Mandel Kata: Road to the Olympics for Romania

There are times when athletics transcends speed, trophies, and rankings to become about representation, courage, and belief. Her team mate is Henrietta Bartalis both being coached by Kinda Geza. He is a true pioneer for this sports discipline in Romania.

Snowboard cross, like every sport, can be unpredictable. It’s more than a simple technique; it’s about instinct, making split-second decisions, and remaining calm in the face of everything around you. And this is where Kata shines.

In this post we share her own words. Honest responses to the questions we sent to her – about preparation, pressure, motivation, and what it truly means to stand at the start gate wearing Romania’s colors at the Olympic Winter Games.

Interview with Mandel Kata representing Romania at Milano Cortina 2026 at snowboard cross

What does it mean to you to represent Romania in Milan in snowboard cross and how did you prepare mentally and physically for this competition?

“For me, representing Romania in Milan in snowboard cross, for the first time, is about happiness and motivation. I prepared myself physically with intense training for a good physical condition, and mentally I did concentration exercises to stay calm and balanced,” explains Kata.

A mental test that helped her forward

What was the biggest obstacle in your snowboarding career and how did that experience help you grow as an athlete?

“The most difficult moment for me was 2024. It was full of injuries and surgeries, which affected me both physically and mentally. The hardest part was when, reaching the Youth Olympic Games in Korea, I broke my wrist during training and had to watch from the sidelines the competition I had worked for years. This was not only a failure, but also a great mental test. However, this experience taught me what it means to trust myself again, to accept difficulties and to move forward even when everything seems impossible.”

The event you represent Romania in is an unpredictable and intense one. What is your strategy for dealing with the pressure and staying focused during the race?

“Yes, it is an unpredictable and intense event. It is not only about speed, but also about technique, quick reaction and the ability to make decisions on the spot. Participating in the Olympic Games is the biggest event in an athlete’s life and involves a lot of pressure. I try to stay calm and focused. I try to look at the race like any other competition, focusing on the course, my usual routine and the decisions and movements that I have practiced.”

Her path to the Olympic stage has not been smooth or loud. It was built on discipline, endless hours on the snow, setbacks transformed into lessons. But also the determination to keep moving forward. Representing Romania is more than simply a personal accomplishment. It’s a message about Romanian winter sports’ growth, evolution, and daring to seek higher.