Vladimir PRODIVUS (right) presents the Alexander KHIZHNYAK a certificate for an apartment. Photo: fbu.org.ua

For this very modest in everyday life and incredibly aggressive in my fights in the square ring, 22-year-old boy from Poltava, last year was truly a triumph.

In June at the European championship in Kharkiv, and in September at the world in Hamburg disciple of his father-the coach and namesake of Alexander khizhniak-the senior not only won gold in the Middleweight (75 kg), but was awarded best boxer of continental and planetary forums regardless of categories.

Before that, beginning in the fall of 2016, is unique and is rightfully awarded the title of honored master of sports the nugget, nicknamed for its astrometeorology and Deplete the defenses of the opponents style of fighting “Poltava tank”, became the champion of the country among adults and young people, Europe in the latter age categories. And no wonder that his name was entered in the Ukrainian Book of records as the athlete who for 330 days, not losing a single match, won all six of the mentioned titles.

In addition, according to the NOC of Ukraine Alexander was voted the best athlete of the country in September. And the Ministry of youth and sport of Ukraine on the eve of new year holidays gave him a special Cup athlete No. 1 last year-2017. It is also noteworthy that in both of these categories best coach named Alexander Khizhnyak senior.

– A very powerful load of titles, awards, prizes and congratulations, fallen on your shoulders, obviously, was no less severe than the route to the pedestals after daily of grueling hard workouts, uncompromising and military showdown in the squared ring with the strongest fighters of our country, continent and the entire planet? – asked the correspondent “SE” Alexander Khizhnyak.

– Yes, it was very difficult in the doctrine and is not at all easy in battle. Tried to do everything to get my fights were bright and loved people. And all subsequent awards ceremony, many congratulations and interviews, I must admit, threw me even more, probably a boost of energy. I’m the kind of person that hard for someone to refuse to communicate, in particular, to journalists. And, believe me, cost me many struggles, both physical and moral. All these meetings are literally exhausted. After all, I had to spend the sea of emotions, telling about his life, his favorite sport and successes.

At the same time, of course, very pleased that my achievements in Boxing has received a wide resonance. All of these events are impressive. And emotions overwhelmed me. I, first of all, Poltava, Ukrainian, a patriot of my city and country. Very happy with your success, believe that their in-law share with me all the coaches, teammates, all those people who have contributed to these achievements, praising our country and its Boxing program. And, first and foremost, this applies to my family, for my mentor.

“I RESPECT FATHER-COACH, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING”

– By the way, the father and he is the coach. What is the difference between them?

– Dad performed the standard of master of sport of Boxing in the days of the former USSR. He is a man who as in training and his attitude to me does not change, all the same all over. And I am very glad that my father is very fair and tolerant. There are a variety of physical and psychological nuances. And disease happen, and injuries to contend with. It always helps me to overcome such unexpected circumstances doing everything to ensure that these stages were much easier.

– It is obvious that Khizhnyak-senior led khizhniak Jr. in Boxing?

– Yes, and then it was my first and constant mentor in Boxing – and even the so-called godfather. I infinitely respect him, thank him for everything. This is impressive man. All my medals are to his credit. In the beginning of my career, he said that victory will be, but the main thing – health. You need to not only face was beautiful, but the cardiovascular system is good. That I at the proper level to communicate with people and decently behaved in the team. And began with my father to do 6-7-year-olds. However, the love of sports he instilled in me literally from the day of birth. First taught me to different physical exercises, medical gymnastics. Then it turned into lessons directly to box. Not surprisingly, for me this sport has become in the category of professional activities. I work as an athletic instructor, a member of the national team of Ukraine.

– Apparently, alternatives – Boxing or some other sport didn’t exist?

– Be otherwise simply could not. Never even thought about this question. I’m glad I have a mentor, mother and caring person. What do Boxing. To have him in my life. Constantly forces to behave in a certain tone. Here to be smug and bullying is very high nose is not necessary. Because in this case life will make him drop down. So you have to show the new results return to normal, to train with redoubled force and energy.

“TRAIN WITH GOOD EMOTIONS AND DEDICATION”

– For many, the training process is a kind of burden, is very cumbersome and tedious exercise. But for you, Alexander?

– This is my life, my job, which I do every day. Get up, do exercises. Then go to the gym. Then – again training, training. After all, no wonder they say that without difficulty not catch fish from the pond. And in my activity – medal. I, like anyone, I want everyone in my family was. Well dressed, interesting and useful way to spend leisure time. For that I need to work productively in training. Treat them with understanding the great responsibility that for me, this one will not perform. So the train with a good emotion and devotion, then the result will be. Otherwise nothing will work.

– And as the mother refers to the Boxing of her son, his girlfriend?

– My mom and my girlfriend, Tanya take it to my work. With understanding. Support. Of course, they feel sorry when injuries happen, I want them to be as small as possible. But, alas, they are and they have to put up with, to fight. Feel always in such situations, support for mom and Tanya, who are doing everything to ensure that I became despondent and went to next training session and microcycles head, desire, dream and hope.

– What was the first big success in the ring and after him developed further in the path of Champions?

