EYOF stars – Oliver Kasala

Only less than six months remain to the start of the largest sporting event that Bánska Bystrica has ever organised. We would like to introduce the section “EYOF stars.” We have identified the greatest Slovak hopes in individual sports and they will be gradually introduced to the fans at regular intervals. 

The first adept to the highest positions is the sports gymnast Oliver Kasala, who will celebrate his eighteenth birthday on July 13. The finalist of the 2020 European Junior all-round event competition is happy to follow the footsteps of his role model Ilila Kovtuna. “I like his approach to other competitors and coaches, how he performs and competes at a very high level,” says Oliver. In addition, we interviewed Oliver on three other topics: 

1. What it means for you to participate in the EYOF on the home soil? 

“For me, the EYOF Banská Bystrica 2022 means a lot and I am glad that I was nominated for this event, which takes place in Slovakia. It will be my major race. I am very happy and will give the best performance I can.” 

2. As an athlete, how do you perceive the Olympic values and fair play, which are undoubtedly linked to the EYOF? 

“I agree with the Olympic values. Sportsmen should be fair to each other, respect each other, but also be competitive and drive each other.” 

3. What is your greatest sport success and what does it mean to you?

My biggest sporting success was at the 2020 European Championships in Mersina, Turkey, where I reached the final of the all-round. I finished 23rd there. 

In which event you will compete at the EYOF?

In gymnastic all-round event.

Get to know Oliver better:

Training in the morning or evening?

I train in the morning and also in the afternoon, but I train better in the afternoon. 

Sea or mountains?

Mountains.

Sweet or salty food?

Sweet.

Meat or salade?

Meat.

Olympic title or a world record? 

To become an Olympic champion means more to me. 

We look forward to great performances at EYOF