Belykh Alexey Olegovich

As you already know, my name is Aleksey. From a very early age, sports have been an integral part of my life. It all started at the age of four when my parents decided to enroll me in gymnastics. From the very first days, I found myself in a new and unusual world. Training sessions took place almost every day after school. I can't say that gymnastics brought me any special pleasure. The exercises seemed monotonous, and achieving success was quite difficult. I worked hard, completing all the coach's tasks, but despite all my efforts, I consistently remained at the bottom of the rankings in competitions. This feeling of failure frustrated me but did not break me.

After spending five long years in gymnastics, I realized that this sport was not for me. At the age of nine, I decided to try something new and chose kickboxing. From the very first training sessions, I felt that this was exactly what I needed. The atmosphere was completely different: dynamics, strength, and self-confidence. During training, I was immediately placed in sparring with older guys. Of course, the first fights were tough, and I often got hit in the nose. But every such blow was a stimulus for me to become stronger, faster, and more resilient. I learned to take a hit not only in a literal sense but also figuratively.

After a year of training, I began participating in city competitions. My fighting spirit and perseverance started to pay off. In my second year of training, I entered regional competitions. At one of these competitions, I managed to win a prize and received a camera, which at the time was a real dream for many. I still remember the joy and pride I felt. However, not all competitions ended in victory. At another competition, I was defeated after receiving a blow to the nose. It was a bitter lesson, but I did not give up. However, in 2014, well-known events occurred, and sports events were suspended. A year later, I returned to training. Competitions no longer took place, but I continued to attend the gym simply because I enjoyed it. Moreover, I began conducting warm-up sessions instead of the coach, which gave me more confidence in my abilities.

Summer training sessions were especially memorable. Fewer participants gathered in the gym during the summer, and my coach came up with unusual activities for us. Together with him, we played table tennis. This period had its own special magic: the informal atmosphere and the coach's support made training even more enjoyable. This continued until the 10th grade when my coach left. Despite this, I had no intention of giving up on sports.

After the coach left, I decided to join a gym. Since then, the gym has become a place of strength and solitude for me. To this day, I still go there, though not as often as I would like, and perhaps not with the same level of dedication as before. But sports have always been and remain a part of me. It taught me discipline, persistence, and the ability to push forward despite setbacks.

However, sports are not my only passion. In my fourth year of university, I started working and unexpectedly discovered a new hobby — politics. Politics had always interested me, but at this point, I had the opportunity to do something more. I became an assistant to a deputy. This was an entirely voluntary activity — no pay, just a desire to be useful and gain new experience. I began to attend meetings with the deputy corps (photo), participate in the delivery of humanitarian aid, and work with documents. It was a new, challenging, but incredibly interesting experience. Working with people, understanding their problems, and searching for solutions gave me a sense of significance. Each trip to deliver humanitarian aid brought a sense of inner satisfaction and confidence that I was doing something useful for society.

Another hobby worth mentioning, which many people my age share, is video games. This may not surprise anyone. For me, games are a way to relax and unwind from all my responsibilities. After studying, work, and training, sometimes you just want to immerse yourself in a virtual world where you can be anyone and do anything. Video games are not just entertainment but also a way to relieve stress and restore energy.

Looking back, I realize that all these hobbies have shaped me as a person. Sports taught me to be persistent and not give up at the first sign of failure. Political activity strengthened my communication skills and my ability to see problems from a broader perspective. Video games allowed me to find a balance between a busy schedule and rest. Each of these hobbies plays a unique role in my life. And while not all of them bring financial benefits, I am sure that each of them makes me stronger, wiser, and happier. There are still many new discoveries ahead, and I am ready to face them with an open heart and an unquenchable desire to grow.