After the Draw, We Will Be Able to Plan Our Performances in More Detail – Azamat Khassenov

Kazakhstan’s show jumping riders are completing their final training sessions ahead of the draw at the Asian Games. The national team is returning to the show jumping competition after a 20-year absence, having last competed in this discipline at the Asian Games in 2006.

We spoke briefly with Azamat Khassenov, senior coach of the Kazakhstan national team and Master of Sport, about the team’s preparations ahead of the competition.

– How is the national team’s preparation going in Tokyo? What stage is the team at now?

– At the moment, the entire team is focused on preparation. The athletes are training according to plan, and we are gradually approaching the start of the competition. After a 20-year absence, Kazakhstan is once again represented at this level, so this is a truly important event for us. We want to represent our country with dignity and achieve a good result.

– How has the team adapted to the conditions in Tokyo?

– Overall, the adaptation is going well. We are taking the local conditions into account and closely monitoring the condition of both the athletes and, of course, the horses. The main thing now is to calmly complete the final stage of preparation and focus on the competition.

– The draw is coming up. How important is it for the team?

– The draw is certainly important, as the order of competition and the opponents can influence our tactics to some extent. After the draw, we will be able to plan our performances in more detail. But in any case, the main objective is to demonstrate our level of preparation and compete for the best possible result.

– How would you assess the riders’ mindset ahead of the competition?

– The team is in a good frame of mind. Everyone understands the responsibility and knows why we are here. At this stage, we are trying to avoid unnecessary pressure and remain fully focused on preparation and competition.

Our main task is to show everything the team is capable of. Each rider needs to make the most of their preparation and perform at their best. Of course, we will compete for a strong result and do our best to make our supporters proud.

– Thank you for your time. We wish the team every success!