Legendary athlete Aleksandr Karelin became an Honorary Professor of Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno
On the 21st of October the Rector of our University Iryna Kiturka awarded an honorary certificate of conferring the title to Aleksandr Karelin during a meeting with students, staff of the Yanka Kupala State University and the sporting community of Grodno.
During the event, the famous wrestler spoke about his professional path, self-improvement and reflected the fighting spirit and the desire to win. The meeting was held in the format of an open dialogue. Everyone could ask the guest a question and get an exhaustive answer to it.
«I am sure that October 21 will be one of the brightest and most memorable days of 2021 for many of us. It was on this day that we had the opportunity not only to see with our own eyes the person who in 2021 was recognized as the youngest ever winner of the Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling, but also to fathom a wisdom that is not drawn from books, but is born on the basis of personal experience. The experience of a legendary man, the idol of many generations of athletes and sports enthusiasts. Today we are present at a meeting with a Hero of the Russian Federation, three-time winner of the Olympic Games, nine-time world champion, twelve-time European champion, thirteen-time champion of the USSR and Russia, holder of the title of the greatest Greco-Roman wrestler of the twentieth century, Doctor of Pedagogics, professor and an amazing person – Aleksandr Karelin» noted Iryna Kiturka, introducing the guest.
The meeting with Kupala students is not accidental: the national team of the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno has won the Republican Universiade more than once. In addition, Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno has a glorious sports tradition in Greco-Roman wrestling.
«I was lucky enough to be together with Aleksandr at various Greco-Roman wrestling championships. I always noticed the qualities that made him stand out noticeably among other athletes: curiosity, responsibility and discipline» said Viacheslav Maksimovich, Professor of the Department of Physical Education and Sports, Honored Coach of the USSR in Greco-Roman wrestling, who, in fact, initiated this meeting.
According to Aleksandr Karelin, this format of meetings with young people has always been a priority to him. The three-time Olympic champion not only spoke about his path to sports, the role of coach Viktor Kuznetsov, but also answered all questions concerning high performance sport and personal experience.
His quotes "The struggle does not take away strength – it gives strength", "Find time, not excuses", "It is not the one who missed the move who loses, but the one who is ready to lose", "Life should be treated greedily" will be remembered for a long time.
The Olympic champion wished the students to never give up and always achieve their goals despite obstacles.
At the end of the meeting, the Rector of the University, Iryna Kiturka, announced the unanimous decision of the University Council and presented a certificate awarding Aleksandr Karelin the title of Honorary Professor of Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno.
