Childhood and family of Margarita Mamun
Margarita was born on November 1, 1995 in Moscow. The athlete’s father is marine engineer Abdullah Al Mamun, originally from the Republic of Bangladesh. He died of cancer in August 2020. At the very beginning of the 90s, he came to the Soviet Union to study and at the Astrakhan Technical University he met his love - Anna, Margarita’s mother.
Margarita Mamun in childhood
The girl has dual citizenship, and thanks to her Bengali roots, fans gave her the nickname “Bengal Tigress” (another, more affectionate one is “Mamunya”). Until the age of 10, she often traveled to her father’s homeland - in Bangladesh she was impressed by the bamboo thickets and lotus plantings, the ubiquitous cows and chickens that the locals kept instead of pets.
Future champion
Mamun began practicing rhythmic gymnastics at the age of 7 - the Olympic village was located not far from the house where the girl’s family lived. Before that, she had briefly practiced figure skating, but she stopped because of her mother - Anna was afraid that her daughter would fall and break on the ice.
Margarita Mamun chose artistic gymnastics
By today's standards, 7 years is a rather late age to start classes (4 years is considered the ideal age), but the baby was accommodated halfway. And, as it turned out, not in vain. The gap in skill between peers and the distrust of coaches only spurred the purposeful Rita.
Olympic champion Margarita Mamun: “I dedicate my victories to my dad”
On Margarita: lace bra and panties - all Intimissimi; wool cardigan with sequins, Tommy Hilfiger; bracelets made of rose and white gold - all Love, Cartier.
Despite the fact that Margarita Mamun achieved success in sports five years ago, becoming the champion of Russia for the first time (later - in 2012 and 2013 - she confirmed this status twice more), real popularity came on the eve of the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Everyone, of course, is already accustomed to the fact that Russia never loses in rhythmic gymnastics competitions - however, at that time the public wanted to know their heroes in person in advance. By the way, filming, interviews and television broadcasts before the competition did not turn out to be a false start in Rita’s case - she also brought a gold medal to Moscow along with Brazilian souvenirs. Next year, 21-year-old Mamun will add another achievement to her list of sporting achievements: the Italian brand Intimissimi invited the “Bengal tigress” (as she is commonly called among fans) to join the ranks of brand ambassadors. What is the reason for such success? Grazia decided to meet Margarita and hear the story of triumph first hand.
Just recently you became an Olympic champion. What's next?
Indeed, this is the pinnacle of an athlete’s career. Everyone dreams of reaching it, but only a few succeed. In fact, not much time has passed since Rio, so I’m resting for now. But I still continue to train - just in a more relaxed mode.
Do you dedicate your victories to someone?
In the last year - to my father. And my coach Amina Zaripova often before a performance, when I’m already walking to the mat, shouts after me: “With love for dad!” This is exactly what happened at the Olympics - you can even hear it on the recordings of some TV channels.
Tell us about the competition between you and other Russian gymnasts.
Of course, it is very large, but it does not affect the relationship in any way. After all, only members of the rhythmic gymnastics team constantly live together at the base in Novogorsk. Athletes representing other sports usually meet each other for a certain period and then go back to their respective schools. In our case, this is impossible, because Irina Alexandrovna (Irina Viner, President of the All-Russian Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics. - Note: Grazia) lives in Novogorsk. And since she trains us all, that’s where the constant training camps take place. We are like one family: we eat, work in gyms, visit doctors together. But, of course, talented girls step on each other’s heels. Which, however, only gives an incentive to grow and not stop.
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However, you once said, “It doesn’t matter who wins. The main thing is that the Russian flag must rise in the final.” Right?
Yes, we were raised that way from childhood. Irina Alexandrovna always told us these words. And we understand the burden of responsibility before the country that lies on it. Yana and I (we’re talking about rhythmic gymnast Yana Kudryavtseva, Margarita’s friend. - Grazia’s note) even built a system: if she drops the club, then I simply have to prevent mistakes. And vice versa. It happened that both lost their way, Russia lost, and then we heard the phrase: “You girls showed yourself poorly.”
What is the first thing that can prevent a gymnast from performing perfectly?
When we go out on the mat one on one, we fight fears, uncertainty, shortcomings, and hesitations.
Are you self-critical?
Very. Sometimes I tell my mentor: “Look, I’m doing it wrong.” And she replies: “I am a coach and I say that everything is fine. Calm down!"
So in this case the best is not the enemy of the good?
We are always told: “There is no limit to perfection.” Therefore, when Yana does something better, she is given to me as an example - and vice versa. This way we reach out to each other. The audience, as a rule, does not see every mistake, because we try to make everything look easy. But in reality, both the coach and I myself always find shortcomings. By the way, one of my best performances was at the Olympics. No wonder: before the Games we worked like crazy. And this affected the result.
Did the excitement add to your fear or did it still spur you on?
It didn't interfere at all. I admit, sometimes I behaved much worse. And at that time I even felt uneasy because I didn’t feel any worries. Thank God they appeared later - it was worth being at the platform.
