Alexander Mordvincev, National Training Centre Assistant Coach of Team Singapore to swimming siblings Quah Ting Wen, Quah Zheng Wen and Quah Jing Wen.
After every medal win or a record-breaking performance, the cameras would focus on the triumphant athletes who react with jubilation, sometimes punching their fists in the air or bursting into tears of joy. But have you ever wondered about the people who train and support them; who are also often seen celebrating in the background?
At the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus’ shock win saw the exuberant celebration of her coach Dean Boxall going viral worldwide. His exhilaration was understandable: coaches and backroom staff play a deeply significant role in athletes’ successes, often working with them for years to develop their potential and sporting skill.
Closer to home, the Quah siblings have made waves in the last decade, hauling in a trove of medals at the SEA Games, Asian Games and Asian Youth Games. Together with their 21-year-old sister Jing Wen, eldest sibling Ting Wen, 28, and brother Zheng Wen, 24, have dominated the butterfly and freestyle events and smashed national records.
Here to Play learns from 34-year-old Alexander Mordvincev — the man currently training Ting Wen, Zheng Wen and Jing Wen at OCBC Aquatic Centre — what it takes to be a gold standard coach.
Coach Alexander Mordvincev was a professional swimmer and water polo player in his younger days.
How did you get involved in swimming?
My father is a water polo and swim coach; he was the one who inspired me to start because we always went swimming together. I was a professional swimmer, first in Ukraine and then in Hungary during my adolescent to adult years. I also played water polo in a Hungarian league.
How would you describe your own experience of being coached?
Eastern European coaches are generally harsh, but I was lucky that when I moved to Hungary, my coach became a mentor figure and a role model to me. I always relied on him –we could be friendly outside the pool and it was easy to have conversations with him about anything. He always had a way to make things fun, even when they were extremely hard. His dedication and warmth as a fatherly figure provided much mentorship to quite a number of Olympic-class athletes and medallists who were my teammates and friends.
How has your mentor influenced your coaching style?
My coaching style is democratic. I believe each adult athlete should always have the opportunity to share their thoughts, vision and goals, and work closely with their coaches to achieve their ultimate goal.
With the Quah siblings, I try to create an environment where they feel comfortable, challenged and safe at the same time. We talk through our main goals, analyse races and decide what and how we can improve, to get the best performance when it matters. However, as a coach, I have the experience to make the right final decision based on feedback and my own observation — there must be a healthy balance between authority and mutual respect to achieve a strong working relationship. That is the foundation of effective coaching and team success.
How did you become the Quahs’ coach?
I’ve known the Quah siblings since 2012, when I had a chance to work with them for about two years when I was volunteering for Gary Tan (currently Singapore’s National Swimming Head Coach) at Swim Fast Aquatic Club. I restarted a working relationship with the siblings from August 2021 after I joined the National Training Centre .
The Quahs are the most talented and hardworking athletes I’ve ever coached. They have a natural feel of the water. They are role models — humble, respectful and extremely motivated – and they know exactly what they want from swimming.
Coach Alexander Mordvincev with Quah Ting Wen at the 31st SEA Games 2021.
How do you motivate yourself and others?
I am motivated by challenge. I believe in a progressive approach, and I work through each area of our training cycle while breaking the goals down into smaller segments. Our athletes’ progress, development and well-being are indicators of success of the strategic training plan, and can help to ascertain if we’re on the right track.
Athletes should always understand objectives and know what the plan is for the season and the approach towards their main goals. They should also have responsibility and accountability for outcomes. Having good communication with my athletes helps me to understand them better, and enables the decisions that I make to reap potentially greater results.
Can you share some highlights from your coaching stint?
It was a high with the Quahs when we broke or met records together at the SEA Games and the Singapore National Swimming Championships. We also surpassed some long-lasting personal best times and won several gold medals at the SEA Games.
What about the lows? How do you deal with them?
There will always be low points in every sporting career and we must inspire our athletes to persevere. To always be in top form is pretty much impossible. However, overcoming a low point is not an overnight fix. It takes a lot of trust and a safe environment for athletes to feel vulnerable. We must tell them that they should not be afraid of failure; that to overcome the lows, we have to remember what our final goal is together. At the same time, we must instil in them the courage to dream big.
Right now, what would you say are some of your biggest influences?
Singapore. It is the place where I would say my life began. It’s a country that allows you to dream big and be somebody, if you work hard. I have a good career and a good life here.
My wife also influences a part of who I am — namely, the person I want to be. I am a better coach with her by my side and she inspires me with her hard work and dedication to everything she does in her life. She pushes boundaries and she always challenges me to do better.
What does it take to be a good coach?
I believe a positive coach-athlete relationship is the main key to success in the athlete’s growth, their overall performance at the pool and in their career beyond swimming. A coach should always be approachable, and athletes should feel that we are here for them when they need us.
5 MORE TIPS TO BEING A GOOD COACH
… According to Alexander Mordvincev.
- Enjoy the process
- Be yourself
- Be genuine
- Trust your instincts
- Don’t always be fixated on results — sometimes small things can be more valuable than big ones