– I constantly showed good results, beginning with children’s tournaments. Was the first room in the national team of schoolboys, juniors and youth. During this time he won in these age categories in the Championships of the country. Became twice the prize-winner of Europe, world champion. Then was so upset coaches with their results. They were stable. But to compare them is very difficult, because at different stages they differ, first and foremost, that had to fight in different weight and age categories. In the adult incarnation became the silver prize-winner of Ukraine, the year before champion. In the same 2015 won bronze at the first European summer games in Baku. Well, about my achievements in 2017 have all heard.

– Many boxers in the transition from Junior to adult is given with great difficulty. Because the level of skill and physical condition are just not comparable. How do you, Alexander, at the age of 18 managed at senior level to become, first, one of the best, and then – and the strongest?

Yeah, I quickly rushed into the adult Boxing national team of Ukraine. The transition period was between 17-18-th years. And my first baptism of fire in the adult incarnation has become a traditional international tournament of memory of the deserved trainer of Ukraine and two-time European champion among professionals of Pedro S. N. p. p., Benedicto in Sevastopol. He was qualifying to get into the team “Ukrainian Atamans”. I won this tournament in category to 81 kg. And then for two seasons 2013/14 and 2015 quite successfully performed in semi-professional world series of Boxing (WSB) in the “Chieftains”. It was very hard for me 18-year ordeal as I had to fight with the older and more experienced rivals in the unusual five rounds without helmets and not the current more comfortable for me category up to 75 kg, to 81 kg .So they had to prove that I, despite your 18, brave warrior.

“THE DREAM IS TO ASCEND TO THE HIGHEST STEP OF THE OLYMPIC PODIUM”

– I remember when he played for “the Chieftains”, becoming then a young newcomer in the crowd favorite for his hurricane style of fighting, my question is about your main dream I answered that I want to become the champion of Ukraine, Europe, world about the Olympic games. Three of these wishes had been fulfilled and even more than that, as has been recognized in continental and global forums the best boxer regardless of weight categories. And it now remains to implement the fourth dream, the Olympic?

– I want to say that my great gratitude to all the saints, God. For what it is, and leads me the right way, always sends to those higher results, helping to achieve victories. And I will give all their strength and skill in order to Tokyo for the Olympics 2020 to ascend to the highest step of the Olympic podium.

– Legendary Vitali Klitschko, who in Hamburg participated in the ceremony of awarding the best boxer of the world championship-2017 Alexander Khizhnyak, in one interview then they said you will go Olympian, and followed by a transition to the professionals. The current mayor of Kiev was not mistaken in his orcullo?

– First and foremost the goal is the conquest of the Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020. I am very grateful to Vitali Klitschko for your comments. He was a very strong boxer, they admired me and my whole family. But in the pros while not going away, although I am constantly trying to entice promoters. Professional Boxing is not considered at all. This topic is now closed for us. Because I’m glad to represent Ukraine in the Amateur Boxing ring and bring the country awards. My goal, again, the 2020 Olympics. I did not raise the question about the pros and in this sense do not see. If in the future there will be such a support and such incentives to compete in Olympic Boxing, I will remain on two series of Games.

– Incidentally, your aggressive style of fighting akin to that demonstrate professionals. Someone copied it?

Is my box. I’m on their own and my father reached the style in which box. And to say I’m doing this correctly or not, I think, no one can. Because this is my life in the ring and I live it as I see fit. And I will continue in the same spirit, listening to the advice of my father, the coach.

– As the saying goes, the best defense is a good offense. Suppose, say, the opponents defense?

– The game is a holistic system that consists not only of attacks, but also counterattack and protection. And she acts differently depending on a given situation in the ring.

“WE HAVE TO BE ON THREE HEADS ABOVE ITS RIVALS”

– Anger, constantly erupting aggression in the ring – and kindness, calm, one might even say, a shyness beyond. How these diametrically opposed qualities in one man Alexander Khizhnyak?

Boxing is my job. And if I go out in the ring, doing everything 100 percent. Whether it’s competition or workout. I treat it with maximum responsibility. And outside the ring is really quite different and I treat everybody differently. At the same time staying as focused in conversations with fans and journalists prefer short communication. Well, unless you make an exception. In General – this is my life style.

– Although in your sports career from tournament to tournament, there is progress that is reflected in the results and titles, but obviously not all so smooth going on on this thorny path. There were UPS and downs?

– All, of course, it happened. That were not included in the 2016 Olympics. And a considerable number of falls. And in recent years the rise. All this is not some sort of surprise, and, I believe, a pattern. Yes, I lost, and it happened because of the refereeing. My opinion: I had to go to the Games in Rio deserved it. And not only for the Olympic games, but a medal. But by the mercy of referees for the qualifying tournament was the fourth one.

Incidentally, those same opponents then an objective judging I won. Generally need to be not just one but three heads above their rivals. Then no one even the most biased referee would not be able to deny you a well-deserved victory. So my dad and coaches of the team strive to ensure that my fights have left a vivid impression on all the audience and the judges.

– How defeats – especially undeserved?

