Mandzyn: With Belova, perhaps, the work was not so intensive until mid-summer

Ukrainian biathlete Vitaly Mandzyn spoke about preparation for the season under the guidance of the new head coach of the man Ukrainian national team Nadezhda Belova.

“She basically didn’t know us as athletes before the start of the season, and it was hard for her to come up with something or expect something. And we also didn’t know what to expect, so the first two or three training camps were for getting acquainted with the working principle, with what level the team is at. I don’t like comparing coaches, that some are better, some are worse. Each coach is good in their own way, in their own way they bring some innovations. A good athlete gains certain knowledge from working with any coach.”

“Perhaps, the work was not so intensive until mid-summer. Probably, more emphasis was placed on shooting and its accuracy, various coordination exercises that warm up and prepare the body specifically for work. Accordingly, after such a combined stage, half a summer of pouring into work, we more or less began to do some active intensive work. I would not say that it was easy – it was quite difficult.”

“Maybe it was a bit unusual for me at first, because with Juraj Sanitra, we started doing such active work, specifically speed work, a bit earlier, and now a bit later. But in my still rather short career, I haven’t had much time to work with different coaches.”

“As for the physical condition and how this work will affect me in the future, I think that it will only be positive, or, on the contrary, the results at competitions will be a counterbalance, but I think that for each work there is a certain reason. Therefore, I am sure: the coach knows what she does, what she gives us, and the work that we do will 100% transform into a good result.”

Mandzyn, together with the Ukrainian national team, is preparing to participate in the 2024 Summer World Championship. Vitaliy will compete in junior competitions.

The 2024 Summer Biathlon World Championships will be held in Otepää, Estonia, from August 22 to 25. The competition will begin with super sprints among juniors and elite, followed by sprints. On the final day of the World Championships, juniors will compete in pursuit races, while elites will compete in mass starts.