On Margarita: bra made of polyester, polyamide and elastane, Tezenis; silk chemise, Bally; jeans, Calzedonia; laminated leather shoes, Prada; white gold bracelet with diamonds, Juste un Clou, white gold necklace with diamonds, emeralds and onyx, Panthe` re de Cartier - all Cartier
Why "thank God"?
Excitement brings you to your senses.
It was a special success for the gymnast to get under the tutelage of Irina Viner. How did you end up among the lucky ones?
I was just lucky. I started playing this sport professionally quite late and ended up in Novogorsk at the age of 15. But it’s all a matter of chance: I know many stories about girls whom Irina Alexandrovna took on from childhood, singled them out from the crowd... But they did not manage to reach the same Olympics. Perhaps the praise weakened them and they stopped working. Success always depends on you. If there is a goal, you go towards it. The rest doesn’t matter: you need to work constantly. And it doesn't matter whether they pay attention to you or not.
According to experts, you are not only a master of technique, but also have a certain trait that helps you win. What is this?
Irina Aleksandrovna states: one of my advantages is emotionality. I go on the carpet as an actress. Before starting, I think: “Don’t let the viewer understand who you really are.” Maybe that’s why I was able to learn to express feelings through body movements.
Some people “blame” your Bengali roots for this.
Sometimes they say that I have an “unsportsmanlike” character. I always lacked anger, bitchiness, and the desire to “break everyone up.” But I perform for fun. And I don’t know what kind of character I would have had if it weren’t for my father, who is from Bangladesh. But obviously my calm temperament comes from him.
What emotions do fashion shoots, interviews, social life evoke in you?
As a true girl, I always liked photo shoots. This world is unusual for me, but interesting.
He obviously likes you too - your status as an Intimissimi ambassador confirms this. How do you like the brand’s aesthetics?
First of all, I love their core collection - it's so comfortable. For example, before performing, I always wear an Intimissimi bodysuit under my suit. Secondly, all the brand’s items are sexy, but at the same time elegant. In addition, I am glad that I am the first athlete with whom the brand collaborates.
Maybe it's a matter of strong character?
This is an individual concept. For me, the most important thing is persistence. This inner core develops over the years and helps a lot!
Does it allow you to believe in yourself more?
First of all. It also gives a clear understanding of what you are doing and what you want.
On Margarita: a lace bra, silk shorts and a robe - all Intimissimi; leather and satin shoes, Jimmy Choo; bracelets made of white and rose gold - all Love, Cartier; bracelets in white and rose gold with diamonds - all Juste un Clou, Cartier.
Photo: Anton Zemlyanoy. Style: Alisa Zhidkova. Interview: Denis Merezhkovsky
Photographer's assistant: Pavel Vedenkin. Stylist assistant: Daria Klepikova. Hair and makeup: Olga Charandaeva @theagent.ru for MAC and Oribe.
We thank the EichhOltz salon (artPlaY design center, Nizh. Syromyatnicheskaya st., 10, building 9 B, 2nd floor) for their help in organizing the shooting
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Sports career of Margarita Mamun
In 2005, 10-year-old Margarita took part in the Miss Valentine Cup gymnastics competition, which was held in Estonia.
In subsequent years, the girl competed once for the Bangladesh team (at a championship that was not held under the auspices of the International Gymnastics Federation), but then she always represented only Russia. In 2006, a promising girl decided to connect her life with professional sports. The girl’s personal trainer was Amina Zaripova, Honored Master of Sports in artistic gymnastics and the wife of musician Alexei Kortnev.
Margarita Mamun and Amina Zaripova
In 2011, Mamun became the Russian champion in all-around and apparatus exercises. In October 2012, Margarita again became the absolute champion of Russia, and then competed at the Aeon Cup World Club Championship, where she took 4th place in the individual all-around.
Margarita Mamun's height is 170 cm
In 2013, the gymnast again received the title of Russian champion and automatically became the leader of the Russian team. Then Mamun took part in her first European Championships in Vienna. Margarita's team, which also included Daria Svatkovskaya and Yana Kudryavtseva, received gold medals.
Weight of Margarita Mamun 50 kg
In the summer of 2013, at the Kazan Universiade, Mamun received a gold medal in the apparatus exercise and in the individual all-around. The girl again showed brilliant results at the final stage of the World Cup in St. Petersburg, and at the World Championships in Kyiv and at the Aeon Cup in Japan
2014 was no less successful for the young gymnast - championship in the all-around at the Moscow Grand Prix, three-time medalist at the Grand Prix in Thieu, a silver place at the World Cup in Stuttgart, 4 medals in Minsk - and this is not the whole list. Margarita's only failure that year was her performance at the European Championships in Baku - the girl suffered three unfortunate losses and took only 5th place in the all-around.
Margarita Mamun in a swimsuit
The following year, Mamun again proved to the world that she is a real champion - gold, silver and bronze medals at all stages of the World Cup. The girl also confirmed her absolute leadership at the Japanese Aeon Cup and distinguished herself at the World Championships in Stuttgart.
World-class
In 2011
After nine years of grueling training and victories at regional competitions, a series of serious successes began. In 2011, Margarita won the Russian Championship, receiving gold for clubs, hoop, ball and all-around. After such a dizzying rise, Mamun Margarita moved to the Olympic village of Novogorsk (Moscow region), which is one of the best in the world in terms of equipment.
