“One of the reasons we did this is so that more people will know about biathlon.” Karim Khalili and Anastasia Goreeva – in a program on TNT

Off season Khalili And Goreeva It is happening in a very intense way: this summer, the couple tried themselves as participants in the TNT show “Jeux sans frontières”, which starts on August 18 at 9:00 p.m. They had to undergo various physical tests and in September, the couple would get married.

Karim Khalili shared with the emotions he felt on the project, and also talked about the training camp, where, unfortunately, there were injuries.

“Iranians were surprised to meet someone in Russia who spoke their language”

— How did you become a participant in the show? Did you have any doubts about whether to participate or not?

— A good friend of mine told me about this project. He asked me if I wanted to try it. I immediately accepted and treated it like a show. When I was already inside, it was like going to an amusement park: it was time to have fun (laughter). The shooting ideally coincided with the period when I was at home, so I did not sacrifice the training process or participation in training camps. It’s just that my professional activity comes first.

— You participated in the show with Nastya Goreeva, whom you will marry very soon. A nice experience?

– When you are next to a close person you know very well, you feel much calmer. It was only a positive experience. We received the invitation at the same time. We felt as comfortable as possible: we easily find a common language both in training and in life. We helped and advised each other. In my opinion, if unfamiliar people take part in such tests, it is certainly more difficult for them. We had no problems.

— Were the tests similar to the familiar and favourite mixed singles events in biathlon?

– Something similar, yes, I agree.

— People from different countries took part in the project. During the filming, did the feelings you had during international competitions come back to you?

— Although I perceived it as entertainment, it was still nice to see athletes from other countries. It was nice to communicate with them, to remember foreign languages. We communicated with Americans and Chinese. And also with Iranians with whom I could communicate in my native language, our language is quite similar. I speak well, enough for communication.

— And how did they perceive that a Russian biathlete could speak the Iranian language?

— They were pleasantly surprised (laughter). To come to Russia, participate in such a project and meet someone who can speak to them in their language.

— Did foreigners know anything about you and biathlon?

“Many of them were studying their rivals and collecting information on the Internet. I certainly didn’t ask you if you knew who I am or what I do (laughter). In communication, everyone shared stories about who played where. Then I followed a few guys on social networks and found out that many of them performed quite well in international competitions.

— Yulia Stupak has already participated in the show “Titans”, and you and Nastya participated in “Games Without Borders”. Does this mean that our skiers and biathletes have become more open to new projects?

— One of the reasons why we came here: they will know about biathlon not only on , but also on another channel. Maybe people who know nothing about biathlon will want to watch the races.

“Worst case scenario, you’ll have to have surgery during the season.”

— Will Nastya perform under your name at the summer competition?

— We are planning, yes. By then, she should change her last name. We will get married in August and celebrate the wedding itself at the end of September, when everyone has a free schedule.

— Do you remember how last season, after your victories, when big prizes were awarded, many joked that this money would go to the wedding. Enough?

— I probably won’t say how much it costs (laughter). It’s not a cheap pleasure, especially now.

— In July you were in Tyumen. Tell us how and with whom you spent this internship?

— As planned, I organized a training camp with Artem Istomin’s group, and more precisely with him. Now he has young girls in his group, and I train according to a different program. I must have been a little late for the appointment because I got injured when I fell off my bike.

— Are you seriously injured?

— I injured my shoulder quite badly, so the last month of preparation had to be adjusted. It fell during training, or more precisely: when it was already ending. It turns out that my contact pedals did not come off in time. It’s a pity. And it often happens that such small things lead to problems.

— Did you manage to heal your injury before training camp?

— I underwent rehabilitation in Moscow, and when I arrived at the training camp, I continued to work, so to speak, on the health of my shoulder. But even now I can’t train fully, and a month has already passed. I can’t do many strength exercises and I can’t return to my previous weights. As for shooting, in July I shot only 2-3 times in a prone position, because it hurts to lie on the mat and insert the rifle into my shoulder. In general, there are many nuances in which you have to limit yourself.

— Is there any idea when the restoration process will be completely completed? And what do the doctors say?

– It’s hard to say. Some are inclined to surgery, but for now they have decided to start the season without surgery. Rehabilitation and recovery continue, every day it gets better and I hope I will be in full combat readiness for the season.

— Are you at risk because you haven’t had surgery?

— If no unforeseen situation occurs in the form of a fall or something else, there should be no alarm. In the worst case, you will have to have an operation during the season.

“I wish there would be no misunderstandings between me and Kaminsky. We are making a common cause”

— Don’t you have any problems with competition, since now there are very young biathletes in Istomin’s group?

— Last year, Daniil and I couldn’t train because we spent a lot of time sick. We didn’t really do any speed training. Now that the whole month of July was over, I didn’t need to train anymore. On the line, it’s a different matter: you also have to adjust the rate of fire, but these girls from the Istomin team compete easily.

– Nastya is also with Artem Evgenievich?

– Yes. If I was delayed and arrived late to the last training camp, then she is fully training with him.

— Do you plan to continue working alone or with Istomin?

— I think 85% of the preparation is joint work. On other points, we can disagree. For example, when the group organizes a mountain rally, I may not spend as much time at altitude and go down to the plains. But because of the injury, everything has to be adjusted on the fly, so it is difficult to make long-term plans.

– Is anyone else helping you?

— Andrey Prokunin advises me on shooting training. I approached him after the season and he agreed. He even came to the training camp. I would also like to thank my sponsors, my region and the CSP for helping me during this difficult period.

— After the season, did you have the desire and opportunity to continue working with Yuri Kaminsky in the national team? Maybe it’s time to forget the grievances of the past?

— I already said earlier that I see my development with another coach, so at one point I made such a decision. But of course I would like there to be no misunderstandings between us. After all, we do the same thing.

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