Zuiev, who was a national high jumper himself, started working with Ukrainian Protsenko since he was 13.

The 34-year-old Protsenkowon bronze medals at the Oregon 2022 World Championships and the Munich 2022 European Championships.

"This award is a big surprise for me, but I’m really satisfied and I’m glad that the work of Andriy and I was highly regarded by World Athletics," said Zuiev.

"We tried to keep fit, as we realised that the only thing we could do was to continue our routine job, aiming to prepare for international competitions as best as possible.

"Certainly, it was crazy difficult.

"It is difficult to even think about training and competition when there is a war in your own country.

"These thoughts haunted us constantly.

"The world bronze medal is as good as gold for me and Andriy, especially taking into account what he had to overcome on the road to get it."

The duo lives in the Kherson region of Ukraine and prepared for the World Championships with home-made equipment.

Apart from coaching, Zuiev also conducted seminars for coaches in Ukraine.