"Impact, maturity, elevation. Ruslan Tkalenko reflects on the season, the war, and his memorable relay experiences."
In a conversation with a correspondent from Champion, the 31-year-old athlete shared the impact of changing coaches, his impressions of the changes in competition rules, and mentally revisited the third stage of the silver relay at the World Cup stage.
– Ruslan, we hope your preparation for the season is going smoothly and without injuries? Because during the off-season, someone falls off their bike, or something else happens, God forbid.
– Everything is fine. Typically, the off-season for me is a time to be with family and loved ones, to rest psychologically, and, of course, to strengthen my physical condition. This is a time to work on my weaknesses and prepare my body for the upcoming loads to avoid unwanted injuries later on. Therefore, we try to make the off-season as productive and cautious as possible.
– Did you train with the team at the camp in Ramsau and at high altitude in Italy? Did everything go according to plan during this preparation phase?
– Everything was as usual; training proceeded according to the prepared plan, and I am satisfied that we managed to accomplish everything we aimed for. Starting from Ramsau, we conducted more training on skis. The Italian camp has its challenges due to the altitude conditions, as it requires the body to adapt.
– Where was it more challenging?
– It's hard to say because each period has its tasks and aspects we need to work on and develop. In my opinion, the location where we hold the camps has a more significant influence. It’s like a favorite stage of the competition. In some places, you enjoy competing more, and in others, less. The same goes for camps. I always enjoy training in Italy at high altitude.
Ruslan Tkalenko
– Recently, in an interview with our site, the first vice president of FBU Andriy Deryzemlia commented on the changes in the coaching staff, stating that the new coach should "shake up" the team. How does this look from your perspective? What should this "shake" be like? What has already changed?
– I feel the changes. The new coaching team brings a different energy, which helps us to be more motivated and move forward. To develop in any area, changes and learning something new are always necessary. I hope that the changes in the coaching staff and the different approach will give us a boost for progress, and each team member will be able to show their maximum. How do I see it? It’s not just changes in training but changes in mindset, which are already helping us focus on important details. Clearly, six months is a short period to draw any specific conclusions about all the work done. However, I am confident that we will see the results this season!
– Ruslan, you will soon be 32. Until when do you plan to compete? Or do you not plan such things, and will life show you?
– As of today, I feel that my sports journey is far from over. There is still much internal motivation left, and I am convinced that I have not yet realized my potential to 100 percent.
Moreover, today athletes achieve significant results even after 30, as the sporting age has indeed extended. Many athletes' examples show that experience allows one to reach peak performance and the best results at a more mature age. As long as I have the strength, the desire to work, and the goals I strive for, I will continue to compete.
– What will be the marker that maybe it’s time to finish?
– When I feel that I can no longer improve or when I lose that spark that ignites me every time at the start. But right now, I am absolutely determined to move forward and reach new heights.
Ruslan Tkalenko
– What do you think about the changes in the rules regarding the distribution of starting groups? Will this increase the spectacle of biathlon? Will it help biathletes outside the top ranks truly foster competition?
– I view it positively. This will make the competitions more balanced. It can indeed enhance the spectacle as it gives non-top biathletes the chance to realize their potential and compete for high places.
If the leaders are genuinely strong, they will be able to show high results regardless of the starting group, which will only emphasize their skill. It will be more interesting for spectators to see how top athletes overcome additional challenges, while new faces get the chance to showcase themselves. This will make each race less predictable and increase intrigue from start to finish.
– Currently, everyone is in a difficult psychological state due to the war. This affects athletes, even if they travel around the world. It’s impossible to disconnect from this. How does the current situation affect you?
– It’s challenging to fully concentrate solely on sports when the country is at war. This undoubtedly affects the psychological state, as all the news and concerns for loved ones are always present. I try to find a balance, as sports are my profession, which I do better than anything else. I want to fight for high places to glorify Ukraine worldwide and perhaps serve as motivation and support for someone in today’s struggle.
– You are from Sumy region. What is the security situation in your home area?
– I am from the town of Mykolaivka; the situation there is currently complicated, like in many other border regions of Ukraine. I have the opportunity and try to visit my family in Sumy every time. I am grateful to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for their strength and everything they do for the safety of our people.
– At one point, we asked you about the memorable race at the World Championship 2019, the historic pursuit in which Dmytro Pidruchnyi won gold, and you finished in the scoring zone. Do you remember well the relay at the World Cup in Nové Město when your team won silver? Can you recreate your third stage and the race itself from memory?
Dmytro Pidruchnyi, Ruslan Tkalenko, Serhiy Semenov, and Artem Prima
– Yes, I remember that day very well. It was very exciting and responsible. During the third stage, I felt how important it was to maintain the pace set by the guys and to try to carry out my stage as well as possible because we needed to create competitive conditions for the fight for a high result in the 4th and final stage.
At that time, I may not have been in the best shape, but I was confident in myself. I am glad that together with the team, we showed that we can fight for the highest awards, top-3! Every time I recall that race, I feel pride for the team and for myself. It’s probably one of my most unforgettable races. Thanks to the guys – Artem Prima, Serhiy Semenov, and Dmytro Pidruchnyi.