Handballfast talked to the best handball player of our time Anna Vyakhireva and learned her opinion about the Head of the HFR Sergey Shishkarev, who celebrates the anniversary on April, 7 — 10 years as the head of the Russian handball.
— When did you meet the Head of the HFR? What was the first impression?
— We met when he was introduced as our new leader of the handball federation. Sergey Nikolaevich immediately set serious challenges and gave great motivation. And he made an impression of a man who knows exactly what he wants.
— How would you describe your relationship? Professionals, who work in the same field? Good acquaintances? Friends?
— Relations are both professional and, can be said, friendly. We keep in touch.
— Your game progress and the role in the national team rose rapidly. You were on the bench in the national team in 2014, you were in the core of the team in 2015 and became the best player of the best team in the world in 2016. Did your relations with Shishkarev change depending on the dynamic of your status change?
— I wouldn’t say that. These relations were equally positive regardless of my status in the national team.
— The leadership of the federation and the coaching staff sometimes arranged team-building for the national team of Russia in Brazil during the Olympic Games-2016. Are there any particular episodes you remember most of all?
— Oh, I remember when we were taken to Copacabana beaches, we were frolicking like children there! And we tasted local specialties in a restaurant. It was heartwarming and funny.
— Obviously, the team was worried after the silver of the Olympics in Tokyo. Did Sergey Nikolaevich try to encourage and cheer up you and other girls?
— We were very upset, of course. I lost touch with everyone at once. And I’m grateful to Sergey Nikolaevich and many other important people for it, among other things — that they gave time to get over it and to go into our world.
— Did Shishkarev try to discourage you when you decided to take a break in career?
— No, he didn’t. He was one of those people who understood everything and was comforting.
— Sergey Nikolaevich is a talented businessman from the Forbes list. Have you ever asked his advice where to invest earned money — real estate, cryptocurrency, stocks or something else?
— Well, no, I haven’t. I don’t know if it is appropriate. I suppose, our financial condition is incomparable. It would be weird for me to ask about it.
— Joint dinners were often held for the players of the national team of Russia, sometimes rock bands were invited there. Which of these evenings was the most memorable?
— Hmm, we had lots of fun on all our corporate events. But the party after the Olympics-2016 is my favorite one, when the band Umaturman played for us.
— How is important the role of Shishkarev in the success of the women’s national team of Russia in the past decade? Has anything changed in the work and functioning of the national team since he led the Russian handball?
— I suppose, he did a lot specifically for us, the players. Both financially and in human terms. Plus, people started to notice us in the country. We started appearing on TV, received more media attention...
— Is it true that Sergey Nikolaevich stood up periodically for the players of the national team in front of Trefilov and asked Yevgeni Vasilyevich to reduce the hardness degree in dealing with the wards?
— Yes, it was.
— How ofter do you communicate with Shishkarev now?
— Occasionally. We congratulate each other on holidays. And generally, from time to time we find out how things are going.
— The Head of the HFR says in interviews regularly that Vyakhireva is the best player in the world. Is it pleasant?
— Of course, it is, I won’t deny. I hope that soon we will have an opportunity to help our country in the form of our national team.
Photo: the HFR press, Alena Pastushenko
