Vadim Khamuttskikh interview to the program “Russian Volleyball”

- Volleyball for the citizens of Belgorod is the same as hockey for people who live in Omsk - integral part of living.

With the appearance of Vadim Khamuttskikh, not long ago, quite and peaceful city, turned into one big fan club of this bearded volleyball player. His beard would not let a lot of people have a minute's peace, and when last year before the Final of the Championship of Russia Vadim shaved, everybody started talking that this action attracted fortune: and actually it worked. But for a long time, with the integral part of his image, player doesn’t separate. Although, even 15 years ago, when the athlete went give his soldier's duty to his country, there were no talks about beard.

Vadim Khamuttskikh: I came to the recruiting center and by echelon traveled first to Archangelsk, if to be exact, close to Archangelsk – to Pliseck, and after this were official journeys to Komi, and, at last - transfer to the reserve. But that’s OK – my serve wasn’t bad, in “King’s Forces”, as they were called those days. And if to say in other way – military – building detachment, or simply - stroybat (building battalion).

- What else to say, a small number of present days volleyball players were in army. And even less of those, who served not in sport-company, but in regular combatant service, and especially after this return to professional sport. But Khamuttskikh could! 

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V.Kh.: At first I was invited to SCA, where I spent two seasons. And there, when I was in Rostov, we always played in the same group with Belgorod, and then Gennady Shipulin displayed initiative and invited me to Belgorod.

- And Shipulin didn’t make a mistake: soon small Vadim became the main setter in Belgorod team, and then in Russian National Team. Since then 12 years past, and three Olympics with “Beard”. But for 35-years old setter it is not a limit.

V.Kh.: Well, even after the last Olympic game in Athens I said, that I’m actually ready and I’ll try to hold out one more Olympic cycle – till Olympics in Beijing. Although here, of course, not everything depends only on me.

- Many people can only envy how Khamuttskikh can be on the wave crest that swept over the Russian National Volleyball Team for so many years. The player himself knows exactly what’s the pledge of success.

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V.Kh.: Naturally, that the first helper for the coaches is a setting player. And there also suppose to be some initiative, without which, as I think, setter won’t feel himself free on the pitch, if he works like robot – only something that he was told to do. So, in my opinion, it is struggle for living of people themselves – you should get pleasure of something that you do: despite the age, try to make up something new, invent… But the most important is to give yourself to the work completely.

- It is impossible not to remember Vadim’s stingy mans’ tear in Milan, after Lokomotiv Belogorie won in the Final match of Champions League. Who sad, that men don’t cry?

Emotions were unspeakable a year after, when Belogorie became the winner of the Cup again.

- Are you happy?
V.Kh.: Yes!!!

- Not without a purpose Khamuttskikh is called the most emotional and passionate volleyball player in Russia. Actually when you talk about Khamuttskikh, epithet “the most” is used quit a lot. And not everybody deserves to get the medal of Order “For merits before Fatherland” II degree.

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By Natalia Davidenko