For a man who has become used to bagging medals on the international stage, Mykhailo Brudin has found a hobby that could prove to be more than useful in the future.
The Ukrainian was one of the standout athletes from the recent European Athletics U20 Championships in Jerusalem, winning the discus by nearly seven metres with a world U20 lead of 66.58m. It added to the European U18 gold in the same city and world U20 bronze he took a year earlier in Cali, Colombia.
And alongside this penchant for precious metal, he has developed a burgeoning interest in another type of accessory – leather bags.
“In March, I wanted to buy a new belt for my pants,” he explained in the aftermath of his victory in Jerusalem. “But I could not find a very good belt. So, I decided to create my own belt. I bought the leather, the instruments for leather and when I made it, I so liked it.
“So, (then) I wanted to try and make a wallet. It was not good, but not bad. Then I started to do leather bags. Now with my father and my mother, we are starting to create new designs. Trying to do something new, something cool and we are working together on this hobby.
“I want to show them to the world, and I want to create my own brand. But not now, I need to improve my skills. I have a brand, I have a name, but I can’t say.”
His handiwork with a needle and thread might seem quite a contrast to the brute strength required for the throws’ circles. But both activities reveal Brudin’s close attention to detail. A welcome trait for any athlete aiming for the top.
Despite his clear winning margin in Jerusalem, Brudin is a man seeking constant improvement. “It’s a very good experience for me and my coach,” he reflected.
“We have found my mistakes and we are working to fix these mistakes. I have become stronger, faster, bigger. Now I am better than I was a year ago.”
Rome, Lima and maybe Paris in his sights for 2024
Having achieved his main goal for the year he will not compete for the remainder of 2023. Instead, alongside his father Yuriy – also his coach - they will focus on another assault on glory next year from their base in Logrono, Spain.
“I need speed. We will do runs, runs and jumps, jumps,” he stresses “We will do that until October and from then, we will prepare for next year. I need to get stronger to get more power, more speed and to get a few more kg on my body.”
He will turn 19 next January, still young enough for major U20 competitions, but he also has an eye on the step upwards and throwing with the heavier 2kg senior discus.
“I want to do the World U20 Championships in Peru and European Championships in Rome,” he says of his plans next year. “I think it is possible. I think qualifications for that [the European Championships from 7-12 June] will be about 64-65 metres and I’m very close. For the Olympic Games, I don’t know, I am young. If I do it, it will be incredible.”
With a best of 61.33m with the senior implement, he has a little way to go. But time is very much on his side in what is an exciting era for the men’s discus.
World champion Kristjan Ceh from Slovenia and Lithuania’s European champion Mykolas Alekna mopped up last year’s major titles aged 23 and 19 respectively. And 30-year-old Olympic champion Daniel Stahl of Sweden still has plenty left in the tank.
So, Brudin is mindful of the challenge he faces in the senior ranks. But has the appetite to succeed.
“To be near Alekna and Ceh is a big pressure for me,” he says. “These guys are at another level from other throwers because at every competition they throw 69, 70, 68. They are incredibly talented. I want to be near where they are.
“When you know that you are the winner - these first ten seconds, they are priceless. It is an incredible emotion. I want to feel this feeling every time. I will do everything to feel this.”
Slowly but surely, whether it be as an international athlete or leather craftsman, Brudin is determined to thread his way through to the top.
Chris Broadbent for European Athletics