#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. More than 160 athletes competed in Krasnoyarsk at the all-russian nordic all-around competition among juniors 16–17 years old, at the Regional Cup among men and women and the regional championship among children 11–13 years old.
Participants competed in five disciplines: long-distance ax throwing, cross-country stick running, national triple jump, trochee throwing and sledge jumping.
Including 73 athletes took part in all-Russian competitions. Juniors arrived in Krasnoyarsk from Kamchatka, Magadan and Sahalin, Yakutia, Hanty-Mansiysk, Chukotka and Yamalo-Nenets autonomous districts.
Another 95 athletes competed for medals at regional level competitions. The teams represented Krasnoyarsk, Bogotol, Kezhem, Taimyr Dolgano-Nenets, Turuhansk and Evenki districts. The growing popularity of northern all-around is due to the fact that it opens up new opportunities for athletes from the most remote corners.
Competition champions often come from small villages, where the only way to get to competitions is by helicopter. This sport helps northerners, develops the skills necessary for living in a harsh climate, and strengthens character.
“I live in the village of Bor, Turuhansky district. I took up northern all-around after my younger brother and went to competitions in the very first week”, shared 16-year-old athlete Elizaveta Didur. “The main thing that helps me win is endurance and physical strength, which I work hard on in training. “My plans are to set the Russian triple jump record”.
At these competitions, Elizaveta won ten medals at once. Thus, athletes from the Krasnoyarsk region showed excellent results, and took first place in the All-Russian competition. Silver medalists of the competition were teams from Yakutia. And bronze went to the Taimyr team, which also showed itself worthy in the championship among children 11–13 years old, winning first place.
The coach of the Taimyr team, an athlete from Dudinka, Eduard Komarov, at 26 years old, is already an 11-time champion of Russia and a record holder in sledge jumping.
“I have been doing northern all-around since my school years. After school, I decided to enter the physical education institute and become a teacher and coach in order to pass on skills to the younger generation. In Taimyr, great attention is now paid to national sports, and in general in Russia people are learning more and more about this sport, which cannot but rejoice”, added Eduard.
“It was very exciting. This was my first time taking part in competitions of such a scale, where so many regions were represented. I’m from the village of Nosok, and here northern all-around is the only sport that can be practiced at such a high level, so we try our best and train hard”, shared Taimyr team member Evgenia Vengo.
The competition was held with the Nornickel company’s support. As Igor Astapov, deputy director of the company’s Krasnoyarsk representative office, said, this is part of one large program to support the indigenous peoples of the North:
“Nornickel has always tried to support the communities of indigenous peoples in Taimyr. Since 2020, the company has adopted a large five-year program, which includes more than 40 events for indigenous minorities. Over the course of five years, a total of two billion rubles will be allocated for it”.
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Text: Angelika Stepanova, Photo: Nornickel’s press service
