July 22, 2009 -
Adevarul presents
Vlad Cotuna - the youngest member of the Romanian Olympic team.
Vlad Cotuna
Vlad Cotuna (18 years old) of Timişoara won his first gold medal when he was 10 years old and he's currently training for the Worlds in London (Octobert 2009).
DOB: November 4, 1990 (in Timişoara)
H.S. student @ Liceul cu Program Sportiv „Banatul” (Timişoara)
Vlad Cotuna was selected on the MAG National team in January 2009. "I'm the youngest and I have a lot to learn. You need to put in lots of work, but I am confident that I'll have good results," he stated.
Vald is also studying to be admitted to the Physical Education and Sports College of West University of Timişoara.
Since he was 15 years oldi, Vlad Cotuna was part of the Juniors National team of Romania. He attended the H.S. in Bistriţa-Năsăud and now he transfered to the H.S. "Liceul cu Program Sportiv Banatul." He got is Bac diploma a month ago and now the Worlds in London are his priority!
Vlad started gymnastics when he was 9 because he had lots of energy and always got himself in touble in the neighborhood.
He tried soccer and karate with no success... Then, Vald started training with a gymnastics coach (coach accepted him only because he knew Vlad's father, a former Army guy).
At first, Vald was told he's not good... he was 9.5 years old when he had his fisrt gymnastics training session (while the others started gymnastics since they were 4-5 years old). However, he needed a structured environment and was allowed to attend the training...
One year later, Vlad (10 years old at the time) was able to catch up with all the other juniors and competed in Germany at an international gym event (24 countries were represented). Vlad Cotuna won fhis first gold medal (AA).
What types of sacrificies are involved with gymnastics?Vlad: First off, you sacrifice your youth. There is not much time left for friends, walks Downtown, the little happy moments that come with this particular age.
You must constantly tarin and you need to follow a balanced diet.
How many hours you train per day?
Vlad: I have 3 hours of training in the morning and 3 hours in the evening (Monday through Saturday). Sunday is our day off. It's a crazy rhythm!
Not many kids are willing to practice gymnastics (these days). They are not willing to make those sacrifices, not willing to give up their time off or train hard and parents are not willing to separate from their children for long time (i.e. gymnasts are typically training far from their families, in a Camp out of town/ county).
What he likes
Vlad enjoys BBQ! He would live to have time for fishing or to simply go out with friends.
Training is eating up most of Vlad's time and he needs time to recover if he goes out...
What he dislikes
Vlad doesn't like to waste his time (particularly nights) like so many other young men his age... because this waste of time will negatively impact his training routine.
He is willing to sacrifice in order to obtain great results, to be on top!...
Romanian Muntean (EF - FX) @ 10th European Youth Olympic Festival in Tampere, Finland
Marius Urzică
Cristi Chivu & Nadia Comaneci (July 2009)
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