BALTA Ksenija

General
INJURY BREAK
Following her knee surgery in early 2012 she was able to continue competing in sprint events from 2013 onwards, but did not compete in the long jump again until 2015. "I rehabbed the knee for many hours each day, however after a year it was decided I would require surgery [in 2012], which was a real low point for me. It was a risky procedure and I was told the recovery process would be long and require a lot of patience, which in my case was true as I took my first running steps in September that year. My first proper jumps sessions took place around three years after the injury was first diagnosed and I recall being incredibly nervous to complete three to five jumps, more nervous than for any competition. I restarted some sprint racing in 2013 but it was not until 2015 I returned to long jump competition. I recall having this incredible willpower in that competition. I competed like a crazy person. The emotions were very powerful." (worldathletics.org, 09 Jan 2018)

HUSBAND AS COACH
She says that being coached by her husband Andrei Nazarov does not affect their relationship away from athletics. "I have always made it clear to myself that when we train, he is a coach. And if he yells at me, it's not a problem for me. During training, it's normal for the coach to force the athlete to do certain things that are beyond them." (elu.ohtulet.ee, 15 Aug 2019)