Alexander Grabovik tells about sport, family, his way in wrestling, goals in life and the 2nd European games
Alexander Grabovik tells about sport, family, his way in wrestling, goals in life and the 2nd European games
28 марта 2019 1503
From June 21 to June 30, 2019, the Republic of Belarus will become a host of the 2nd European Games – international multi-sport competitions among athletes of the European continent. Such competitions are a serious test for any athlete. At the same time, it is a great honor to compete in them. Our fellow-townsman, a Greco-Roman wrestler, International Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Grabovik did his best to take part in these prestigious competitions. Being a member of the National team of Belarus he has won dozens of competitions at national and international levels. And the athlete is not going to stop there.
The art of being strong
– A real athlete is always ambitious – having conquered one peak, he immediately seeks to reach to a new one, even higher, - says Alexander Grabovik. – The military say that it's a poor soldier that never wants to become a general. Sport is the same thing. Is it worth going in for sports if you don't want to become an Olympic champion? But just think about it is not enough, of course. To achieve the cherished goal, you must work very hard. Audience sees only a small part of an athlete’s life and doesn’t even realize what is behind any success or failure. However, no matter what the skeptics say, to be in the top ten of athletes in prestigious international competitions is an excellent result, and not everyone can achieve it. In general, sport is the art of being strong both physically and mentally. It is very important to learn how to deal with the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
Alexander is only 30, but in the world of sports he is already an “old man”. His way into wrestling began in Novogrudok. When he was 10 he joined the Grodno interdistrict sports school of the trade unions "Favorite" (then - the trade union winter sports school). As Alexander assumes, he has inherited passion for sports from his father Alexander Fedorovich (died in 2007), who once played football in the local Fakel team. His mom Tatiana Rishardovna supported son as well. Although, as my interlocutor said, she still cannot watch his performances without anxiety and nerves. “Who knows what my sporting fate would be like without good coaches,” says A. Grabovik. - First - Dmitry Vladimirovich Yagovdik, then Andrey Anatolyevich Krynsky were my coaches. Both are true professionals, a lot of God-given talents. After all, it is not enough just to train. You need to know how an athlete lives outside the hall. And no matter how old he is - 10, 20 or 30. In 2004, After graduating from the basic school in gymnasium No. 1, I entered the School of Olympic reserve in Grodno, where Mikhail Anatolyevich Korovkin trained me. From 2008 to this day my coach is Ivan Mikhailovich Chechko. A good coach is like a second father to his athletes. And it is really so. Only with mutual understanding with the coach the athlete will show a good result. In this sense, I was very lucky with all the coaches. I am also grateful to Zoya Dmitrievna Shulkevich – a headmistress of the sports school of trade unions.We have good relations with Zoya Dmitrievna, Andrei Anatolyevich, other wrestling coaches and guys who also trained at school. It is very nice when they visit competitions to support me. With Ivan Mikhailovich ChechkoWith Andrey Anatolyevich Krynsky and Vladislav Prybylsky
On the mat is Alexander Grabovik
They say in sports circles: professionals aren't born, they are made. Even having a God-given talent, an athlete will never succeed without hard work. Alexander Grabovik’s achievements are the evidence of his determination, perseverance, motivation and, of course, incredible zeal.
Champion of the Republic of Belarus in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017. In 2009, he took the fifth place in the international tournament “Grand Prix Germany” (Dortmund). In 2010 - the fifth place in the international tournament "Grand Prix of Hungary" (Budapest). Bronze medalist of the Grand Prix Ivan Poddubny tournament (Tyumen, 2014). Fifth place in the World Championships in Uzbekistan (Tashkent, 2014). 2015 – gold of the international tournament in Croatia (Zagreb), silver in the international tournament in Turkey (Istanbul). In 2016, he took second place in the championship of the Republic of Belarus, won the bronze medal at the European Championship in Riga, the winner of the world tournament in Mangolia (Ulan Bator) and the world champion among military personnel in Macedonia. In 2017, at the European Championships in Serbia (Novi Sad) won silver medal, and also became the winner of international tournaments in Turkey and the “Grand Prix of Hungary”. In 2018, in an international tournament in Croatia (Zagreb), won bronze, and in Estonia (Tallinn) - silver. Also last year at the XXV International Wrestling Tournament of memory of Olympic Champion Oleg Karavaev in Minsk, which was a test competition for the II European Games, A. Grabovik was the only Belarusian wrestler who brought gold to the team. This year, in January, Alexander one more time has become the champion of Belarus in Greco-Roman wrestling in the weight class of 98 kg.
