Three nations as an athlete and now two as a coach – the competitive fire still burns in Natalia Valeeva.
Her 27-year career as an elite recurve archer began under the flag of the former Soviet Union, continued with Moldova, and flourished with Italy. Between 1989 and 2016, Valeeva won 46 international medals, including two Olympic and six World Championship podiums – a résumé that cements her as one of the sport’s modern greats.
Now, almost a decade into her retirement, she’s back on the front lines – this time as coach of Germany’s recurve women’s team.
Valeeva had previously spent seven years coaching for Italy after an inflammatory shoulder injury ended her competitive career in 2016. Her move to Germany’s programme came ahead of Shanghai 2025 – the second stage of this year’s Hyundai Archery World Cup – but had been years in the making, she revealed.
“With Oliver Haidn [head coach], we’ve been friends since we were athletes, we respect each other,” said Valeeva. “He invited me several times after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. I accepted once my family situation was settled and my three children became adults.”
“I was attracted by the discipline and joy the athletes have in working together – and the warm environment, like a big family. Different characters, but the same desire to improve.”
It’s a familiar dynamic for the Barcelona 1992 Olympic bronze medallist, who compares managing an elite team to raising a family. The key, she says, is to maintain “harmony and serenity” across the group – and to treat every athlete equally, regardless of rank.
