Where can you meet the state trainer of the RK of pentathlon as not in competition?
We talked with Oxana Dmitriyenko just during the Open Swimming Championship of Kazakhstan Federation of Modern Pentathlon in Astana.
- Oksana Valentinovna, how do you assess the past season of Kazakhstan masters of pentathlon?
- This season Kazakhstan pentathletes received ambiguous season. At the beginning of this year, our athletes showed very good results - Andrei Soldatov twice got to the final of the competition, Arina Dzhiyenbalanova, who refers to the last year of juniors , also held twice in final of the World Cup. Pavel Iliyashenko was among 20 strongest pentathletes of world during four stages. But at the World Championships in Kaoshinge (Taipei), our athletes did not meet the expectations of their coaches. To justify Kazakhstan`s athletes, I can say that the Championship of Asia and Oceania, held in Astana, was the main event in the last season for all of us. And here Kazakhstanis were very successful, became champions. In addition, international judges and observers, including the president of the International Federation (UIPM) Dr. Klaus Schormann, praised the organization of the tournament and offered in the near future to host the World Cup in Astana. And, actually, we can hold the World Cup. This proposal will be considered by the KFMP leadership in the near future.
- We have not seen our rising star Arina Dzhiyenbalanova this year at the World Championships and the Asian Championship. They said, it was related to her injury.
- We are all very upset us that Arina have not finished the 2013 season - she was injured (broken clavicular bone) right before the World Junior Championships and was forced to be a spectator during the all remaining starts. But she is very well established in another role. Arisha commented competitions in English during the Asian Championships and Oceania! By this, she surprised not only the coaching staff of our Federation, but the President of KFMP - Berik Imashev. But we hope that in the new season Arina Dzhiyenbalanova will please fans of Kazakhstan for her achievements in the Modern Pentathlon.
- What has changed in the life of the Federation after it came under the wing of "Samruk- Kazyna”?
- After "Samruk- Kazyna" became our General sponsor, the situation in Kazakhstan pentathlon has dramatically changed. We were able to acquire the necessary sports equipment (and it is very expensive in the pentathlon.) Now we can carry out a training camp at the highest level. And perfectly organize very serious competition. And this is to say, we became the champions of Asia.
- What are the challenges facing the team next season?
- The main task in 2014 is a successful performance at the Asian Games to be held in Korea. Kazakhstan men's team will have to fight for the gold medals, both individually and in the team standings. We are waiting from women the gold in individual competitions and the silver in the team. It would be great to win the team gold!
Author: Oleg Akhmetov