No Childhood, But Medals: Young Champions on the Rise

They don«t have a childhood in the usual sense of the word. Their daily schedule is subject to a strict athletic regimen. While their peers spend hours glued to gadgets, scrolling social media, and playing video games, young athletes spend their time on tatami mats, in boxing rings, on ice arenas, and in gyms. At an age when others are just choosing their life path, these kids are already standing on podiums, holding well-earned cups and awards.

What motivates them to keep moving forward, and what difficulties lie behind their resounding victories? In a new series of the “Generation Che” project, we tell the stories of champions who chose sports from a young age. The “Generation Che” project on the 74.RU portal is implemented with the support of the Chelyabinsk Region Media Support Fund.

Instead of Dolls — Boxing Bags

Behind the outward fragility and femininity of Alisa Kapustik hides strength and willpower capable of knocking out any opponent. The girl has been boxing for five years. A student of the “Almaz” Olympic Reserve Sports School, she recalls that when she first stepped into the ring, she was even a bit taken aback:

— Everything seemed so unusual: the gloves were heavy, movements clumsy, and the atmosphere like something out of a movie.

But this didn«t stop Alisa; on the contrary, it gave her impetus. The girl firmly decided to take up boxing:

— At first, I just wanted to try boxing without any particular expectations. It was something new and active for me, where I could feel stronger.

With each session, Alisa recalls, she learned to take a punch, mastered technique, and got drawn into the training process:

— Five years flew by unnoticed for me, and boxing became not just a sport but an important part of my life.

Today, the name of Chelyabinsk athlete Alisa Kapustik sounds like a synonym for triumph. At 17, she is already a winner of the Russian Championship and the European Championship in 2025, and a bronze medalist at the 2026 Russian Championship.

— These results are the outcome of enormous work, countless training sessions, and the support of loved ones. I value them equally because each has its own story of struggle, Alisa admits.

The character of a champion is forged not only in fights but also in the ability to overcome other difficulties. For example, maintaining a balance between studies and training.

— Honestly, combining all this is very hard. There are days when it seems there«s not enough time: morning workouts, school, evening sessions, and in between, training camps and trips to competitions. But I try to prioritize wisely and plan each day. I understand that a good athlete is not only someone who boxes excellently but also someone who can handle various tasks and not lose focus. Sometimes I have to catch up on missed material, ask teachers for help, or study extra, but I try not to give up and keep moving forward, even if the pace is very high.

Behind every ring appearance and every victory, the athlete says, there is always the support of coaches and family. Her father once seriously practiced swimming and achieved success in it. So he knows firsthand what grueling training, long camps, responsible competitions, and how hard it can be to reach a goal are like. And her mother supports her daughter from a different angle.

— Dad can advise on how to cope with workloads and always gives the right tips when it«s especially tough. And mom gives care, comfort, and faith that I will succeed, shares Alisa Kapustik.

Currently, Alisa studies at Ural State University of Physical Culture (UralGUFC) to become a physical education teacher. And she continues to seriously pursue boxing. The young champion«s plans are ambitious.

— Never stop. Right now, it seems to me that everything is just beginning: so many opportunities and goals ahead to strive for. I want to continue growing as an athlete, hone my skills, learn new things, and reach more serious levels. The main goal is to move toward great victories without losing my love for boxing and the desire to get better every day, notes Alisa.

Dreaming of Olympic Gold

Nikita Gubanov is also striving for new big victories. The 17-year-old dreams of becoming a champion of Russia and the world among adults and conquering the Olympic podium. He has been working toward this goal for 11 years. Since kindergarten.

— I was only 6 years old when my friend invited me to a taekwondo class. My parents took me to a trial session, and I really liked it, recalls Nikita.

His parents supported their son«s hobby, taking him to and from training every day. Later, as the boy grew up, his hobby turned into professional sports and brought his first serious titles.

— Now I am the Russian champion among cadets and juniors. Silver medalist at the World and European Championships among cadets, winner of the Students« Spartakiad, winner and medalist of international and all-Russian tournaments.

Nikita Gubanov«s athletic spirit wasn»t broken even after a bitter defeat.

— The loss in the final at the World Championship was one of my biggest disappointments.

But Nikita didn«t give up. This defeat became a powerful incentive for him to work harder. He returned to training with doubled energy. Today, the athlete regards that loss as invaluable, tempering experience.

— I feel support from many people around me. The main support is my family, my coaches, and friends. Their belief in me greatly helps me cope with nerves before a fight, shares Nikita Gubanov.

His teachers also understand Nikita«s athletic pursuit. They are always ready to meet him halfway, see his diligence, and know how hard it is to combine high-performance sports with education. At the same time, the young athlete doesn»t take advantage of this. On the contrary, to catch up on material, he opens textbooks and studies paragraphs between training sessions and during camps.

Going Toward Your Goal

Modern youth of the Southern Urals are increasingly consciously choosing their future profession and striving for self-realization. Some find their calling in laboratories, some are enthusiastically mastering digital technologies, and some tie their lives to sports.

— According to last year«s results, 449,666 people aged 16 to 29 in the Chelyabinsk Region engage in physical culture and sports, note the regional Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports. — But no matter what direction a person chooses, the main key to success remains the ability to stubbornly go toward one»s goal.