Rostislav Trusov from Mukachevo — world champion in combat self-defense
Rostislav Trusov, a 16-year-old athlete from Mukachevo, won the world championship title in combat self-defense among boys aged 16–17 in the weight category up to 70 kg. His victory at the world championship, held in Great Britain, brought the young man another achievement — the title of Master of Sports of Ukraine.
Combat self-defense is a sport that combines elements of several martial arts, including boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and karate. In October this year, more than 1,620 participants from 32 countries gathered in Wales to compete for the title of the best. Rostislav represented Ukraine in two categories — light boxing and full boxing — and won in the semifinals and finals.
“I received this medal at the world championship. It is the largest and most valuable of all, and I already have more than sixty of them. After the final, we even exchanged jerseys with my opponent — I gave him our Ukrainian one, and he gave me his English one. Such moments remain in your memory for a long time,” Rostislav smiles.
It took the young man eleven years to reach the world championship. His sporting history began at the age of five, when his father first took him to a boxing gym.
“We tried different sports — soccer, wrestling, even breakdancing. But boxing turned out to be the one that really suits me. Although during the first training sessions I cried and didn’t want to go. And now I can’t even imagine my life without boxing,” says Rostislav.
The athlete’s coach, Valery Vishnev, fondly recalls his pupil’s first steps:
“His father brought him to the gym and went about his business. I didn’t even have time to say a word, and Rostislav was already in tears. I didn’t think he would stay long. But now he is one of the strongest young men not only in Mukachevo, but in the entire region.”
The boy trains six days a week. Rostislav says that he can no longer imagine himself without the gym — it is a place where his character is formed.
“There were many injuries. I have scars, I had to have surgery on my nose, and I have a broken bone in my hand. But each of them is an experience. When you step into the ring, you forget all about it.”
Olena Semedii, a candidate for master of sports in boxing, trains with Rostislav at the children’s and youth sports school. She admits:
“Rostik is a very motivating athlete. His strength, technique, and endurance are on par with adults. I remember when I sparred with him — I couldn’t last even half a minute. But it’s from boxers like him that you learn.”
The coach adds that over the years of training, Rostislav has won the Ukrainian championship three times, twice winning bronze and once silver. Now he has reached the top of the world.
Despite his success, the young man remains modest and focused. He is in the eleventh grade and has no plans to leave Ukraine for now.