Great interview — Marina Mazor with Artur Akopyan the morning after Olympic Trials:
After her injury, how concerned were you about her coming back and making the Olympic team?
That was a sad time for me. I thought it was very serious, the head injury. And nobody knew what was going to happen. But I trusted and knew she was strong mentally and has a brave heart. I talked to her parents and they convinced me. Even her father said, “the Maroneys are hard headed. She will come back. She will do it.”
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What is is about McKayla that makes her a special athlete?
First of all, she has a very good heart. She has a beautiful personality. … She’s working hard. I will never have to raise my voice with her. She’s a very strong and intelligent girl. But at the same time, she’s girly and soft. And lady-like.
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When you look at her, you assume that she wouldn’t be strong in the leg events as she has a very slight build. How does she excel on the leg events?
She’s actually a very powerful gymnast. She is has like a gift from God in the power, the quickness. And she is a true athlete. Just a gift from God. Not many people have those things.
What’s your funniest memory working with her?
I don’t know. I would say, we don’t have a funny time because she’s very serious with what she does in the gym. I can not joke with her. I can say something funny and she will smile and walk away and then back to serious and about her training.
Artur says she could compete Yurchenko triple twist.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 