Vladimir Stankevich – about the future European Championship and the life of the team during the war with Russia
The head coach of the Ukrainian fencing team Volodymyr Stankevich spoke about winning two medals at the World Cup in Georgia, preparing for the European Championship in Turkey, psychological work with wards and motivation to win for Ukraine.
“The training camp started on the 31st, after returning from the World Cup in Tbilisi. We brought two awards from Georgia: the first place – Vladimir Stankevich, the third – Igor Reyzlin, – said the specialist. — These medals are a very good result for the team. Also, such victories help us keep the guys motivated so that they understand that it is possible to train and defend our country on the fencing track and give inspiration to their compatriots. I believe that everyone should do the work that they should do, and athletes should protect the sports front.
However, our fencers not only train and perform, but also actively engage in volunteering. For example, Evgeny Makienko, before the start of the World Cup, he actively helped the residents of Kyiv, he was even a little late for the training camp. Also in this regard, I would like to mention Maxim Khvorost, our experienced epee fencer from Kharkov, who is already gradually moving to coaching. He was actively involved in volunteering in his native city. By the way, at the World Cup I was one of the coaching staff, so Maxim actively helped me in working with the guys.
Makienko has a contract military service, Stankevich too. They are constantly checked in, always ready for a challenge. They train at the base, but if the country needs them in a different role, they are always ready. During training, I set up the guys, saying that the sports front is their front and they must do everything in their power, first of all, on it.
According to Stankevich, the Ukrainian team received a cordial and warm welcome in Georgia. “Georgia is very supportive of us in this difficult time. After the end of the competition, we did a lap of honor around the arena, wrapped in the Ukrainian flag, and absolutely all the spectators applauded us. The Georgians helped us financially, they also arranged a tour of the country in order to sort us out somehow. And the local spectators cheered for us so much that we couldn’t help but win and didn’t bring two medals.
Now we are preparing for the European Championship, which will be hosted by Antalya. We are preparing with full concentration, because it is very important for us that we confirm our high level at each competition and make sure that the Ukrainian flag rises to the highest level of the pedestal. Each of my wards has a desire to prove that Ukraine is strong on all fronts, including sports.
Now we have a lot of support, and mostly it is material support. For us, the organizers of the competition often pay entry fees, help with paying for accommodation and meals. This is very important for us, because it is not so easy to find funds for sports during the war.
I, in turn, as the head coach of the national team, am pleased to see that thanks to such solidarity of the whole world, the guys have the opportunity to perform and not lose shape. And it is especially important, given that in 2023 we will begin the selection for the Olympic Games, and we need to hold it at a decent level.”
The European Fencing Championship starts on June 17 in Turkey.
Source: Sportarena
