In Kazakhstan, were Olympic champions and world champions, but there was never anyone, who won the Olympic Games and the World Boxing Championship, but Serik Sapiev did it. Today a correspondent of the "Demeu" magazine talks with the famous Kazakh Olympian.
1. Tell us about your boxing career.
"I started boxing at 11 years old and have been doing for 17 years. I have a brother, a year older than me; he and I went to basketball, chess and checkers. We always knew that one day we will go to a box, because my dad always said: "Well, guys, we will go to the box soon?” At one moment we decided to go to the box, never thought that I would become an Olympic champion or world champion, just for the overall development we went to the box. My dad’s younger brother is a master of sport of international class in box; the second younger brother is a Master of Sport of the USSR in freestyle wrestling, the father’s family was athletic. Maybe deep inside dad wanted us to be boxers, or just to engage in boxing. First I went to the box in Abay town and began training under the guidance of Alexander Strelnikov and Viktor Suprun coaches. It all happened gradually; I was training and did not think I would win something. In the 9th grade I went to a sport boarding school named after Alia Moldagulova in Karaganda, and began training under the guidance of Sain Artaev. After three years at boarding school, I returned to my Abai hometown, where I continued my trainings with Alexander Vladimirovich Strelnikov. At 17 years old, I have done a standard of a master of sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, became the champion among juniors. Since then, I started boxing seriously. I realized that I could achieve something in the box; I felt the taste of victory, the joy of victory".
Since 2005, Serik Sapiev began performing for the national team of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He achieved success at the World Cup in China in 2005, taking 1st place and the 3rd place at team World Cup in Moscow. At the 2006 at the Asian Games – is the 3rd place. In 2007 he won the Asian Championship and the World Cup, becoming a two-time world champion. This result did not achieve any of the Kazakh boxers.
"In 2008, unfortunately, I lost in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games and did not take a prize place, but in 2009 became the third in the world championship and won the Asian championship. In 2010 I won the Asian Games, in 2011 took a second place at the World Championship. In 2012 I won the Olympics in London, while receiving the Val Barker Cup as the most skilful boxer of the Olympics", - continued our Olympic champion Serik Sapiev.
2. Were you a fighter in your childhood?
My brother and I had sport makings, but my mother said that I was more active than my older brother, Sergei. I do not know why, I think so. And I was not a fighter.
3. Who do you consider to be your teacher?
First of all, it is, of course, my parents. But since I was 17 years old, Alexander Strelnikov became my trainer, he is like a second father for me. When in 2005 he and I got into the team, we've been together for 9 months in a year. Alexander Vladimirovich was not only my trainer but my mentor and my teacher in life.
4. How your family reacts to a fame that has befallen on you since the winning the Olympics in London?
Usually, do not react at all. My victory puts some responsibility on my relatives. Previously, they could just go somewhere, now it is necessary to adhere to certain limits. Because people look at them not like at the ordinary people, but as a mother and father of Olympic champion.
5. It will be interesting to our readers: What is your favorite book, favorite music and film?
One time I liked the "Gladiator", "The Green Mile", "Brave heart" and "Troy". I love to watch adventure films, but I can watch melodramas also.
As a child, I loved the Jules Verne books, like "Captain at Fifteen" and "The Mysterious Island". I still remember how passionately I read these books in adolescence, I really like this writer. I like books about the Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. I read a lot of books, but my favorite are these.
I listen to different types of music, relaxed and pop music. I like to listen to rock music, but not hard rock, but something quieter and more rhythmic. This kind of music I am always listening with a pleasure. But I do not like rap and chanson.
6. What prompted you to support the charity race, which was held by the British-Kazakh Society in favor of the “AYALA” foundation’s "Breathe, baby" project?
I always support social projects, so I agreed to participate in this event.
7. Please tell us about your plans for the future and whether your future will be related to the charity?
First of all, I see my future in the sport. Currently I am working in Kazakhstan Boxing Federation.
If there is a possibility, I will participate in charitable activities. But now I do not know how everything will go. Time will tell.
Thank you Serik, we will keep an eye on your career. We are sure that you will succeed, because the talented person will show himself in any area.
