Valeria Mishka (@vegan_mishka) - the absolute winner of the Northwestern Federal District Cup, winner of the first place in the Central Federal District Cup. In addition, she is the winner of the 2017 CROSSLIFTING World Championship in the 70+ category and seven stages of the Lets SQUARE, the absolute winner of the INTERNATIONAL CROSSLIFTING GRAND PRIX 2018 tournament.
It's hard to believe that an athlete with such significant accomplishments in strength sports is a vegan. However, this is the case. And according to Valeria, this does not limit her in anything, but only helps to achieve athletic heights.
Valeria spoke about this and many other interesting aspects of her sports life in an exclusive interview with cross.expert.
- When did your first acquaintance with sports take place and what kind of sports it was? How did you get into cross-lifting?
- I have not been involved in professional sports since childhood, as is the case with many athletes. She came to crosslifting, already having experience in crossfit and other power sports. I started doing CrossFit in 2012, and in 2013 I started doing powerlifting. In 2014, I made my CrossFit debut as a professional athlete. Evgeny Bogachev called me to qualify for the Big Cup back in 2012, but I thought that it was too early, and the audience would not have much fun looking at a person who does not know how to pull himself up.
- Victories in what other disciplines are in your sports piggy bank, besides crosslifting?
- I am an international master of sports in armlifting, took first place in the Russian APL Championship. Also passed the master of sports in bench press federation "Vityaz" and powerlifting according to the GPA and the "Union of Powerlifters of Russia". I got the master crusts after passing the doping control. In weightlifting, I fulfilled the CCM standard, I won prizes twice at the Moscow Cup, taking silver and bronze.
- How do you think, can absolutely everyone, regardless of the level of physical fitness, be involved in cross-lifting?
- A universal sport is crossfit. Last year, for example, in Kiev, the CrossFit Gang club held CrossFit competitions for people with disabilities. Cross-lifting, I hope, will never be amateur. It makes no sense to introduce age and other categories besides weight. Many shells are too complex and very traumatic. I really do not advise unprepared people, especially those who already have hernias hatched in the office, to rush to the platform to shwung a log.
- What arguments in favor of doing cross-lifting would you give to a person who wants to go in for sports, but has not yet decided which one?
- I invite only athletes with a sufficient level of training to perform in cross-lifting. Mainly those involved in crossfit, powerlifting, weightlifting, and strongman. Also brought one shot putter into this sport.
If a person does not know what to do, let him do Pilates and general physical training. Competition and physical activity are two different things.
- Tell us about your last victory at the CROSSLIFTING World Cup?
- Initially, I wanted to compete in the category up to 75 kg. But it so happened that I did not have time to gain weight. And I had to shift the priority of training towards speed and endurance. In the category up to 70 kg, the participation of fast and strong crossfit athletes was expected. The difference, both in the final task and in the open class, was minimal, literally in seconds. Somewhere I managed to win back the time on the simplest movements, using my super strength technique, which some weightlifters really dislike. Especially my jerky broaches
- What preceded your victory?
Last year I won the Northwestern Federal District Cup, then I became the winner in the 70+ weight category at SN PRO. This year I won 7 Lets SQUARE stages and the CFD Cup. But there was no competition at all, not even absolute. In general, there was some experience.
– There are several award-winning CrossFit athletes on the list of INTERNATIONAL CROSSLIFTING GRAND PRIX 2018 participants. Some of them participated in the regional selection stage at the Crossfit Games. How did you manage to outflank such strong opponents?
- I think that the main role was played by the lack of experience with some shells. The guys were preparing for the Big Cup with the main start. And of all CrossFit athletes, only Volovikov managed to consistently win. But he already had experience of performances and victories in cross-lifting. Of course, I pleasantly surprised Ganina with my work with the axel. But my strongman friend Savchenko did not disappoint either.
- What's the difference between Crossfit and Crosslifting?
In cross-lifting, there are no such unpleasant movements as running, burpees and exits on the rings. However, like the rest of gymnastics. At the moment, the tasks are written in such a way that the load fits in 2-3 minutes. This is very similar to the classic Fran crossfit complex. The only exception, perhaps, is for men of categories 110 and 110+. The guys work there all 6 minutes. I think the men's 80, 90 and 100 need to lift weights. The step should be lower, counting from the weights of the plus category. They're too low, even by CrossFit standards. And because of this, the tasks do not look forceful. Unfortunately, for girls, not everyone will pull the weight gain. But the simplest movements, like squats, deadlifts are clearly low for everyone.
- You won 7 stages in the Lets SQUARE power competition, why did you not manage to conquer the stage with lifting the axel to the maximum?
- General fatigue affected. And the competition this time was in the form of the elite in grip and the world record holder Yulia Contractor. I didn't manage to pull my record of 110.5 kilograms. This was probably the only time when I was unable to show my 1RM or update it. To compete with Julia, my result would have to vary from 112 kg. Well, as they say, it's not over yet. I certainly understand that my friends in the plus category squat and pull 200 kg. Anechka from St. Petersburg is pressing strictly 90 kg, Yulia Shenkarenko will easily bypass me on lifting logs and dumbbells. But, alas, very few people are interested in skating every month to Moscow for these stages. Perhaps Dmitry will come up with an online hack next year so that athletes from his world can compete for prizes.
- You have a life motto orand some important quote that guides you when making important decisions?
- Vegan Power - Being a vegan since 2010, I try to live ethically, causing minimal harm to animals, myself and the environment. I try not to fall on my face in the dirt so that there is no reason to claim that all vegans are weaklings.
Does a strict vegan diet limit you?
- No, it helps to find inner strength and motivation, makes you move on. It's more than just a selection of foods on your plate. You need to understand that animals have feelings, desires and emotions. We cannot organize genocide of earthlings without reason and continue to destroy the Earth's ecosystem. We must protect the planet and its inhabitants. Another plus of a vegan diet is that it is very convenient to control weight. I love to eat, and I think that in CrossFit it would be completely uncomfortable for me to compete in a different weight. Although Veronica Darmogay from the plus category does not interfere. And Anya Gavrilova, with her victory at the Grand Prix, proved that the main thing is to have a desire. Deep down, I certainly hope more athletes decide to go vegan. Several vegans are already active in cross-lifting. We will not stop there. I am ready to help those who want to learn more about veganism.
- I'm not retired yet I think that I have everything ahead.
- What would you advise novice athletes to pay attention to in order to achieve success in this sport?
- It is difficult to say something without seeing a person at work. All advice I give only personally. Contact
