2-time worlds winner Loginova says coaching “not easy”

Russia sent a full, 12-athlete squad to Mexico City – but one name was conspicuously missing from the compound women’s roster, the mightily-experienced Albina Loginova.

She hadn’t missed a worlds since 2006 and won individual gold at both Ulsan 2009 and Turin 2011.

But when the Russian team arrived in Mexico, 34-year-old Albina was with them. She wasn’t shooting – but, after finishing fourth at the national trials, had been asked to travel as a coach.

“It's a mixed feeling because of course I wanted to shoot,” said Loginova. “I lost the last selection shoot by a few points. Now I’m a coach – and I want to help the team take medals.”

Mexico was Albina’s first trip as part of team management.

“I just wanted to remind [the archers] what they can do, that all of them can shoot really well, that all of them know how to shoot a 10,” she said, adding that she found the job more difficult than she might have thought.

“When something is not going how it’s meant to be, I really want to go to the line and do it for them!”

Albina coached beginners during her studies but stopped when she joined the national team. She sees herself returning to it in the future, but only when she’s finished as an athlete.

“I’m not too old and if my shooting is at a good level, I'll continue shooting. I really like archery,” she said.

“I like to be in these competitions, there's always nice people around, and it’s a really great feeling.”

“I’m a professional archer, it’s my job so, of course, it’s the biggest part of my life.”

The 2017 Hyundai World Archery Championships ran 15-22 October in Mexico City, Mexico.