In 2011, at the World Cup in Montreal, Margarita won bronze in the all-around, this was the first award in senior, that is, adult sports. The second medal, gold, was for the ball. The coach began preparing the girl for the Moscow Grand Prix.
In 2012
The following year, 2012, Rita performed at the Moscow Grand Prix, where she was only ninth. But Moscow was followed by Kyiv, which hosted the first stage of the world cup. The all-around did not go well again, although the result was better - seventh place. But in three apparatuses - ball, clubs and ribbon, she became a finalist and received 3 bronze medals, respectively.
Margarita sealed 2012 with another championship title, winning the Russian Federation Championship. The next year began again with the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.
In 2013
Rita began 2013 with yet another confirmation of the title of Russian champion; she has already won three times at these prestigious competitions, the competition at which can only be compared with competitions on an international scale. But such success did not give the coach and athlete a reason to relax - the European Championship was ahead.
Rita held her first European championship in the Austrian capital of Vienna. In the team competition, Dasha Svatkovskaya and Yana Kudryavtseva helped her with their results; in the end, everyone received gold. In the individual competition she received gold for the ribbon, and three silvers for the ball, hoop and clubs.
An interesting fact was associated with this Universiade - just before the competition, she developed a severe allergy, which was accompanied by the appearance of red blisters. Rita was more or less treated only at the start of the competition. A little later, a competition was held in the same city, where Margarita received gold for the ribbon, clubs, hoop, and gold for the individual all-around was added to this success.
Until this time, Margarita had only competed in different stages of the world cup, but in 2013 she competed at the World Cup itself in Kiev and immediately received the highest result - two first places for the ball and clubs, and also received a bronze medal for exercises with a hoop.
In 2014
The next stage of the Moscow Grand Prix took place in 2014, where Margarita received gold for exercises with a ball, clubs, and hoop; the ribbon brought silver. The next Grand Prix took place in the southern suburb of Paris, Thiers, where Rita won second place for all-around exercises and became the champion for exercises with clubs.
The next stage of the Grand Prix took place in the Israeli city of Holon, where she won exercises with a ball and hoop, also received gold for the all-around, and a silver medal for the ribbon. The final competitions of this series of Grand Prix took place in the Austrian city of Innsbruck, where Mamun became a real triumphant and absolute champion - a full set of gold awards for exercises with clubs, ribbon, hoop, ball, as well as for all-around.
Do not forget that rhythmic gymnastics consists of little things, and often the gap in points between the leading athletes is so small that any mistake can sharply set you back. This was confirmed by the Baku European Championship in Azerbaijan - she was only fifth in the all-around, the reason was errors with clubs and hoop. But this was a small episode in her sports career, since in Izmir, Turkey, Mamun became the world champion, defeating Sasha Soldatova and Yana Kudryavtseva together. In the finals, the athlete received two gold medals for the ribbon and ball, and three silver medals for exercises with clubs, hoop and in the individual all-around.
The year ended with another record result - Rita became the champion in all events at the Aeon Cup.
In 2020
In 2020, Margarita did not miss a single stage of the world cup, having traveled to many European and Russian cities at these competitions. Lisbon brought home a silver medal in the all-around and a gold medal for exercises with ribbon, ball and hoop. The Romanian capital of Bucharest awarded the gymnast a silver medal for the hoop and ball exercise, as well as for the all-around. The Hungarian capital Budapest brought the champion title for exercises with clubs, a silver medal was for exercises with a ball, ribbon, hoop and all-around. The Bulgarian capital Sofia pleased with second place for the ribbon, hoop, and all-around. At two stages of the World Cup - in the cities of Tashkent and Kazan, Margarita Mamun became the absolute champion in all disciplines.
Then there was the World Championships in the capital of the German state of Baden-Württenberg, Stuttgart, where Rita received a gold medal in the all-around with Sasha Soldatova and Yana Kudryavtseva. There was also gold for the hoop, silver for performing with a ribbon and a ball. The individual all-around brought silver. In addition to numerous awards, Mamun received a ticket to the Olympic Games, for which the champion and her coach A. Zaripova began preparing in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.
Margarita Mamun at the Rio Olympics
Traditionally starting 2020 with numerous victories at international tournaments and championships, the girl went to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Margarita Mamun with clubs. Grand Prix 2016 Irina Viner-Usmanova became Mamun’s mentor in the team. On August 20, 2016, Margarita took gold in the individual all-around, ahead of her main rival and friend, Yana Kudryavtseva, who was awarded a silver medal. The 20-year-old athlete scored 76.483 points based on the results of 4 exercises (hoop, ball, club and ribbon). Margarita Mamun in Rio at the Olympics The victory came at a double price for Rita - in Rio she began to become dehydrated and her temperature rose to 39 degrees. Due to the treatment, she had to forget about training for a week. After the end of the Olympics, for her high achievements in sports, Margarita received the Order of Friendship and the Medal “For Strengthening the Military Commonwealth.” After the Olympics, the girl took a short vacation to rest and recuperate.
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