Idman.biz
This year, the main start for Azerbaijani representative, hammer throw athlete Anna Skidan, will be the European Championship in Birmingham. This competition will symbolize the athlete's full return to big sports after maternity leave.
In a statement to Idman.Biz, A.Skidan said that the weather conditions in Ukraine, where she lives and trains, also affected her late return to training.
"This year we had a very cold winter. Therefore, I went to the throwing sector at the end of February, I have been preparing for two weeks already. I am currently training with my husband and daughter - they are the best support group for me, and this is a completely new experience for me. My daughter is growing up quickly and it is very interesting to watch her successes. I hope that the coaching issue will also be resolved in the near future," said Skidan.
The hammer throw athlete emphasized that the main start of the season will be the European Championship in Birmingham on August 10-16.
"For me, this is the main competition of the year and there are five months left until its start. I am currently working on physical training and recovery. I have already started increasing the weights on the barbell and this makes me especially happy. Because after such a long break, I am very happy that the muscle memory remembers the 'movement'. I am preparing the body for serious loads," the athlete admitted.
Skidan also spoke about her upcoming tournament plans in preparation for the continental championship.
"I plan to start competing in June. So far, the Ukrainian Cup is in the plans – an international commercial tournament. But we will look at the current form and progress. The main thing is that I feel good, spring pleases both with warmth and with the opportunity to go outside and work comfortably," the athlete said.
Skidan also spoke about the specific features of hammer throw training.
"Our sport is a complex coordination sport, that is, it consists of technical and strength components. A lot of technical work is done outdoors at any time of the year and in any weather conditions. This includes long rotations, work with short and heavy hammers, adapted tools in the form of a disc with handles on a cable, as well as strength exercises with a barbell to increase strength - for example, squats and deadlifts," she emphasized.
It should be noted that the athlete is the author of the Azerbaijani record. Three years ago, at the World Championships in Budapest, she renewed the national record by throwing the implement to a distance of 77.10 meters.
