Melina Andersson is a no-nonsense paddler. She talks to her coach, gets in the boat, and goes for it.
That approach has often landed her on the podium. And for that reason, The World Games Chengdu 2025 will be a bit different.
Without a coach accompanying the Swede in China, Andersson says it will be a bit unusual, especially as she considers the multi-sport event a priority this year.
“I think The World Games is really cool. I'm very excited to race. It's just unusual for me because I'm here without a coach. I'm going to be all by myself, but I think I can get some help from someone else,” she said.
Last year, the 26-year-old took to Instagram to convey her gratitude to David Rytter Larsen, who has been coaching her since 2021.
Their successful journey together hit pause after the Olympic Games Paris 2024, when Larsen stepped away from the national team, a change that left a mark on Andersson.
The special bond between an athlete and coach – often invisible to the public – is a cornerstone of elite success.
From the iconic mother-daughter duo Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi and Jessica Fox, to the late Jesus Morlan and Brazilian sprint star Isaquias Guimares Queiroz, these partnerships run deep.
For Andersson, the return of Larsen, though not in person in Chengdu, is a game-changer.
“David is my coach again. He was helping me a lot and knows me well. The new national team coaches are great and have been super helpful, but David knows me better,” she said.
“I reached out to him and asked if maybe he could help me as a personal coach, but he doesn't live in Sweden.
“He lives in Denmark, but still helped me with the programme, and I sent him some videos. I think it has worked out great.”
If 2024 was a superb season for Andersson, she has started 2025 in the same fashion.
At the International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint World Cup in Szeged, she cruised to take gold in the women’s kayak single 5000m.
She also had success at the European Canoe Sprint Championships in June, but despite the results, Andersson felt she was not at her best.
“I had a rough start to the season because I was sick. I missed the European Canoe Marathon Championships,” she said.
“I think I've had some good results this year, but I felt like my body was not where I wanted it to be. I haven't felt as strong as I would have liked.
“I think the World Cup in Szeged was my best competition so far. But I feel more like myself now.”
What made 2024 memorable for Canoe Marathon fans was the intense duels between Andersson and Hungarian Vanda Kiszli.
Andersson stunned serial winner Kiszli to a double gold at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Metkovic before repeating the feat at the ICF Hangzhou Super Cup in China.
But the admiration and camaraderie that the duo share off the water is what makes Canoe Marathon special.
A week ago, Kiszli spoke about how she learns from Andersson, and the latter has reciprocated equally, if not sweeter.
That is why their battle in Chengdu will be more than a race. It is two top-class athletes, who have the utmost respect for each other, giving it all to make their country proud.
“Vanda is a strong competitor, and we're also really good friends. So I think just let the best one win.
“We're just going to go out there and give it our best, and then, yeah, we're still going to be friends.
“I have friends in sprint as well, but I think with Vanda it's special. I think we race very fairly, and I look up to her as well.
“She was the first one that I noticed when I started competing in Canoe Marathon, and I was like, ‘Okay, I want to be like her’.”
Related links
- Kiszli shies away from pressure as Chengdu awaits
- Top Canoe Marathon stars at The World Games Chengdu 2025
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