Sacha BUWALDA: "I have become stronger, elder and more experienced"

Dutch sambist Sacha Buwalda won the World Beach SAMBO Championships in Morocco. She won the gold medal in the women's 59 kg weight category. In an interview for the FIAS website after her victory, Sacha told us what trick she used in the final bout, what the long-awaited "gold" means to her, and how it will affect her preparation for the World Championships in Kazakhstan.

Sacha, please share your first thoughts after the victory.

- At the two previous World Beach SAMBO Championships, I came in second, stopping just one step away from the "gold". And now, finally, I have won the coveted medal. Of course, I am incredibly happy!

What has changed? What helped you win?

– I have become stronger, elder and more experienced. In addition, my family supported me from the stands. My parents and my boyfriend came to Morocco. It's a special feeling to win for them when they are around.

Your medal is not only the first beach gold in your personal collection, but also the first gold medal for the entire Dutch team in the history of the World Beach SAMBO Championships.

– Indeed, this day in Casablanca was a historic moment for Dutch SAMBO. I am glad that I was involved in this and was able to contribute to the development of our national SAMBO.

Let's talk about the final. It seemed that the bout was not in your favor, because at the end of the bout you were losing in activity. Was it difficult to fight under pressure?

– We discussed this point with the coach before the start of the final. You could even say that this was our plan: I gave my opponent the opportunity to earn activity, after which she already felt like a winner mentally.

In addition, by the end of the bout she was more tired, because she spent her energy on earning activity. And it was at that moment that I prepared and carried out a good attack, which helped me win. So our plan worked 100 percent.

Apart from the plan, did you have any special preparation for the Beach SAMBO Championship?

– If we talk about sparring on the sand, then there was nothing like that. We just had a good training camp two weeks ago. We worked on technique and physical fitness to be as prepared as possible for the tournament.

Now you have a new preparation ahead of you – for the World SAMBO Championships in Kazakhstan?

– Yes, I have a lot of work ahead of me. And the medal from the World Beach SAMBO Championships will give me additional motivation for training. First, I have a week of rest planned, and then I return to intensive work in the gym. I have two months of intense training ahead of me before the World Championships in Astana.