Successes and achievements of an athlete are pride not only for his coaches and relatives, but for the whole Novogrudok Land. That is why in 2017 by the decision of the district executive committee and the district Council of Deputies, Alexander Grabovik is listed in the Book of Glory of the Novogrudok District.
Behind the victories
Alexander entered the main body of the national team in Greco-Roman wrestling in 2009. Today, he is one of the most experienced wrestlers among the teammates, and the second-oldest. - The age of the athlete is very short, so there is no time to lose. I have some ambitious plans, says A. Grabovik. - In 2016, I already was a breath away from the Olympics - I took first place at the world qualifying tournament in Ulan Bator in my weight class and received an Olympic license. But by decision of the head coach of the national team, I did not become a member of the Olympic team of Belarus, but I took part in other international competitions. By the way, this is another feature of the sport, similar to military structures - the coach’s decisions are not discussed, after all, he is responsible for the result of any competition.
All the achievements have never been easy for Alexander. Professional sport is a hard mode in everything, daily trainings, permanent injuries, practically no free time and, very little time for the family. The last point worries Alexander a lot. - And there's no other way. Look, we have 17 training camps a year lasting two weeks each. Then competitions. And even, when I am at home, two trainings a day is a must, - the athlete noted. Alexander lives in Grodno with his wife Anna. They have two children. Daughter Milana is a first-grader. Son Dmitry is only 3 years old. Alexander’s wife is also an athlete, a freestyle wrestler. Now Anna is working as a coach in the trade union sports school of martial arts. Alexander, in spite of the heavy workload, graduated from Grodno Agrarian University in absentia, and now studies at Yanka Kupala State University in Grodno.
About the most important
- I often have to miss family events, but I managed to attend my daughter’s first day at school. I am very grateful to my wife that she accepts me for who I am, for her understanding and sincere worries about me. No sooner had I sometimes leave the mat, she phoned to congratulate, or, to support in case of failure. Mom also worries. But I know that she is very proud of me. Family support is the most effective and powerful incentive for every athlete, - Alexander knows firsthand. - I am really a very happy person. I have a wonderful loving family. I do what I love and have the opportunity to grow and develop professionally in it. I just can’t imagine my life without sport. And even when I finish my sports career, I think I’ll still work in this sphere. And I also have good friends and teammates. Yes, we are rivals in competitions. But in life - these are people who can be relied on in any situation. With friend Maxim Kazharsky
- The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo are ahead and I really hope to take part in them. Now I am in my prime. The main thing is not to lose shape. I will do my best at the 2nd European Games. In the first games, which were held in 2015 in Azerbaijan (Baku), our athletes won 43 awards. In the unofficial medal table, Belarus took the 7th place. This year, I am sure, everyone is aiming to improve the result. Performance at home to any athlete gives more confidence and strengthens the will to win. Sport is unpredictable. But what I am absolutely sure of is that every Belarusian athlete at the games will do everything possible so that our team will be among the leaders.
