Regular training and strict schedule – just in such tempo Yaroslav Blazhko has been leaving during last five years.
He received degree of lawyer but one day realized that he wants to fulfill his potential in sport. And it was a right decision because Yaroslav gets only prize-winning places at all-Ukrainian and international jiu-jitsu championships. Recently, he came back with the gold medal from the European tournament which took place in France.
Despite busy schedule of trainings, Yaroslav has found some time for the interview. He told readers about his sport carrier start, why he wants get only first places and what his dream is for now.
From gymnastics to jiu-jitsu
For five years I have been going in for jiu-jitsu. At first I was engaged in Taekwondo. And one day I started to train with Ievgen Skyrda and I cached the interest of jiu-jitsu. In our city (Kropivnitskiy) Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was opened in 2013. Thus, I began to do only this kind of sport. Jiu-jitsu has caught my fancy from the beginning. I understood that I am fascinated only by fight. The majority of action we made on the mat, in other words, fight takes place on the ground. It reduces the risk of serious injuries.
Also, I used to go in for gymnastics in the past. But Brazilian jiu-jitsu has become my lifestyle. I am busy now with development of our club and own trainings. And sport also has changed my common lifestyle. For example I can`t eat even a piece of junk food because it can effect negatively on my results during the competition. My family fully supports me, because my father also a sportsman.
He helps me in issues that concerns sport. My father brought me up as a real athlete since my childhood. I started to do an exercises on the bar since I was four. So, of course, he likes what I do now.
I studied at the university and could be a layer. Being on the third course of the law university I got acquainted with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And I realized the unnecessity of my law degree (smiling). Of course, I got my diploma but it wasn`t necessary for me. I understood that work with documents is not mine.
Of course, I didn’t have such busy sport schedule when I studied in the university. I was engaged in the sport club but I even didn’t think it would become the deal of my life. I realized that I want to work only in sport sphere. Things turned out, I focused more on training than my education. I don’t regret about my higher education since I have received a great experience.
Regular trainings for victory
I have lost during my first competition on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2013. And after that, I realized that it is necessary to practice more. So step by step I reached the level which I have now. I try to show the best results all the time. In our club, athletes, who prepare for competitions train in separate groups all the week. In addition, we have morning trainings before the competition. Thus, we train two times a day.
Sunday is a day off for us. But we spend it on the base or clean the hall if it is necessary.
I can`t say that it`s difficult to live in such rhythm. I don’t have problems with my physical condition. I feel great. If we get tired in the middle of the week, the coach gives us time to recover. And then we work using all our potential. But we don’t have much time to rest, thus we try to work in the most productive manner.
Daily schedule
I wake up around 9:00, have my breakfast and go for morning training. After the training we clean gym hall. FFrom 12:00 to 15:30 we have a free time, and I can have some rest. Training for children begins at 16:00 and ends at 19:30. After that I have a time for own training. As a rule, I finish at 22:00. And only after that I can go home.
In order to achieve maximum results, you need to give yourself 100% to this sport.
It is impossible to rest and at the same time develop and improve your results. You should spend all your strength during the training. We will be able to have a rest later. For example, we can rest retiring on a pension.
All my life I associate with sport. We want our club to be the best one in the world. Now we are the best ones in Ukraine, but we try our best to move towards Europe.
Trainings with children
The Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been working in our city since 2013. And our club – since September, 2014. More than 120 children were engaged in the trainings during the last two years. There are already champions and winners of the National Competitions among them. We try to bring up world champions.
I also train children. At first it was a little difficult for me but now I am completely happy with my work. It is needed to find the necessary approach to each child. I guess I am successful in this sphere.
We also explain parents that fight can`t be without injury. And there is nothing to worry about. We teach little boys to be real men. We also train girls. Sometimes they have even more fighting spirit than boys. Everything happens but we haven’t had serious accidents in the younger group (children aged from three to six years).
I think people should do what they like. You can`t go to work only for material aim because nothing will come of it. Those guys who work in the “Borets” club put all their heart and soul in the trainings. Thus, the first of all it is necessary to have a desire to work at the highest quality level.
Participation in the national and international competitions
I have already participated in many competitions. I even can`t remind all the national ones. We competed during the European Championship in Portugal last year. There I managed to win the second place.There was also European Championship in April and it was held in Rome. There I won a gold medal.
In late April, right after the Rome we flew to the World Cup in Abu Dhabi (UAE). There I won three fights, but lost the fourth on points. We decided that we need to have more practice. We will try to get the first place during the next tournament.
I don’t upset after the loss. I just realize that I must correct some mistakes, maybe to train more and better. Psychological condition is also very important. If athlete drains before the competition he will not have great results. In such case you have already lost before the fight.
The right physical spirit is the most important. You shouldn’t think and estimate the opponent during the competition. It is necessary to do what you can and don’t think more.
Benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Sport is very important in our life. Some people believe that job and education must be on the first place. And, it isn’t so, actually. After 30 it can be some problems with health. You need to exercise in order to avoid such problem. And it can be done along with other areas of activity.
There is no age restriction in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Yurii Kompan for example trains in our club. He is 45 years old but he successfully performs at competitions. At the same time, there is only some man in Ukraine who does Jiu-Jitsu after 65 years old. All depend from your mind. And the age doesn’t matter in this issue. If you like fight, you can do it even after 60 years old. I want to emphasize once again, that our sport is considered the least injury-causing.
You can start jiu-jitsu at any age and with any physical form. The jiu-jitsu is such type of fight where the physical vigor isn’t on the first place. The athlete with perfect physical form doesn`t always win. The most important thing is technique. Therefore, it is necessary to think first of all and understand that victory is achieved not only by strength. Everything depends on properly selected vectors. Flexibility also has the influence.
Athletes have such thing as “absolute weight category”. At first I compete with the athletes who weight 70 kilograms. If I get the top place, I will compete with athletes who win in other weight category. We always try to get first places. It once again confirms that weight doesn’t make a difference.
Impressions from the last international tournament
About 20 athletes performed in my weight category during the international tournament in France. I beat the athlete from France in the fourth final fight. All opponents had an advanced level of training. Sometimes some problems can arise during the competition. Generally, when the opponent uses the technique which block my actions.
And in those moments, you should think how to get out of this situation. It`s important to control everything. And I coped with it.
The aim
We hope our club will be the best one for children and adults where they can practice their skills on the highest level. Thus, our county can become a leader in this sport as we have strog fighters.
