"So that emotions don't accumulate inside, I splash them out on the track"

The traditional Moscow Sabre fencing tournament is taking place in the Russian capital these days. He is causing a special stir among the public due to the presence of a whole group of stars who have achieved success in the international arena. Two–time Olympic champions Sofia Velikaya, Yana Yegoryan and Olympic champion - 2020 in the team championship Olga Nikitina compete in the women's sabre. But at the women's individual competitions held on March 14, the young Veronika Bulukova, last year's champion of Russia and the BRICS Games in team competitions, also attracted attention.

At the Moscow Sabre, she reached the semifinals, losing only to the future winner of the tournament Nikitina. In an interview with Izvestia, Bulukova assessed the chances of performing on the international stage, talked about competition in the women's sabre and explained why she screams loudly after victories and injections counted in her favor.

— Are you satisfied with the result?

— In general, yes. But you can do better.

— How did you become a prize-winner?

— I think that the will to win and my stubborn character helped me on this difficult day.

— A year ago, Dmitry Glotov, the head coach of the Russian national sabre team, said that you had a great future, although few people knew about you. Was it very motivating?

— To be honest, this is the first time I've heard about it, that Dmitry Vladimirovich spoke like that. Sure, it's nice, but there's never a limit to perfection. And I always want to work harder and harder. I think I can do it. At least I believe in myself, my coach believes in me, and my family supports me in this.

— It is known that many fencers scream loudly after successful shots and after victories. But in some confrontations on the Moscow Saber, you surpassed everyone in this regard. Why so many emotions?

— Yes, it is very energizing and helps to vent emotions. So that they don't accumulate inside, I splash them out on the path (smiles).

— Why did you behave less emotionally during the lost semifinal against Olga Nikitina?

"She was too sure of herself. Perhaps because I gave a lot of emotions in previous fights. And sometimes it happens that I get lost in battle and there is no way to vent my emotions because I can't find tactics. And so in the semi-final with Olga, I chose the wrong tactics at the beginning. But it seems to me that in the end I managed to impose a struggle on her.

— Is it possible to break through to the top in the women's sabre in the coming years with such stars as Sofia Velikaya, Yana Egoryan, Olga Nikitina and Sofia Pozdnyakova?

— I think now is the time. Yes, the competition is high, but thanks to the girls for giving us a lot of experience.

— Which of the four star Russian sabre players do you consider yourself most similar to in fencing style?

— I think it's on St. Sophia the Great.

— And which of them are your closest friends?

— I communicate well with all the girls before.

— With the exception of the BRICS Games, you had no experience of performing on the international stage. Is there any hope that there will be a chance to get to the World or European Championships soon?

— I haven't had a chance to perform on the international stage yet, but maybe I'll be able to perform there under my own flag. It's unclear yet. An unstable situation, as far as I'm concerned. Therefore, we are waiting for the go-ahead from there (smiles and points his head up).