Krisztina Gyimes

World Rowing: Why did you start rowing?
Krisztina Gyimes: I love every kind of water. I used to swim for 8 years, but then I needed a change. My father used to be a rower, and I asked him if I could try it. He didn’t allow me to because he had a back injury, and he wanted to save mine. I asked him every day for a year and finally got on his nerves, so he introduced me to rowing. Since that day I can’t live without rowing.

WR: When you first arrived in the US, what was your initial reaction?
KG: My coach, Zenon Babraj is a very clever man, he has a huge amount of knowledge, and his passion about rowing is amazing. When I got to USC I felt during the first practice that it was the best decision ever to come here. I can completely trust him. My academic professors are also very helpful.

WR: What has been the biggest challenge studying in the US?
KG: I’ve learned that my home is inside me. I can live everywhere, but I have to stay on balance and trust myself. Of course I miss my family and friends but I don’t allow myself to feel that; I can’t manage my life without them.
All in all I don’t feel that too much has changed. I just do what I like to do and enjoy every little piece of it and grab the opportunities to become better.

WR: How do you balance rowing and studies?
KG: I don’t have a big problem with it. Sometimes it’s hard to do the readings when I’m tired but I really like the combination. It feels like I have two different lives that connect to each other through my personality.

With rowing I explore my boundaries. I test myself every day, do more than yesterday and try to improve my technique and get stronger. With my studies I try to become an expert of Labor Economics. I’m currently working on a publication about how to build a more efficient labor force.

WR: What reaction do you get from non-rowing classmates when they find out you row?
KG: In Hungary, they ask weather is it paddling or canoe. They don’t know anything about rowing. In the US everybody proud of me. The Trojan Family is built very well.

WR: What was your most difficult training session?
KG: My coordination is not the best and learning new exercises is kind of hard for me. So I usually end up with extra practices. But I think it’s a good way to expand my boundaries.

WR: What is your favourite race? Why?
KG: Long distance races, like 5k or 10k. I really enjoy rowing at a high rate. My 5k record is at rate 35.
Last year I took part at the Silver Skiff Regatta in Italy. The rowing tradition is unbelievably good there. I’ve never seen such nice boathouses before.  I just enjoyed the rowing and passed many boats, but I didn’t expect to be so fast. I won in the U23 category and finished second overall. I was perfectly happy.

WR: Describe the busiest day you have had at university.
KG: I make a new record almost every day. I wake up at 5:30am and sometimes get home around 9pm. At the beginning of the semester I didn’t have time for lunch during weekdays. I have to keep everything very organised.

WR: Do you have a favourite workout? What about least favourite?
KG: I really like rating high, above 40. During the season the 2-4x 10×30”/30” or 1’/1’ is perfect. Out of season it’s 5k or 10k.
I don’t have least favourites, I consider them as on opportunity to become better and I just convince myself to like them.

WR: How do you transition between university rowing and competing for your national team in Hungary?
KG: Last year, we finished with the NCAA (US University Championships) on June 2nd. We flew back to Los Angeles, I went for a last weight practice by myself and that flight to home right after. I took 2 days off with my family, and then I went to speak with the Federation. I ended up competing in double a week later, even though I had sculled less than 100k in the year. But I didn’t feel anything weird; it was as good as before.

WR: What are your future plans in rowing?
KG: Row in Rio and at the following Olympic Games. I’d like to experience how rowing is on the front line.