Aleksandr Menkov at the 2013 IAAF Diamond League in London (© Victah Sailer)
Next up to take our work, rest and play questions is world long jump champion Aleksandr Menkov.
The Russian will get his IAAF Diamond League campaign underway at the next meeting in the series in Lausanne on 3 July.
ALEKSANDR AT WORK
What is your favourite training session?
AM: I don't know, what is an unloved training session? I know I have to work hard to achieve results.
Who is your favourite training partner?
AM: At the moment I have no partner. Previously, it was my brother, Vladimir (a 2.18m high jumper and 7.74m long jumper). We often trained together.
Where is your favourite training venue?
AM: I like to train in Sochi, but the best place is Krasnoyarsk. I like to be at home near family.
What is the worst thing about being an athlete?
AM: Having to leave my family for a long time.
ALEKSANDR AT REST
What is your favourite music to chill to?
AM: I love Russian folk songs.
Describe your perfect day without training.
AM: I would be pleased to play a game of billiards.
What is your favourite stress reliever?
AM: I try not to think about the thing that is stressing me. If I forget that there is some sort of problem, it helps me.
If you could pick one other athlete in the world with whom to relax, who would it be?
AM: I can't say with whom and where. I would like to be with my family on a warm island.
Where is your favourite place to relax?
AM: My home town of Minusinsk.
What TV shows do you like to relax to?
AM: I love to just watch something easy that does not induce deep thoughts.
ALEKSANDR AT PLAY
When and why did your passion for Russian Billiards start?
AM: It was during a training camp at Sochi when I was introduced to the sport. I immediately liked it and started to play more.
For those who don’t know, what is Russian billiards?
AM: It's the same as an American pool, just that the pockets are narrower and the balls are larger.
Do you have a Russian billiards table at home and how often do you play?
AM: No, to have a table at home would be a dream. I don't play often, usually only during a training camp.
What is the best aspect to your Russian billiards game?
AM: I've never seen myself, so I don't even know.
Which track and field athlete, other than you, would make the best Russian billiards player?
AM: I play with Aleksandr Petrov, he is long jumper too (he has a PB of 8.20m and represented Russia at the 2012 Olympics). I often play with him and we are quite evenly matched.
Steve Landells for the IAAF
