Participant of the regional contest "Young Person of the Year – 2025" in the nomination "Youth Worker of the Year" Rinat Askerov
My name is Rinat Askerov, and I was born in 2001 in the city of Marinka. It was an ordinary small town, but for me, it was an entire universe. It was here that I first experienced what struggle, support, and strength of spirit are. And it was here that my story began, which I proudly tell today.
I have been involved in sports since childhood. In 2008, when I was only seven, I first joined the boxing section at the Marinka Youth Sports School. The training became more than just an activity for me—it was a school of life. In 2014, I changed direction, switching to kickboxing at the Kurakhove Youth Sports School. From that moment, my true path to my dream began.
I never had everything at once. Everything I have achieved is the result of daily hard work, falls, and climbs. My dream was not just to become a champion, but also to become a coach who would help others believe in themselves.
In 2018, I enrolled in the Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture. There, I gained not only knowledge but also an understanding that sports are not about physics; they are about willpower and the ability to become better than you were yesterday. I earned a master's degree in "Physical Culture and Sports" and I already knew then that I would return to the community.
In 2019, I started my coaching career at the communal institution "Sport for All," and since 2020, I have been a coach at the Marinka Youth Sports School. Among my students are prizewinners of regional and national WAKO kickboxing competitions. They are my pride.
I am constantly moving forward. A two-time World Cup champion, a multiple-time Ukrainian champion, and a silver medalist at the European Championship—these are not just titles. They are confirmation that if you have a goal, no circumstances can break you.
When the war started and Marinka was subsequently occupied, pain gripped my heart. But I didn't give up. I stayed with the children, with the youth. I continued training online, held open lessons, initiated sports and patriotic events, took part in volunteer actions, and helped organize cultural and educational events.
I see how sports change children. How a fire appears in their eyes. How strength replaces fear. And that is what I work for. So that our children have faith in themselves. So that our community—even when temporarily separated—preserves its dignity, character, and spirit.
My path is the path of an ordinary guy from a frontline city. But I am sure: every victory begins with self-belief. And today, I am here not only as a coach and athlete but as a person who wants to inspire others not to give up, not to stop, and not to forget who we are.