Oleg Valenchuk: The Mikhail Zayets Memorial Tournament — one of the steps toward sporting heights

      On November 8, the regional competitions and the municipal judo tournament of the city of Slobodskoy were held at the Krasny Anchor Sports Complex, bringing together more than 250 young athletes from various corners of Kirov Oblast. The tournament, dedicated to the memory of the outstanding coach-instructor Mikhail Mikhailovich Zayets, has for more than 10 years been an important milestone in the region’s sporting life and a symbol of respect for judo traditions.

      The Mikhail Zayets Memorial Tournament serves as a launching pad for beginning judokas, giving them the opportunity to test their strength and skills. Participants represented the cities of Slobodskoy, Izhevsk, Kirov, Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kotel'nich, Belaya Kholunitsa, Sovetsk, Urzhum, as well as the settlements of Vostochny and Leninskoye.

      The President of the Judo Federation of Kirov Oblast and State Duma deputy Oleg Valenchuk emphasized the importance not only of victories but also of competitive experience. “The Mikhail Zayets Memorial Judo Tournament is one of the steps toward sporting heights. The young participants of this tournament are true athletes with strong character and an unbending will to win. They know how to analyze mistakes and move forward despite difficulties. Judo is not just a sport; it is a philosophy and a strategy that help in any life situation,” Oleg Valenchuk said, calling on all competitors to strive for new achievements both on the tatami and in life.

      At the tournament’s opening, the "Candidate for Master of Sport" certificate was presented to Emin Guseinov, a pupil of the Slobodskoy sports school, which became an additional incentive for all participants. Judo in Kirov Oblast is actively developing, and tournaments of this scale are held regularly. This creates opportunities for athletes not only to showcase their skills but also to exchange experience, which is an important part of athletic growth. The competition results can be found in the official group of the Judo Federation of Kirov Oblast on the social network VKontakte.