Inna Veliksar Success Story

Inna Veliksar an athlete.

A brief introduction to yourself?
My name is Inna Veliksar. I was born in Moldova, Chisinau. At the age of 18 moved to London and now I can say I live in both places.

How did you develop your fondness for karate and at what age did you start learning karate?

I’ve been practicing karate since my childhood. My dad was and still is my trainer as well

as the president of our federation. At that time, he was both training others and competing. So looking at him, I got inspired and decided to get involved in karate myself. I was 8 when I started it officially, but in fact, I was into all that since I was born.

What is your style and what rank do you currently hold in karate?
I’ve got a black belt, 2 Dan in Kyokushin Kai karate. It is the only full-contact style of karate.

What do you like more Kata or Kumite?
I love Kumite. I am not a “kata – girl”. At least for now. Maybe when I stop competing in Kumite, I will focus more on kata, who knows.

Do you have a favorite Sensei?
My dad Traian Velixar is my favorite Sensei.

How did you get to this position and how was your journey being in this sport?
I was gradually coming to this level. I didn’t think of it. I was just training, increasing my level, and step by step, I naturally came to black belt.
I always enjoyed it, so it was and remains a really pleasant journey.

Do you take karate as your profession or is it just a hobby?
It’s a part of my life. I work in several directions and do some other things besides karate. But karate is one of them, so it’s not just a hobby.

What challenges did you come across on getting where you are at today?

You can share any injury story as well.
Reading this question, I immediately remembered the recent one. Broken arm.
It happened almost one year ago, a week before a big tournament in Barcelona, where I was supposed to fight. Moreover, it was only the first tournament, followed by some other big competitions, ending up with European Championship.

I was really upset cause I was preparing very hard and I was looking forward to fighting there. A small part of my bone broke off and surgery was required. So obviously, I wouldn’t be able to fight properly for some months.  However, the next day I found out that all the tournaments were canceled. I was not upset anymore. At least not that much.

What motivates you the most about your profession as an athlete?
I’m motivated by the fact that I enjoy it. I like fighting, like training, like the fact that I’m surrounded by my family and friends at the gym. I love the spirit of all that. It’s just great. And it motivates me a lot.

Do you have something you want everyone to learn?

I think everyone should learn how to lose. To be able to accept the defeat and to move on. Not to be demotivated if it happens. You can’t win all the time, and sometimes it’s way more important to lose with honor, not to give up, and to go ahead to your goal than just to win some fight.

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