Interview with second-place American Cup finisher, Mykola Kuksenkov of Ukraine

Mykola Kusenkov finished second in the American Cup for the second year in a row.  Gymnastike caught up with him after the meet, entirely in English, to hear about his competition and find out what he most wants to do in New York. 

 
Mykola at the 2010 World Championships   
AP photo 

Gymnastike:  Mykola, second place in your second American Cup.  How do you feel about your meet?

Mykola:  I feel good, a great competition for me.  No big mistakes, so a good start to the year.

Gymnastike:  What was your highlight today?

Mykola:  High bar, I think.  I was good everywhere, maybe not good enough, but for me, it’s a good result. 

Gymnastike:  You said last year that the most important thing for you was for your team to qualify to the Olympics.  You helped make that happen.  How do you feel about your team going to the Olympics?

Mykola:  I think my team is strong enough to compete in the Olympic games.  And we showed good gymnastics at the world championships in Tokyo.  Also, the young gymnast, Oleg Veranaiaev, he was sixth today.  He had two mistakes today, on vault and rings, but I think he’s very young.  He has a good future for our country and our team, and I think we’ll be good for the Olympic games.   We have one more young guy, so we are strong.

Gymnastike:  Do you think you could make it to the podium?

Mykola:  I hope so.  Everybody wants to win a medal.  It’s the dream of each gymnast.  But it’s gymnastics.  Everything can happen.  So I’ll do my best. 

Gymnastike:  Thanks so much.  Good luck.