Eteri Tutberidze: “How have I changed over the years? Probably the only thing I’ve realized is that I don’t want to force anyone to work or drag them to medals. I want to see someone who is just as motivated.”
Eteri Tutberidze reflected on her coaching philosophy.
original source: Sport Express / MatchTV
Eteri Tutberidze reflected on her coaching philosophy, emphasizing she no longer wants to force athletes toward medals and values genuine motivation and joy in the process. Here’s a translation of her comment.
Eteri Tutberidze shared that she doesn’t see herself as an “iron lady.”
“I don’t feel like an iron lady. That label was put on me. I am who I am – completely ordinary. Even the title of honored coach doesn’t change anything. I work for myself, I’m not proving anything to anyone. I do everything for myself.
I have nothing to regret. The only thing I regret is that you should love and care for your parents while they’re alive,” said Tutberidze.
“Eteri Tutberidze: I don’t think I set particularly high standards for myself. I’m not tired of it. If something didn’t work out, it means someone else was better.
Q: Was there ever a student whose talent you didn’t see right away?
Eteri Tutberidze: I don’t always look for talent specifically. I look at how the child works and their psychological resilience. When you invest in an athlete, you have to understand you’re moving forward together, including with their parents. If someone says, “I absolutely want my child to become an Olympic champion,” then it’s an immediate no.
What guarantees did I have that I’d achieve coaching success? Even now, there are none. You just have to work in a way that leaves no regrets.
Q: Was there ever a moment you wanted to quit everything?
Eteri Tutberidze: No. There are moments when something is upsetting. But you always understand you have to keep working. I cherish any thoughts I send out into the universe. I tell my athletes the same: cherish what you have.”
“How have I changed over the years? Probably the only thing I’ve realized is that I don’t want to force anyone to work or drag them to medals. I want to see someone who is just as motivated, who wants and dreams. Any process goes better with joy than when it’s a struggle and the child doesn’t want it and suffers. Then that athlete doesn’t even feel joy from the medal they receive,” Tutberidze told.
Related topics: Eteri Tutberidze
Leave a Reply