaction with salt water, the sun and my skin. A chemical burn begins, I had this for several years in a row. But before the Olympics we didn’t receive any treatment, because we tried not to take another pill, even if it was approved, so that we wouldn’t have any questions.
- R Was the reaction specifically in the sun?
I think yes. During the Olympic season, we had the European Championships in Israel, and there was a burn there again - kinesio tape was glued on, I went into the sea in it... Something is wrong with this. I have very sensitive skin, even though I am dark-skinned. As a child I sunbathed a lot, but now I only sunbathe early in the morning or in the evening. I never sunbathe on purpose because I get allergies. In Israel, this was very annoying, everything itched when I put on a swimsuit, this mesh with stones lay unpleasantly on the skin. But in 2016 we did without any drugs.
Margarita MAMUN. Photo by Alexey IVANOV, "SE"
I AM A TYPICAL GIRL
- I know that you draw and are passionate about design, and follow fashion.
I follow fashion, yes. Perhaps due to my creative nature, this is so close to me. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to draw now, but I want to take a course. Now we are doing renovations, working together with designers - this is also very interesting to me. We discuss a lot, I say somewhere how to do it. When they ask what I want, my imagination immediately explodes. They tell me that usually everyone makes an apartment in the same style... But I have one black, one white, here there is wood in the ceiling.
- Is it a bright apartment?
No, I prefer calm, there is no brightness in colors. More interesting stuff. Let's see how Sasha reacts to this. He basically likes it. You know, I never thought that I would be interested in beautiful chandeliers. And now some other worlds are literally opening up! Since childhood, I lived in rhythmic gymnastics, and now, of course, I try to devote more time to my family.
- Do you have time for your own little joys?
Unfortunately, there is very little time left for yourself. Sometimes you run and run, and at some point you stop and cannot remember when last time had a massage. Sometimes I have time to run into the store, buy myself a bag and go around enjoying it - a typical girl! Sometimes I try to take my brother and go to the cinema with him, or for him to go somewhere with Sasha: to solve a repair issue, or somewhere else. So that he doesn’t just sit on the phone, because life is in full swing, there are so many interesting things around!
I understand that even when I graduate and become a mother, I still won’t have a boring life. Because the bar has already been set, I will want something new, which I will strive for.
- Do you have to keep track of your form? Are you on a diet?
I've moved away from this a little. It is clear that shows, master classes, and some demonstration performances, so I try to take care of myself - I don’t overeat at night, I drink a lot of water. But, to be honest, I don’t really want to anymore. When everything is possible and there is no point that you have to watch every meal, you feel more relaxed about food. Sometimes I can run around and not eat, but when I cook, I try to eat more often and little by little.
ADULT LIFE WAS NOT A SHOCK
- Still not used to social events?
Events related to sports are very close to me. I like to go to some kind of show, I absolutely love beautiful things. I like to take part in photo shoots, I like what comes out in the end. I like to participate in various shows, for example Intimissimi On Ice in Verona on ice. These are social events, but also very interesting, the rest are just part of my work.
- How often do you manage to see Yana Kudryavtseva now?
We saw each other in St. Petersburg when I came there for a show. She flew away that day in the morning, but we managed to meet and chat. In fact, I really miss some of our common moments and just our time together. It seems like it was so long ago, so much has happened! Now everyone is in their own life.
- Have you grown up?
- It's hard to say. Amina Vasilovna (Zaripova, coach Mamun. - Note "SE") always said: “You live in your own world, you are absolutely not adapted to everything that happens in adult life - you are fed, equipped, and so on. You don’t cook, you don’t wash, you don’t take your children to kindergarten.” But until you encounter this in reality, you won’t fully understand. Sasha and I are now immersed in all this, but our mothers are helping us, and there are no special difficulties yet.
- Sh was there no eye from the new life?
No, everything is very interesting. But in sports, in fact, everything is also quite varied, not counting the time in the gym. I understand that even when I graduate and become a mother, I still won’t have a boring life. Because the bar has already been set, I will want something new, which I will strive for.
- Don't you miss traveling?
Yes, there are actually a lot of them now. Recently, at the invitation of the IOC, we were in London filming, where we changed sports. I’ll be going to Italy soon, I’ll be touring with the show, and this weekend I’ll be in Spain with a master class. And many more plans.
Have you recently managed to realize some big dream of yours, or at least just allow yourself a little joy?
