Viktoriya Koval: Passing the bow to the next generation of coaches
When Viktoriya Koval steps onto the range, her decades of experience as an Olympic archer shine through, while her focus is now on helping other coaches elevate their craft.
She was one of six experienced coaches selected to take part in the World Archery coach trainer education programme on 24-30 November at the World Archery Excellence Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland.
This course forms part of the broader World Archery coach accelerator programme launched in 2025, powered by Olympic Solidarity and designed to strengthen coaching systems globally.
For Koval, archery has long been more than a sport – it’s a family legacy.
Her mother, Margarita Koval, was a USSR champion and a member of the national team for several years. Viktoriya grew up immersed in the sport, first picking up a bow at age two or three, but only beginning serious training at 12, guided by her mother and coach Alexander Xenofontov, after trying other sports like ice skating, volleyball, and athletics.
“I know about archery from my birthday,” she said. “My mother is like my model in archery, but I’ve always wanted to be better, to go beyond what she achieved. That same drive guides me in coaching.”
The native of Kharkov went on to represent Ukraine at the Olympics in Beijing 2008 – even securing another Olympic quota in 2012 while pregnant with her daughter, Diana.
With 30 years in archery and 16 years as a coach, Viktoriya’s journey has taken her from volunteering at a local club to leading university teams and national squads, including in Egypt.
She emphasised learning by doing: “For beginners, we start with simple tools, even broken arrows. It teaches patience, tuning and respect for equipment. Then we move on.”
Her coaching philosophy also blends technical expertise with a nurturing approach.
“A woman coach brings a different style… it’s like a mother,” she explained. “We guide, we support, we build trust.”
She sees this style as particularly important in regions where female coaches can provide role models for young athletes.
Her next step is to apply the new curriculum learned at the World Archery coach trainer course and share her experience to inspire the next generation.
“I want to spread the love of archery,” she says. “If you’re in this process only for status or money, it will fail. But if you are here to help others, to inspire, to teach, it works.”
Viktoriya’s training is part of the broader World Archery coach accelerator programme 2025, supported by Olympic Solidarity, the International Olympic Committee’s flagship development initiative.
The programme aims to scale up safe, high-quality coaching worldwide, providing immersive learning for experienced coaches while promoting gender balance and international collaboration.
Earlier phases welcomed coaches from all five continents, achieving near gender parity and building a strong global community.
The coach trainer course combined theory with practical sessions to prepare participants to deliver entry- and intermediate-level courses, covering technique, biomechanics, equipment, coaching archers with disabilities, psychology, nutrition and ethics. Candidates were evaluated on their ability to conduct practical sessions and prepare teaching materials, earning a World Archery accreditation upon completion.
This year’s programme ran from 24-30 November, concluding with the World Archery Coaching Conference 2025 on 29-30 November, where participants shared insights and celebrated advances in coaching worldwide.
Through her participation, Koval joined a global network of coaches, bringing her expertise, passion and leadership to help develop archery around the world.
“When coaches love the sport, they inspire their athletes,” she said. “That’s the real legacy.”
A philosophy she will now carry into her work as a coach trainer.
