Returning after a maternal leave - Kozuch finds sand more accessible again.
Kozuch is set to team up with Sarah Schneider at the "King of the Court" tournament, kicking off on Thursday for Schneider's sand comeback. Interestingly, this takes place in Hamburg - where it all started. As Kozuch dedicates her life in Milan, she shares her enthusiasm, "There are no coincidences." Despite the constant rainfall, she excitedly says, "I'm really looking forward to it. And it didn't shock me much that the weather changes every ten minutes here."
A year ago, Schneider, former indoor national team coach, approached Kozuch with the possibility of a return. "At the time, I said 80% no," Kozuch recounts. Since then, she's been hitting the gym, working on her sand game, and occasionally visiting her ex-team in Busto Arsizio. Her improvements are evident, as she states, "I'm noticing my body getting more and more fit and strong." Although she doesn't plan on rejoining her previous club, she and Schulz are taking the plunge into the (wet) environment of Hamburg.
Just a month ago, Schulz traveled to Italy for three collaborative sessions. They had three more sessions this week. "We're not sure where we stand and we're not physically at the level we could be," confesses Kozuch, "So we don't have high hopes for the results."
With Schulz, whom Kozuch is familiar with from her time at Hamburg's Olympic Training Center, she and her family are braving the chilly (rainy) Hamburg climate. "My husband has helped a lot in the past three weeks," Kozuch acknowledges. "He's reduced his work hours and made arrangements to be here with our son."
"It's wonderful to enjoy time with my kid completely," she adds. "He's so inquisitive, wanting to try all sorts of things. It's nice to witness that."
With her new lifestyle and family situation, Kozuch's approach to sports has evolved. "I'm definitely putting much less pressure on myself," she says of her new relaxed mindset. "The hall always fueled me with pressure, and that was good for me because I would take that energy and feel great about it. On the sand, the pressure wasn't as comfortable, and my nervous system occasionally reacted with an anxiety or paralysis response. Now, there's just happiness, being back on the field, sharing the court with Sarah, and watching everything unfold."
Read also:
- The CDU is pushing for additional medical study positions in Homburg.
- US director Baker wins Palme d'Or at Cannes, while Iranian filmmaker Rasoulof receives Jury Prize.
- German enthusiast creates gigantic Harry Potter figure
- Lautern coach Alonso alters his lineup five times, with Ache left out.
Source:
