Alexey Ostapenko was supposed to be the next Russian volleyball hero. The giant middle blocker found fast success in his youth days, which culminated with a call up from the Russian National Team at only 20 years of old, winning silver medals at the 2007 European Championships, World League, and World, Then, disaster struck, as Ostapenko was part of Russia’s Bronze medal roster at the 2008 Olympic Games, but didn’t see the court, as he suffered an injury during practice that sidelined him for almost three full years.
Somehow, though, Ostapenko found strength to slowly come back to the court, and has had his best season in recent memory with Dynamo Kazan. He talked about his unusual career trajectory with Sport.business-gazeta.ru:
Because of your injury, you almost completely missed three seasons..
Oh, these were very difficult times. I think I missed the golden years of my career, because then I was considered one of the most promising in the world in my position. Very disappointing, but there was nothing to be done – I had a fracture in the tibia. Only surgery and a long recovery. The Olympics brought me not only a medal, but also a serious injury. Two and a half years lost.
Did you go to the 2008 Olympics with an injury?
No, no coach would call me up if I had an injury of this kind. During the examinations, I was diagnosed with inflammation only. Image exams did not show anything terrible. At some point I was so used to the pain that I stopped feeling it. I went to my training, then applied ice to my shin, as is usual with many athletes with nagging pain.
How did you cope with this situation?
My parents and friends helped. It was hard, but I did not despair. I did not accept it as the end of my career. I wanted to come back and play again. I was lucky with my friends, they always strengthened my mood and helped as best they could. I remember I sold my car to finish paying for my apartment, so Yura Berezhko, when he left for Italy, simply left me his car, so that I would feel comfortable.
Now the topic of the national team is no longer relevant?
We now have enough young and promising blockers. I think I have no reason to pull into the national team. It will be more useful for me to devote the off-season to recovery and preparation for the next club season.
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