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Two tournaments took place in Nakhodka over the past weekend with the support of the Nakhodka Mineral Fertilizer Plant (NFP) – the city district open boxing championship and a hand-to-hand combat tournament in honor of Unity Day. Approximately 500 athletes participated in the tournaments.

Youth support is a priority of NFP’s social policy. Creating comfortable conditions for sports activities is an important criterion for ensuring that active residents of Nakhodka continue stay and work in their hometown. Major tournaments serve as excellent motivation for both professional athletes and beginners.

“An active sports life becomes an important factor for the youth to stay in Nakhodka and build their professional and sports careers here. It is in the interest of the business to contribute to the creation of a healthy society and to create a positive space in which the company will operate and develop in the long term.  That is why supporting sports is a mandatory social investment for NFP,” emphasized Victor Grebenyukov, the executive director of NFP.

The Nakhodka open boxing championship gathered the best young boxers from Primorsky Krai and Khabarovsk. In a show of profound symbolism, on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the first boxing section in Nakhodka, 75 boxers stepped into the ring. The tournament was dedicated to the memory of Alexey Ibragimov, a participant of the Great Patriotic War, an Honored Worker of Physical Culture of the Russian Federation, and an honorary resident of Nakhodka. It was him who opened the first boxing section in his hometown for 20 cadets of the marine school in 1947.

“The Nakhodka Championship is a selection for competitions at the next level. The winners will join the city team and participate in the regional championship,” emphasized Oleg Titov, president of the Nakhodka Boxing Federation.

Egor Kharevich, master of sports candidate from Nakhodka, was among those who added a gold medal to the Nakhodka team’s achievements. The athlete confirmed the well-known saying that “even the walls help when you are at home”.

“The most challenging thing in the ring is dealing with emotions. It was the first time I met this opponent and I didn’t know what to expect. But I had a strong support group. Today, my mother, stepfather, sister, girlfriend, and coach were rooting for me. Losing simply wasn’t an option,” the athlete shared.

Over 400 athletes from across Primorsky Krai participated in the hand-to-hand tournament. Although it was held for the first time, the organizers plan to make it an annual event.

“The goal of the tournament is to show that all nationalities are represented in sports, and everyone is equal and united. As coaches, we foster mutual respect in children from an early age. Also, young athletes need competitive practice. It’s one thing to spar during training, but it’s entirely different to compete against an unfamiliar opponent in front of a large audience. This is why we are very grateful to NFP for their assistance in organizing the event. It’s a real celebration for the children. We are holding it for the first time but plan to make it a tradition,” commented Ruslan Shakverdiev, vice president of the Kings Sports Club.

The youngest athletes were 4 years old. “It was tough for me, but I wasn’t scared and it didn’t hurt. I was determined to win, and everything worked out. I’m very happy,” said 4-year-old Vera Yarulina.  For many of young boxers, the tournament was their first in life.

NFP provided prizes and gifts to the tournament winners. Ahead lie the preparations for new large-scale tournaments.