Safina Sadullayeva prepares for her return to competition with TravelSport
The two-time Olympic finalist and Asian Games high jump champion reflects on a training camp after childbirth, recovery support and preparing for her first competition back.
After a year away from competition and following childbirth, Uzbekistan high jumper Safina Sadullayeva travelled to a TravelSport training camp with her two children. In her interview, the two-time Olympic finalist and Asian Games champion explains how accommodation, practical support for her family and recovery services helped her prepare calmly for her first competition back.
A proven champion beginning a new return
Sadullayeva has reached two Olympic high jump finals, finishing sixth at Tokyo 2020 and seventh at Paris 2024. She won the Asian Games title in Hangzhou and holds a personal best of 1.97 metres.
The camp marked the beginning of a different competitive chapter. After childbirth and a year-long break, she was preparing for the Uzbekistan Championships, which she described as her first competition back.
A training camp with two children
Safina travelled to the camp with both of her children. She explains that she was initially concerned about how they, especially the younger child, would feel during the stay.
According to the athlete, the welcome, accommodation and practical arrangements provided the comfort her family needed. That allowed the camp to proceed calmly and, in her words, even better than she had expected.
Recovery built into the preparation plan
Safina highlighted access to a TravelSport massage therapist and TECAR equipment as an important part of her experience. Massage and rehabilitation sessions were organised alongside her preparation programme.
Recovery support is always individual and should reflect the athlete’s condition and professional guidance. In Safina’s case, having these services available within the camp helped her combine preparation and recovery in one routine.
- Massage support during the camp
- Access to TECAR equipment
- Rehabilitation sessions coordinated with preparation
- A daily schedule adapted around the athlete and her family
Practical questions resolved without delay
The athlete also noted the speed of TravelSport’s operational support. Questions connected with preparation were handled as they arose, without disrupting the main training plan.
For an athlete returning with two children, quick coordination of accommodation, recovery and daily logistics helped keep attention on training rather than organisational details.
Preparing for the first competition back
At the time of the interview, Safina’s next target was the Uzbekistan Championships. It would be her first competitive start after childbirth and an important step in rebuilding competition rhythm.
“Everything needed for recovery and preparation was arranged very quickly thanks to TravelSport,” she said, summarising a camp designed around both performance and the realities of returning to elite sport with a family.