By Anastasia Zayko
Translated by Helen Chal
Alexander is only 30, but in the world of sports he is already an “old man”. His way into wrestling began in Novogrudok. When he was 10 he joined the Grodno interdistrict sports school of the trade unions "Favorite" (then - the trade union winter sports school). As Alexander assumes, he has inherited passion for sports from his father Alexander Fedorovich (died in 2007), who once played football in the local Fakel team. His mom Tatiana Rishardovna supported son as well. Although, as my interlocutor said, she still cannot watch his performances without anxiety and nerves. “Who knows what my sporting fate would be like without good coaches,” says A. Grabovik. - First - Dmitry Vladimirovich Yagovdik, then Andrey Anatolyevich Krynsky were my coaches. Both are true professionals, a lot of God-given talents. After all, it is not enough just to train. You need to know how an athlete lives outside the hall. And no matter how old he is - 10, 20 or 30. In 2004, After graduating from the basic school in gymnasium No. 1, I entered the School of Olympic reserve in Grodno, where Mikhail Anatolyevich Korovkin trained me. From 2008 to this day my coach is Ivan Mikhailovich Chechko. A good coach is like a second father to his athletes. And it is really so. Only with mutual understanding with the coach the athlete will show a good result. In this sense, I was very lucky with all the coaches. I am also grateful to Zoya Dmitrievna Shulkevich – a headmistress of the sports school of trade unions.We have good relations with Zoya Dmitrievna, Andrei Anatolyevich, other wrestling coaches and guys who also trained at school. It is very nice when they visit competitions to support me. 
With Ivan Mikhailovich Chechko 
With Andrey Anatolyevich Krynsky and Vladislav Prybylsky
Champion of the Republic of Belarus in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017. In 2009, he took the fifth place in the international tournament “Grand Prix Germany” (Dortmund). In 2010 - the fifth place in the international tournament "Grand Prix of Hungary" (Budapest). Bronze medalist of the Grand Prix Ivan Poddubny tournament (Tyumen, 2014). Fifth place in the World Championships in Uzbekistan (Tashkent, 2014). 2015 – gold of the international tournament in Croatia (Zagreb), silver in the international tournament in Turkey (Istanbul). In 2016, he took second place in the championship of the Republic of Belarus, won the bronze medal at the European Championship in Riga, the winner of the world tournament in Mangolia (Ulan Bator) and the world champion among military personnel in Macedonia. In 2017, at the European Championships in Serbia (Novi Sad) won silver medal, and also became the winner of international tournaments in Turkey and the “Grand Prix of Hungary”. In 2018, in an international tournament in Croatia (Zagreb), won bronze, and in Estonia (Tallinn) - silver. Also last year at the XXV International Wrestling Tournament of memory of Olympic Champion Oleg Karavaev in Minsk, which was a test competition for the II European Games, A. Grabovik was the only Belarusian wrestler who brought gold to the team. This year, in January, Alexander one more time has become the champion of Belarus in Greco-Roman wrestling in the weight class of 98 kg. 
Successes and achievements of an athlete are pride not only for his coaches and relatives, but for the whole Novogrudok Land. That is why in 2017 by the decision of the district executive committee and the district Council of Deputies, Alexander Grabovik is listed in the Book of Glory of the Novogrudok District. 
All the achievements have never been easy for Alexander. Professional sport is a hard mode in everything, daily trainings, permanent injuries, practically no free time and, very little time for the family. The last point worries Alexander a lot. - And there's no other way. Look, we have 17 training camps a year lasting two weeks each. Then competitions. And even, when I am at home, two trainings a day is a must, - the athlete noted. Alexander lives in Grodno with his wife Anna. They have two children. Daughter Milana is a first-grader. Son Dmitry is only 3 years old. Alexander’s wife is also an athlete, a freestyle wrestler. Now Anna is working as a coach in the trade union sports school of martial arts. Alexander, in spite of the heavy workload, graduated from Grodno Agrarian University in absentia, and now studies at Yanka Kupala State University in Grodno. 
With friend Maxim Kazharsky
- The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo are ahead and I really hope to take part in them. Now I am in my prime. The main thing is not to lose shape. I will do my best at the 2nd European Games. In the first games, which were held in 2015 in Azerbaijan (Baku), our athletes won 43 awards. In the unofficial medal table, Belarus took the 7th place. This year, I am sure, everyone is aiming to improve the result. Performance at home to any athlete gives more confidence and strengthens the will to win. Sport is unpredictable. But what I am absolutely sure of is that every Belarusian athlete at the games will do everything possible so that our team will be among the leaders.
By Anastasia Zayko
Translated by Helen Chal 
