25 Oct 2009 at 17:26 | Published by: Hans | Views: 8447 | News search

This interview was done in October 2009 by Csaba Pálnikás (CsP) and Daria Klimenko


CsP: First of all thank you for letting Minigolfnews interview you.

CsP: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself to those who don’t know you. Who is Tatiana Chesnova?

TC: I was born in 1952, and I have been playing Minigolf for 7 years. I live in a family and I have a son, who is the general director of a trade company.

I started my Minigolf career in the club ‘seabirds of Moscow’, now I am living in Sochi. I have been working as a trainer in ‘Olympiysky-Dagomys Club’ for one year. It is my profession, where I am teaching Minigolf for kids and younger players.

Club: Right-handed Nifo
Favorite ball: Nifo2, Reisinger ‘Suuf no meeh’
Favorite surface: MOS beton course in Sochi
Best Career results:

• Russian Champion 2007, silver 2005, 2006, bronze 2004
• Sochi Open winner 2007, silver 2008, 2009
• Winner of Russian Team Cup with Sochi
• 7 times participated at EM, WM, this year Odense 31th
• Earned the most prestigious honor in Russia ‘Master of Sports’


CsP: Why do you think that Minigolf is a god sport?

TC: I think that Minigolf is ‘democratic’, because everyone can play it, irrespectively of age, gender and physical conditions. I also like it because you can meet a lot of nice people, make friendships, and be part of a good community.

CsP: What do you think, what is needed to be a good player?

TC: First of all skill, which comes with a lot of practice, after that strong concentration, good nerves and patience.

CsP: How do you see Minigolf development in Russia?

TC: I think there is a lot of potential in Minigolf here. We have some really skilled players, who showed that they can compete on a high level. Beside them we have a lot of young talents, who are very enthusiastic and practicing a lot. I’m sure that in some years they will play a very good game.

CsP: What do you think, how can Minigolf in Russia develop?

TC: The biggest problem I think, that our players are not so experienced as the players from other countries. We would need more courses and competitions, to learn how to prepare balls and compete. Good news, that there are always more and more Minigolf courses in Russia, we had already players from 4 clubs, and the new Minigolf complex in Nizsnij Novgorod will open in 2 weeks.

CsP: What is your opinion about Sochi Open?

TC: It was very nice and well organized, like in every year. The hotel’s management is doing a great job here, as they keep the prestige of the tournament on the highest level. It was Russia’s first international tournament as well, where strongest Russian players could compete against European top players. We could see some very exciting games, especially in the k.o. finals.

I’m very happy for Sergey Kovylyaev’s great play. He was my first Minigolf pupil in Moscow, and he showed again, that he can play very strong on this surface.

CsP: You mentioned that you are working now as a professional Minigolf trainer in ‘Olympiysky-Dagomys Club’. I think it is a job, we are all dreaming about. Could you tell me some words about it?

TC: Yes, I’ve started this job 1 year ago with some children. Now I have around 20 pupils here in Sochi, they are 10-17 years old. We practice after school, from 2 o’ clock, three times in a week. We practice shots, play various games, and always try to have fun. On every Saturday we have test tournaments, where the club provides medals and small gifts for the winners. The club wishes to have a good team for next year YEC in Sochi, and is planning to win with these young sportsmen in the future.

CsP: Could you mention some of these youngsters?

TC: The girls’ team contains Siranush Balasanyan, Natalia Sycheva, and Marina Ereschenko - they are all around 16 years old. At the boys Alexey Markov, Alexander Barokhvanov are 14, and we have some really young players, like Igor Pantelimonov, Kirill Taranenko and Denis Kaplun, who are only 10-11.

CsP: What is your best memory of Minigolf?

TC: It is very difficult to mention one, because I had a lot of them. Maybe it is when my pupil, Siranush Balasanyan won 2nd place at the first class of Russian Cup. I was very proud of her.

CsP: Do you have some future ambitions with Minigolf?

TC: I want to have a big Minigolf school, and I would like to attract more people for this sport.

CsP: Thank you again for participating and I wish you good luck and success in the future.

TC: Thank you!

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