I was in a period when very hard they experienced. From this state I brought the father and our entire family, whose support always feel. All very very thankful to them. So now these stages pass much easier. And those then turn into defeat the victory, which become more vivid.

– Probably the best of fights was the final in the world Cup in Hamburg against the Abilkhan of Amankila from Kazakhstan?

That to you to judge, viewers and experts. He probably was the most vivid because it was, one of us will win the world Cup.. So it was the centre of attention, everyone was talking about it in the press. Ukrainian television broadcast, thanks to what my family and Boxing fans in our country were able to watch this final. Obviously because of his status he was the most prominent. At the same time – as heavy as all the previous ones. And not only him, but every fight had to exert all his powers on the way to a gold medal. Except for at the end was more important and even psychology.

– And you see your skill deficiencies?

They, of course, is. And constantly have to work on them, to root them out. Because if there is no flaws, then work does not seem to need. But this does not happen, because we’re human, not some programmed superrobot. And weaknesses were less constantly and work very hard. And it pays off, helping to perform on such a high note.

“THERE ARE NO PERFECT PEOPLE. BUT THERE ARE PERSONALITIES”

– Do you have any idols in Boxing?

– There are none. After all, perfect people, as we know, does not happen. But there are people I respect and admire them. Mean our Ukrainian boxers who have attained high results at the Olympic games and world Championships. This – Vasyl Lomachenko, Alexander Tendril, Denis Berinchik, Sasha Carnations, Taras Shelestyuk, Eugene Khitrov. They have benchmarks, role models.

– What is the motto of Alexander khizhniak?

– Motto, as such, I don’t have. But there are guidelines which try to adhere to: first of all, to be a man, and a good athlete and family man.

Boxing, of course, is that now the most important thing in your life. And yet, to paraphrase, they are not unified champion lives. Is there any other hobby?

I love meaningful holiday. However, it accounts for very little time. A lot depends on the mood, on the condition of the body. Love to swim, play tennis. Prefer a cultural holiday, trips to the theater, museums. Me trying to introduce my girlfriend Tanya is a smart, well-read. And she in this aspect is necessary to develop, as she is studying in one of the Polish universities.

– What kind of films do you like more?

– Don’t get hung up on genres. Not like there are different horror movies and primitive rebels. Other, especially historical, is watched with interest.

– Choosing which books to give?

Exclusively, that of the man, his physiology. Of course, I love to read the Bible, books on the history of Ukraine and the Cossacks, oral folk creativity

Music is your hobby?

– Treat it mainly as a means of distraction from its own problems, to set the mood in the company of friends. Ukrainian, Russian, other languages – does not really matter. The main thing that was beautiful, melodic.

– Remember, after the tragic death Kuzma Scriabin you, speaking in the “Ukrainian Atamans”, was released on the next battle in the Kiev Palace of sports t-shirt with a portrait of this extraordinary musician. His work, obviously you especially like?

– I like his tracks and Vyacheslav Vakarchuk. And generally in my life there is a place for Ukrainian music. But due to the tremendous congestion in the main area of my activities on it, as well as General leisure, we have little time.

“FOLLOWING TOKYO 2020 WE WILL HAVE A WEDDING”

– The most favorite dish for the native of Poltava, for sure, the dumplings?

– You are not wrong. Yes, I love our Poltava dumplings. We in the city there is a cafe where they and the dumplings are especially tasty. I there with pleasure would drop. And my mom’s borsch, home-made cakes – yum. And generally prefer Ukrainian cuisine. My girl Tanya at the Polish University is the subject of cuisine in the world. And when on vacation she comes home, prepares meals, quite unlike my mother’s. but also very tasty, delicious. I products not going to compare. And from those, and from others have fun.

– You are in Poltava, at the training camp in Koncha Zaspa or other bases for competition in our various cities and over the hill. Tanya is studying in Poland. When you happen rendezvous?

I’ve known you for nine years. Went to the same school, but she’s a year behind. Over time, our acquaintance grew into a stage of serious relationship. But here it is in Poland. Then Tanya will break to Poltava for a while, then it will come. So our meetings are mainly transient. I can say with confidence that after Tokyo 2020 we will have a wedding. And all those who helped me, doing everything that I showed good results, was a good man, – will be invited to our holiday.

– How now you became famous, call: Sasha or San Sanych?

– An interesting question (on a serious face of a champion for the first time flashed a smile). For the family, relatives, friends – I’m just Sasha. Sasha Khizhnyak. For those who know me from television or from the stands of the sports arenas, probably Alexander. If to speak about San Sanych, he had a fantastic season. After all, won all the Championships. But in fact today and tomorrow remain, Sasha, honored master of sports of Ukraine, a fighter-worker, worthy of representing our country abroad. And, above all, man…

Vladimir KAZIMIROV, Sport-Express in Ukraine

P. S. on new year’s Eve it became known that the President of Federation of Boxing of Ukraine Vladimir Prodivus presented to Alexander Khizhnyak a very pleasant gift – the key to a new apartment in a new building one of the Central districts of Poltava. And in its repair of a regional Council has allocated the champion half a million hryvnia.