Modern pentathlon, in other words pentathlon, has been progressively developing on permanent basis in Kazakhstan only the third year.
During this time the Kazakhstan Federation of Modern Pentathlon showed good results. The highest achievement became medals of the Asian Championship, which was held in Astana in October last year. That time our athletes won 9 awards of different samples. On what purpose the Federation poses in the new season, we have asked the Head coach of RK Vadim Chudnovsky.
- Vadim Maksovich what competition is a priority for you for the upcoming season?
- Among the juniors the main starts in 2014 are Youth Olympic Games to be held in China, where, I hope, one boy and one girl will get to. I can not say the names, as now we are holding preliminaries. In fact, the last selection for the Games is the World Junior Championship. The world championship will be held in May 2014 in Hungary, they will decide who gets to the game and who doesn`t. Youth Olympics will be held in August.
The adult team`s important tournaments are the World Cup, World Championship and our main goal is Summer Asian Games in South Korea, which will be held in September this year.
I would like to point out some innovations this year. Because of the complex specifics of equestrian sport and fencing, the International Federation of pentathlon decided to hold the World Cup on triathle (running, swimming and shooting) and biathle (running and swimming). These two kinds are included in the beach Summer Asian Games to be held in Thailand's Phuket. Perhaps, we shall expose the team from Kazakhstan there too.
But still, I would say this year more than "passing". After all, the most important sporting event of four years is, of course, the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Naturally the main focus is preparation for it. You can not perform on maximum all four years; otherwise the athlete can simply become exhausted.
- Last year, Kazakhstan`s pentathletes showed very good results at the Asian Championship in Astana, taking several prizes. Are you planning to win medals at the Asian Games this year?
- Yes, at last year's Asian Championships in Astana, we were very good: we won two "golds" (men individual and team). This year, too, we plan to take prizes. Hopefully, at least to win one "gold". Of course, it will be hard to deal with Koreans because modern pentathlon in Korea is high-developed, as well a greater threat is expecting from China. In China, tens of thousands of people go for the modern pentathlon; in Korea pentathlon develops in 14 cities. We started development in regions only last year, and the main center of development of Kazakhstan's pentathlon, of course, is the city of Almaty. Compared with these countries, in fact, Kazakhstan has only a revival of this sport. Earlier in the Soviet time, the modern pentathlon school was very strong, then there was a collapse, and only occasional individuals appeared. Now with the coming of the President Berik Imashev, over the past three years we can see the planned growth.
- How can you assess the competitiveness of Kazakhstani athletes?
- Of course, now we have the athletes, who we put high hopes on. If earlier the competitiveness was not even in Kazakhstan, the international competitions were attended by the same athletes, now the competition has been strengthened. The country has a system of qualification for the championships, rating the athletes. The team members of RK are determined on national championships, and then they perform at international competitions, the results of which indicate the members of the world championships and the Olympic Games.
- Tell us about the conditions, which athletes involved in?
- Yes, it's a very important question, because in order to show good results, it is necessary to create conditions for development. First of all, I must say on the support of "Samruk -Kazyna". Thanks to this funding, we have renovated gyms, Center for Modern Pentathlon and water sports on Kapchagai reservoir where athletes can train in all five events. Also the regions received assistance; the platforms for the combine (running and shooting) are under construction. And, of course, we purchase new sports equipment; try to keep up with the times. If we go to the international level, the equipment should be appropriate. For juniors, we are planning to hold a training camp in Germany, for adults- in Poland before the World Cup, in Korea - before the Asian Games.
Source: http://sk-sport.kz/ru/interview/1350
Photo: vesti.kz