At the World Fencing Championships in Hong Kong, China, the individual sabre events have concluded. All six representatives of Kazakhstan's national team were eliminated in the early rounds of the main draw, reports infohub.kz.
The team's consultant coach, French Olympic champion Arno Schneider, who began working with the squad two months ago, assessed the performance. He emphasized that the work is just beginning.
"For me, this is only the start of our collaboration. It's important not to forget that. It's like entering a new game. Sometimes it starts off right, sometimes it's not what we expect. Step by step, we will establish the right order. We have good potential, by the way," the specialist noted.
Schneider also commented on the women's performances: "I think the girls were overly emotional. It was the first time I saw them like that. Also, it was my first time seeing them on the second competition day, in the main draw. Now I know, and it all connected in my mind. I have to learn to understand new people. They also have to learn to understand me. But for a first world championship, a first major event together after the Asian Championships, this is a good result."
He added that he was satisfied with the qualification but not entirely: "For example, regarding qualification, I am satisfied but not happy, of course (laughs). In the main draw, fencing against the best sabre players in the world and competing for a spot in the top 16 — that is a good result. I think we were also a bit unlucky with the draw. We weren't that fortunate, but there is room to improve."
The coach spoke individually about each athlete: "Aigerim Sarybay is a leader; she is an Olympian. Anastassiya Gulik is a very smart fencer; I hope she will succeed. Karina Dospay, if she looks up to these two girls, she will achieve a lot. We need to find a new generation of young sabre fencers who will push them so they feel competition."
Schneider emphasized that his goal is not a one-time success but long-term development: "My goal is not to work for just one result; my goal is to achieve steady growth and help the Kazakhstan team reach a new level. To nurture a new generation of sabre fencers in Kazakh cities, because I am sure you have many talented fencers. I expect good fencing from them in the team event. I want to see how they understand me, what I explain. You have very good sabre fencers, and my main task is to see what we have achieved now and what we need to work on next."
The World Fencing Championships will run until July 30. Team competitions begin on July 28.