- Swim with dolphins, this has been my long-time dream! I gave this gift to Sasha for his birthday and shared it with him. When we set off, I suddenly realized that we would now be swimming with huge two-meter animals, and it became scary. But everything went great!
To begin with, the Olympic Games were not Ritochka’s last competitions last season. Margarita also managed to participate in the Club World Championship in a team together with Maria Sergeeva and Alexandra Soldatova. Rita became the absolute champion of these competitions, and the Gazprom club, for which Margarita competed, also took first place!
Demonstration performances
These were the last competitions, but not Rita's performances. Tigra also attended the largest annual events dedicated to rhythmic gymnastics: “LG Korean All Stars” and “Euskalgym”. Margarita put her whole soul into these demonstration performances and performed as responsibly as if these were the Olympic Games.
At the Korean festival “LG Korean All Stars”, Rita was lucky enough to perform not only alone, but also to participate in group performances!
Interviews and official meetings
Of course, in addition to performances, Rita immediately received dozens of offers to film interviews! The first month after the Olympics, Rita was simply haunted by news services, interviews and official events related to the victory in Rio. So Rita visited the editors " Soviet sport", "HELLO.RU" and many other publications.
Naturally, Margarita was at the official presentation of cars by the Prime Minister Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev and attended the meeting of the Olympians with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.
Sports schools and competitions
Rita traveled a lot to Russian rhythmic gymnastics sports schools and attended gymnast training camps. So, Rita attended an official autograph session in St. Petersburg, where she was met by hundreds of happy children! She became a guest star at Amina Zaripova’s training camp, where Ritochka’s appearance made a huge splash on the younger generation!
Of course, Rita became a guest star not only at the training camp, but also at the competition. At the Grand Prix in Moscow, Rita opened the competition and talked with fans and coaches, and at the “Spring Cup” the tournament organizers organized a big photo shoot for everyone, where absolutely everyone could get a high-quality photo with their idol!
Olympians' Ball
This event is worth noting separately. This was not Rita’s first Olympian Ball, but the most memorable, that’s for sure. Here Rita not only came out in a beautiful and elegant dress and talked with coaches and athletes, but also received a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, swimmer and just a good person - Alexander Sukhorukov.
Rita and Sasha also attended the Tatler magazine ball together, where they simply amazed everyone!
Show of Olympic Champions
This “tour” should also be given a special place. Together with Olympic, Rita gave 4 huge concerts in different cities Russia (Kazan, Krasnodar, Moscow and St. Petersburg), where she performed main role. A tremendous amount of work was done by all the participants in the show, including Ritochka, which gave an excellent result! Thank you!
Film "Selfie"
In addition to all the most interesting things, Rita managed to take part in the filming of the film « Selfie" by Maxim Boev, where the athlete became the heroine of a promising novel called « Tiger"!
During filming, Ritochka also shared with fans pictures of the preparation and work process at the circus!
Other
Rita also attended a lot of different parties dedicated to completely different events, for example, awards. One of the most memorable is Sports Instagram of the Year!
And the cherry on the cake: after the Olympics, Rita tried herself not only as a fashion model, but also walked on the catwalk during Mercedes–Benz Fashion Week Russia!
Rest
And so, Rita spends so many events and energy on daily photo shoots, training, that there is time for rest... is there any time left? Yes! Rita and Sasha visited the Emirates, where they had a great vacation, and before the New Year holidays, the gymnast underwent recovery in Altai (from where the athlete shared beautiful and mesmerizing photos with fans!).
Are you waiting for Rita's return?
Thanks to the Official Community of Margarita Mamun “VKontakte” for the photos and videos!
Margarita Mamun – Russian gymnast, who won gold at the 2016 Olympics in 2016, seven-time world champion, winner of international sports competitions and rhythmic gymnastics championships.Childhood and family of Margarita Mamun
Margarita was born on November 1, 1995 in Moscow. The athlete’s father is marine engineer Abdullah Al Mamun, originally from the Republic of Bangladesh. He died of cancer in August 2016. At the very beginning of the 90s he came to Soviet Union study and at the Astrakhan Technical University met his love - Anna, Margarita’s mother. 
The girl has dual citizenship, and thanks to her Bengali roots, fans gave her the nickname “ Bengal tigress”(another, more affectionate one - “Mama”). Until the age of 10, she often traveled to her father’s homeland - in Bangladesh she was impressed by the bamboo thickets and lotus plantings, the ubiquitous cows and chickens that the locals kept instead of pets.
