Daria Bilodid is the rose of Ukraine

Double World Champion Daria Bilodid, was announced as the athlete of the year, but she was not the only member of the Bilodid household to receive a prize on that day. In Ukraine three judoka were nominated at a special ceremony in Ukraine’s sport industry. Her parents, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Genadiy Bilodid, won the award for best coach of the year.

Also nominated for best athlete of the year were world class sports stars from athletics and fencing but The Eternity Rose in judo succeeded, having had such an incredible year at the highest level.

Bilodid fought at many competitions since she was at a young age and was very motivated to succeed and step into the footlights of daddy. Her personal achievements stood out from the beginning as a Cadet at any level. The motivation to become as good as her parents could be seen in her eyes. She's been a growing diamand entering the tatami the challenge though was to find the right balance in her coaching by her parents. In this the Bilodid's stood out, both as a father and mother in their role as coach and parent. Although Daria was unable to attend the awards evening to receive the prize herself. She was, in true champion style, continuing training and preparing for the next competition, as her ultimate goal is. Now uncertain due to the coronavirus, you can bet she will be ready to continue in this category U48kg for one more year. She loves good food, healthy lunches and chocolate, she also loves to treat herself well and her sponsor contracts allow that. She is a judoka and business woman at the same time and on the other hand, she represents judo in style.

Bilodid on the current crisis: “Only in such difficult life periods you realize that you really need to appreciate every moment. We often complain about our lives, thinking that we live badly, not at all as we would like, but after all we never thought about what we have. We never paid attention to the fact that we can communicate with people without fear of them, that we can walk without wearing masks and gloves, train in gyms, go to the cinemas, eat in restaurants and travel around the World. But now, when our possibilities are limited, we really understand how bright our life was before. We all really want everything get better as soon as possible and I hope that we will revise our life values ​​and enjoy all that surrounds us.”

The young flower though reacted on the celebrations as the best Ukrainian athlete: “It is a great honour for me to be recognised as the best athlete of Ukraine for 2019, since in our country there are many worthy and strong athletes who also deserve recognition. I am very happy that I was nominated, because being the best athlete is prestigious and I am also pleased that my work and achievements are appreciated so highly." 

"It’s doubly wonderful that I share this victory with my parents, having had them recognised as the best coaches of the year. This is a great family achievement for us!  We are not going to stop there. We will continue to work and conquer new heights!”