DONATA KARALIENĖ, 1989, LITHUANIA
Silver medal in women's double scull at the World Rowing Championships 2023
Silver medal at the III Rowing World Cup 2023, silver medal at the European Rowing Championships 2023.
What is the main trait of your character?
Responsibility.
Has it influenced your sports career?
Yes.
What virtue do you wish you had?
Self-control.
Fun fact about you.
My husband and my two sons have the same birthday.
Do you have a motto for life?
It's all in your mind.
Your second favorite sport.
Cross-country skiing.
Three athletes you admire.
Kobe Bryant, Ruta Meilutyte, Virginijus Alekna.
What is the sporting milestone you remember most?
Winning the World Championship in 2013.
How did you become a fan of your sport?
I was signed by a coach when I was in high school.
Who has helped you the most to achieve your sports dream?
My trainers.
Your greatest achievement?
To be world champion.
And your worst failure?
There are too many to name just one.
What has the sport taught you for life?
That there is no need to give up, hard work always pays off.
How would you like fans to remember you?
As a good person.
What is the biggest challenge in your sport?
Make a good team with your colleagues.
What is the most important aspect of any training?
Enjoy it.
Do you have any rituals or hobbies before a competition?
Yes.
What role has your upbringing played in your sports career?
Understanding human anatomy.
And what role has sport played in your education?
It was very hard to row and study at the same time, considering that we trained seven days a week and used to spend the whole spring training at training camps abroad. At that time I couldn't study online, so I had to do exams and papers in just one or two weeks at the end of each semester. Those years were crazy.
Before my first Olympic Games I decided to take a sabbatical from my studies, but now I wouldn't do it again because in practice it didn't really make me faster or more motivated. I think it's very important to balance sport and studies because one helps to take a break from the other.
A tip for the younger ones.
Be authentic.