Conquering Europe. World Title to Follow?
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
SPORT The Minsk Times Thursday, March 12, 2009 11 Bright debut in Moscow Conquering Europe. By Yuri Kovalev Melita Stanyuta claims three medals at the fi rst Grand Prix rhythmic gymnastics World title to follow? competition this season — held in Moscow Alexander Ustinov wins European Professional Boxing Association Championship in super-heavy weight category By Yuri Karpenko Belarus now has a third Euro- pean professional boxing champion to join Sergey Gulyakevich and Yuri Romanov. Alexander Ustinov was born in Russia and came to sports quite late — at the age of 25. He was invited to Minsk by a prominent Belarusian kick-boxer, Vladimir Zadiran, aft er their acquaintance in Novosibirsk. Alexander impressed the former world champion with his ‘dimensions’ (height 202cm and Melita Stanyuta on stage weight 130kg). Melita won silver for her exer- Aft er a couple of successful fi ghts, cises with the ball and bronze for Ustinov reached the spotlight, at- her work with the skipping rope tracting the attention of the Klitschko and ribbon, while her exercises with brothers. Th e Ukrainian boxers are the hoop brought her fourth place. not only the acting world champi- Her international ‘adult’ debut has ons but are also the owners of the been quite a success. Melita, 15, has K-2 promotion company, involved in joined the main artistic gymnastic developing the talents of promising team (replacing Inna Zhukova, who boxers. “I am confi dent that Alexan- retired). She fi nished fourth over all, der could become world champion; with only Russian gymnasts ahead he is a strong fi ghter with a powerful of her. 2008 Olympic champion Yev- punch,” comments Vitali Klitschko. genia Kanayeva took gold in all four “He is the future of boxing. Soon, his exercises. Another Russian athlete name will speak for itself.” BELTA — Vera Sesina — took three silver Vitali’s compliments are based on Alexander Ustinov feels confident during his Kiev fight medals. his knowledge of Ustinov’s abilities: a Th e traditional junior interna- year ago, he was his sparring-partner 14th professional match and claimed right to fi ght for the championship fi ght for the International Boxing tional tournament for prizes of Ol- during training for the championship. his 14th win (12th with knockout) belt. 32-year-old Ustinov is in victo- Federation (IBF) light-weight title. ympic champion Alina Kabaeva was Klitschko is not the fi rst famous box- over ‘unconquerable’ Maxim Pedy- rious mood, keen to meet titleholder Not so long ago, Romanov and Juan held as part of the Moscow event. er to spar with Ustinov; countryman ura of Ukraine. He is now the EBA Nikolay Valuyev. Guzman of the Dominican Repub- Anna Ryabtseva of Belarus pleased Sergey Lyakhovich helped Ustinov European champion. Soon, he’ll be Meanwhile, another boxer from lic qualifi ed for the match; it is high Belarusian fans by coming second train for his match against Valuyev. ranked among the world’s top 15 Minsk — Yuri Romanov — is pre- time they chose a time and a place to all round. In Kiev, Ustinov undertook his boxers by the WBA, giving him the paring for his World Championship meet. Dynamo’s trial match Anticipated horse By Kirill Pirogov racing course Belarusian club ends debut Belarus keen to set up state-of-the-art horse racing season with Continental Hockey League course and raise thoroughbred racehorses Dynamo’s participation in the By Kirill Karin 2km jumping course, four horse CHL (the ‘second NHL’) was swift stables (able to host 120 horses), a and rather chaotic. Th e team was The Minister for Sports and five star hotel, a field for dressage brought together a mere couple of Tourism of the Republic of Bela- and stands to seat 5,000 in ad- months before its application to join rus, Alexander Grigorov, has met dition to other sports and social the CHL, leaving them little time the delegation of British business facilities. to ‘gel’. Decisions on the fi nal line- circles, headed by the President Lord Harry Herbert notes that up and the appointment of a head of Highclere Thoroughbred Rac- a presentation on the investment coach were solved in a frantic rush. ing Limited, Lord Harry Herbert. project — including a video film Both Canada’s Paul Gardner and The racecourse is to be built at — was impressive to the Brit- the USA’s Jim Hughes were rejected the Republican Centre of Eques- ish businessmen visiting Bela- as candidates and the line-up was a ALEXANDER STADUB trian Sport Preparation and Horse rus for the first time. However, huge problem. Initially, core national First season with CHL gives Dynamo players necessary experience Breeding in Ratomka and will he believes the project needs to ice hockey players were invited, but began to run more smoothly and was fully attended. We also gave cost approximately $165 million. be further developed. Construc- many had already signed contracts they climbed up from last place. our young players a chance to show The idea was first presented in tion of a large-scale race course with other clubs. Foreign players Minsk’s Palace of Sports was again their skills; they are, of course, the November 2008 at the Belarus In- near Minsk will require detailed did not meet expectations and, alas, full of fans. future of Belarus.” vestment Forum, held in London. organisation, ensuring the whole the season started with much to be It was too late for the blue-and- Spiridonov comments on his The project envisages an eques- sports and entertainment com- desired. white team to reach the play-off s future coaching prospects, “My con- trian horse breeding facility, with plex will work in harmony. Gam- Th e team had to be created but their level of performance in tract with Dynamo is in force until a course suitable for international ing services will also need to be anew, with Vasily Spiridonov from the league was extremely high for April 30th; I’m not sure what is to events. All related infrastructure included, since these are a major Russia saving the Belarusian squad. one ‘under reconstruction’. “If we’d come.” According to information will also be secured. Over the past aspect in ensuring a financial re- He invited young talented players avoided our mix-up at the begin- voiced by the Head of the Belarusian three years, about $30 million has turn on such endeavours. “Belarus from the Belarusian champion- ning of the season, we could have Ice Hockey Federation, Vladimir been invested in building an up- shows potential in this sphere and ship and a couple from the national done better,” believes Spiridonov. Naumov, only one person is being to-date veterinary clinic featur- has particular promise regarding team, relying on those with Euro- “I joined the club later and none of considered for the title of Dynamo’s ing medical equipment from the the setting up of an international pean experience, fi tting for the CHL our heads ever mentioned reach- head coach. It seems likely that Glen world famous companies. sports and entertainment com- (such as Finnish forward Güvenen ing the play-off s. Th ey asked only Hanlon — currently coaching the The race course design has plex at Ratomka; British business and Slovakian defenseman Lintner). that we return fans to the stadium, national team of Belarus and head- been approved by Belarusian circles are ready to offer support,” Gradually, the team’s performance which we did! Almost every match ing Jokerit of Finland — is in mind. Government; it will consist of a asserts Lord Herbert. .