Rhythmic gymnastics Mamun started studying at the age of 7 - olympic village was located near the house where the girl’s family lived. Before that, she had been studying for a short time figure skating, but stopped because of her mother - Anna was afraid that her daughter would fall and break on the ice.
By today's standards, 7 years is a rather late age to start classes (4 years is considered the ideal age), but the baby was accommodated halfway. And, as it turned out, not in vain. The gap in skill between peers and the distrust of coaches only spurred the purposeful Rita.
Sports career of Margarita Mamun
In 2005, 10-year-old Margarita took part in the Miss Valentine Cup gymnastics competition, which was held in Estonia. In subsequent years, the girl competed once for the Bangladesh team (at a championship that was not held under the auspices of the International Gymnastics Federation), but then she always represented only Russia.In 2006, the serving high hopes the girl decided to connect her life with professional sports. Personal trainer girls became Amina Zaripova, Honored Master of Sports in artistic gymnastics and the wife of musician Alexei Kortnev.
In 2011, Mamun became the Russian champion in all-around and apparatus exercises. In October 2012, Margarita again became the absolute champion of Russia, and then performed at club championship World Aeon Cup, where she took 4th place in the individual all-around.
In 2013, the gymnast again received the title of Russian champion and automatically became the leader of the Russian team. Then Mamun took part in her first European Championships in Vienna. Margarita's team, which also included Daria Svatkovskaya and Yana Kudryavtseva, received gold medals.
In the summer of 2013, at the Kazan Universiade, Mamun received gold medal in the apparatus exercise and in the individual all-around. The girl again showed brilliant results and final stage World Cup in St. Petersburg, and at the World Championships in Kyiv and at the Aeon Cup in Japan
2014 was no less successful for the young gymnast - championship in the all-around at the Moscow Grand Prix, three-time medalist at the Grand Prix in Thieu, a silver place at the World Cup in Stuttgart, 4 medals in Minsk - and this is not the whole list. Margarita's only failure that year was her performance at the European Championships in Baku - the girl suffered three unfortunate losses and took only 5th place in the all-around.
The following year, Mamun again proved to the world that she a real champion– gold, silver and bronze medals at all stages of the World Cup. The girl also confirmed her absolute leadership at the Japanese Aeon Cup and distinguished herself at the World Championships in Stuttgart.
Margarita Mamun at the Rio Olympics
Traditionally starting 2016 with numerous victories at international tournaments and championships, the girl went to Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.Margarita Mamun with clubs. Grand Prix 2016
Irina Viner-Usmanova became Mamun’s mentor in the national team. On August 20, 2016, Margarita took gold in the individual all-around, ahead of her main rival and friend, Yana Kudryavtseva, who was awarded silver medal. The 20-year-old athlete scored 76.483 points based on the results of 4 exercises (hoop, ball, club and ribbon).
Margarita Mamun in Rio at the Olympics
Rita's victory came at a double price - in Rio she began to become dehydrated and her temperature rose to 39 degrees. Due to the treatment, she had to forget about training for a week.
“Of course, I'm happy. Overall I was calm. As Irina Viner says, she maintained Olympic calm.”
After the end of the Olympics for their high achievements in sports, Margarita received the Order of Friendship and the Medal “For Strengthening military community" After the Olympics, the girl took a short vacation to rest and recuperate.Death of Margarita Mamun's father
Rita, who returned home with a medal, was greeted by fans and parents. Her father held her award in his hands and was moved to tears. And two days later he was gone. 
As coach Mamun later said, father Olympic champion was slowly dying from a serious illness (according to information from open sources, it was oncology). When Rita flew to Rio de Janeiro, doctors gave Abdulla Mamun about two days to live. He lived for another two months - he witnessed his daughter’s victory, albeit on TV, and met her, congratulating her on the greatest achievement in the life of an athlete. It’s hard to call it anything other than a miracle. On September 8, 2017, the lovers signed at the registry office in Barvikha. The date was not chosen casually: their romantic relationship began on the 8th, on December 8th the Olympic Ball was held, at which Alexander proposed to Rita, and they submitted an application to the registry office on August 8th, that is, 8.08.
Margarita Mamun's wedding
Rita’s wedding was attended by her entire team - doctors, first coach, Irina Viner-Usmanova, physiotherapists and, of course, friends and relatives. Mamun considers Basta’s song “The Master and Margarita,” which her husband performed during the celebration, to be the most touching wedding gift. Margarita and Alexander spent their honeymoon in the Maldives.
