Race walk developing in India with help of Russian coach

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) believes that race walking can produce one of the first medals in athletics for India at the Olympics. For this they have great expectations from the head coach Alexander Artsybashev who hails from the Siberian city of Chelyabinsk. “Alexander has made a huge difference to the team performance. Over the last couple of years, race walking has become quite a buzzword among our athletes,” says Manish Kumar COO of the AFI. Artsybashev himself is equally upbeat. “My first project with the Indian team was to prepare for the 2011 World Championships,” the coach says. “At that time two athletes could qualify. Today, I am confident that there are about 15-20 athletes who have the skill and talent to qualify for the Olympics.”

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Indian race walkers have already made their presence felt at the Asian level. Gurmeet Singh and Khushbir Kaur won bronze medals in the 20km men’s and women’s events respectively at the Asian Race Walking Championship in March this year. “Khushbir Kaur’s bronze was a high point for me. She was leading for the first 14kms. She gave a fright to better seeded competitors,” Artsybashev says that “he cherishes all the milestones” his protégés achieve.

In May, at the World Race Walking Cup, Khushbir Kaur beat her own national record; Sandeep Kumar set a new national record in 50km walk; and two more walkers, Manish Singh Rawat and Surinder Singh, notched up their personal bests. While Russians went on a rampage, sweeping top four honours and the team title in 50km walk, the Indians attained seventh spot in the team event.

These are encouraging figures in the run-up to the Asian Games next month. “It’s definitely a positive trend that we are regularly updating national and personal records. I am particularly hopeful from the season leaders to carry their good form into the Asian Games,” Artsybashev says. 

The next step, and almost always the ultimate target for any athlete, is the next Olympics. Artsybashev also has his task set out for Rio de Janeiro 2016. But like all foreign coaches, his efficacy also depends on being able to clearly communicate with the athletes.  “The athletes come from different states of India and initially they don’t even understand each other,” the coach says. “We all manage to communicate in bad English.”

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A lot of talent comes from rural regions of the country and it is only in the national camps that they begin using English. The coach addresses such communication gaps by utilizing sports psychology. “I believe that there should be a strong emotional connect between the coach and the athletes. As in any form of learning, the trainer and the trainee must’ve absolute belief in each other,” Artsybashev says.  “Sportspersons can be like children, sometimes naïve and at other times cunning. But they are all good at heart and have a strong value system. The Indian tradition of respecting elders is one of their strengths.” Some of the athletes however prefer to train with Indian coaches.

In next month’s Asian Games, the Indian team will face stiff competition from countries like Japan, Korea, and Kazakhstan that dominate these championships. In this they have their coach’s faith. “I appreciate the hard work and sincerity they’ve invested in their trainings. They’ll put up a strong fight. After all every competition is another step towards the Olympic Glory. This is just the beginning.” 

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