Born into a handball family where hard work and dedication was the only currency, Anna Vyakhireva achieved so much success in her early career. But after the highs, came the lows, and the need to take a complete break from the sport that was her life. She returned to the court a new person, and this new Anna went on to achieve the biggest honour in club handball, something the old Anna never achieved.

With ups and downs aplenty, this is Anna’s story, in her own words.