In June, Anastasia Kaloshina surpassed a national record in the hammer throw that had stood for nine years. She is now Kazakhstan’s record holder in this track and field discipline.
The new national record — 63.80 meters — was set by Anastasia Kaloshina on June 5 during a meet in Brest, Belarus. Anastasia is 23 years old and has been training for the past three years with a Belarusian coach. In recent years, she’s consistently won the Kazakhstan Championships and National Cup. And now, this new achievement — a national record.
– Congratulations on setting a new national record! How did you reach this result?
– Thank you so much! Actually, my coach and I had been close to this result for a while. It just hadn’t come out in competition yet, but we knew it was there. Everything slowly came together: technique, form, consistency. And now — it happened. Although I know this isn’t the limit. There’s still room for more!
– Do you remember the moment you realized you’d thrown farther than ever before? What did you feel: relief, joy, shock?
– Yes, I remember that moment clearly. I felt quiet joy. No euphoria. I just thought, “Finally.” It felt like everything fell into place.
– What does this record mean to you? Just numbers, or something bigger in your career and life?
– It’s not just numbers. It’s a milestone. A symbol that hard work doesn’t go to waste, even if the result doesn’t come immediately. For me, it’s proof — to myself and my coach — that we’re on the right path.
– Is there anything special about your training approach that helped you achieve this?
– It all came together gradually. My coach is still learning about me and how my body responds to training loads. We took an individual approach to every stage. We added more mindfulness to the process — not just “more, faster, stronger,” but more precise and clean. And I think I’ve matured mentally, too.
– You train with a Belarusian coach. How did you connect?
– The Belarusian school is known for its structure and deep understanding of the hammer throw. I train with Alexander Sergeyevich Baburkin. You can feel the experience, wisdom, and love for the sport in him. It’s more than just training — it’s a personal journey. As it happened, it was more that he chose me. He noticed me at a meet in Novopolotsk, found me on Instagram — and that’s how we connected.
– What are the challenges of living the athlete lifestyle?
– I love my lifestyle. Maybe for some, sports feel like Groundhog Day — training, routine, restrictions. But for me, it’s pleasure. Of course, there are tough moments: injuries, blisters, fatigue. Sometimes it’s mentally hard, especially being away from family for long stretches. But I always feel my loved ones’ support — even from afar. And I’m lucky to be surrounded by a warm sports community. My Belarusian teammates are always there — no need for many words. They support, joke, and cheer me up. That atmosphere is a huge part of my energy source.
– Have there been moments when you wanted to quit? What keeps you in the sport?
– Yes, there have been moments like that. More than once. But I’m incredibly lucky — amazing people are always around me. Especially during the hardest times, they support and believe in me, and I rise like a phoenix (smiles). But most of all, I fell in love with the hammer once — and it looks like it’s forever.
– How do you stay in shape and where do you find motivation?
– Staying in shape is about discipline and routine. Even without motivation, you keep doing the work for future victories. With experience comes a competitive spirit — when you step into the circle, a different mode switches on. After each meet, I gain new insights about myself.
– What’s next? Are you aiming to break your own record?
– This record is just a step. Next — further, higher, more consistent. I don’t just want to compete; I want to be truly competitive at the top level in the world.
– If you could tell something to yourself five years ago, what would it be?
– You’re on the right path. Keep doing what you love.
