Vladimír Lendvay: Bronze from the World Championship is the result of work, discipline and patience
Author: Mgr. Ing. Marek Herda
1. Vlado, Michal Kuzma won a historic bronze medal at the IMMAF World Championships. What does this success mean to you personally, and what were your first emotions after the semi-final?
This achievement is a big moment not only for Michal but for our whole team. A world championship bronze medal is the result of long-term work, discipline and determination. After the semi-final, mixed emotions dominated. On one hand it hurt a little that we did not reach the final, but on the other hand pride in what Michal achieved prevailed. It is a significant result and confirmation that our work has meaning.
2. Let’s go back to the very beginning. How do you remember Michal’s first trainings? What caught your attention, and when did you first realise that he could have world-class potential?
From the start Michal came across as a young man who wants to work on himself and keep moving forward. He caught my attention with his approach to training, his discipline and his willingness to learn new things. I gradually saw his potential, especially in how he progressed, how he took feedback and how he worked even in more demanding situations. I think these qualities are an important prerequisite for achieving results at a high level.
3. How long have you been working together, and what did you have to go through so that Michal could get among the best fighters in the world?
We have been working together for five years, and in that time we have gone through many trainings, preparations and competitions. The road to world level demands a lot of sacrifice, discipline and regular work. Behind every success are hours spent in the gym, physical and technical preparation, sparring and, of course, difficult moments that have to be overcome. It was important to gradually gather experience, work on weaknesses and keep moving forward.
4. Michal fought at this championship in a higher weight category than his natural one. How did you approach this decision, and what advantages and disadvantages did it bring him?
The advantage was that Michal did not have to go through a demanding weight cut, so he could focus more on his performance and recovery. On the other hand, he met opponents who had a natural advantage. It was another valuable experience for him, which showed that he can assert himself even in more demanding conditions.
5. During the world championship you showed several fantastic performances. Which fight was the most demanding in your view, and in which one did Michal surprise you the most?
In my view the most demanding was the fight against the Angolan national team representative, which Michal lost on points just before the final. It was a tough fight in which details decided. What surprised me most was the KO Michal won against the South African national team representative.
6. The semi-final against the Angolan national team representative was extremely hard, technical and dramatic. How did you see this fight from your position as coach? What decided it, and what in your view was missing for Michal to reach the final?
From my point of view it was a very high-quality fight, in which Michal delivered an excellent performance. The decisive moment was one knockdown, which ultimately affected the result of the fight. I think that without it we would have won this fight and Michal would have reached the final. In fights like this, however, small details decide, and this time those details went against us.
7. After the fight you said that you were incredibly close to the final. Looking back now, does disappointment at the close defeat or joy at the historic medal prevail in you?
Joy definitely prevails. Of course, the semi-final defeat hurt us a little, because the final was within reach, but when I look back, the most important thing is the result we achieved. The bronze medal from the world championship is a great success and a historic moment. I am glad that Michal managed to reach this result, and I believe it will be motivation for further work and new challenges.
8. Michal showed enormous tenacity and mental resilience during the whole tournament. What do you consider his greatest strength, and where can he still improve?
I certainly consider his head and his overall mental approach to be his greatest strength. Michal can stay focused, handle pressure and not give up even in difficult situations, and that is very important in MMA.
9. How do you rate the cooperation with national team coach Richard Konc and the whole Slovak coaching staff during the championship in Tbilisi?
I rate the cooperation very positively. Throughout the championship we had very good communication and cooperation. I also rate the whole Slovak coaching staff positively. We made a good team, shared many nice moments and took many great experiences from Tbilisi.
10. How do you see the level of world amateur MMA? In what areas can Slovak fighters already match the world elite, and where do we still have reserves?
In my view the level of world amateur MMA is incredibly high, as could be seen at this championship as well. Slovak fighters can already match the world elite technically, tactically and mentally. However, we still have certain reserves, especially in the possibilities for quality training camps, training conditions and the overall support for fighters.
11. Michal still has a sporting career ahead of him. Do you see his future still in amateur MMA, or is it time to think about the professional scene? And what potential do you see for him in the 65.8 kg category?
Michal is already heading towards a move into professional MMA. His amateur career has given him a lot of experience and the chance to compare himself with the best fighters in the world. In the 65.8 kg category I see high potential in him. He certainly has good prerequisites to assert himself among professionals too.
12. You are the head coach of Laugaricio Combat Gym Trenčín. What does this historic success mean for your club, for the other fighters and for the young athletes who grow up with you?
For our club it means a great deal, and it is a huge motivation for further work. It is confirmation that the work we have been doing for a long time makes sense and that we are heading in the right direction. I believe Michal’s success will be a motivation for the other fighters and young athletes in the club too. It shows them that with discipline, patience and honest work they can reach world level.
13. What are your further ambitions as a coach? Is Michal’s bronze the beginning of something bigger, and do you have other fighters in the club who could follow his path?
I want to keep training fighters who are willing to work on themselves, are determined and have clear goals. I see Michal’s success as the beginning of something bigger and at the same time as a motivation for the whole club. We still have many dreams and goals that we would like to gradually fulfil. I believe we have other fighters in the club with the potential to achieve nice results.
14. Behind every athlete’s success stand many people. Who would you like to thank for supporting Michal and your club on the way to this medal?
First of all I would like to thank all our sponsors, who support us and help us create the conditions for running and preparing. A big thank you also goes to everyone from our gym, whether training partners and sparring partners, or people who support us and stand by us. Each of them has their share in this success. Without such support the road to similar results would be much harder.
15. And finally, if you could tell Michal one sentence today as his coach, who accompanied him on the road to this historic world medal, what would you say to him?
I would tell him to stay the way he is, to believe in himself, to keep working hard and never lose his attitude and desire to keep moving forward. This is only one of the many successes he still has ahead of him. I am proud of him, and I believe we still have many shared victories ahead of us.
Thank you for the interview and congratulations on the historic success of Slovak MMA!
