Interview with Alaina Kwan (BLR)
What happened during your first routine, on Uneven Bars, where you had to jump off near the end of the routine to adjust your grip?
I was doing well. I caught my Tkatchev a little too close but kept going so I could still do my Pak (salto) to the low bar. Then the next thing I know, I saw my grips and they were coming off. But I still tried to keep going. I noticed this in the first half of the routine but I thought, ‘OK, you have to keep going, no matter what.’ After I did my half turn going into the end of my routine, they finally came off. One came off all the way. So when I did the kip, I said, ‘OK, I have to fix the grip.’ I couldn’t keep going like that because it would have been dangerous. I managed to get through the routine and kept going.
What caused you to go overtime on Balance Beam?
I feel that maybe my brain was getting in front of me. I was trying to think of every step of my skills, to do the technique and focus and stay strong throughout the routine. I think it got the best of me and made me go overtime.
Although it’s been only a few minutes since you competed, what have you already learned from your performance here?
I feel I’ve gotten so much experience. I felt really good after my beam routine, having made it through even with the jitters. I thought, ‘OK, I know I can do this.’ So I know I gained more trust in myself.
What do you think of reactions to your recent change of national affiliation from USA to Belarus?
I get it. People have their opinions. For me personally, I try not to stay updated with the critics and everything. I’m here to do what I love and see how far I can go. I did see some social media stuff, but I try to block that out and stay away from it. Instead, I focus and do what I do.
