A native of the Dokshitsy district became the champion of the Republic of Belarus in bodybuilding

It is difficult to recognize the former Katya Butkevich in the confident and striking young woman. In school, she was a thin, quiet, modest girl who avoided noisy crowds. However, she studied excellently, showed good results in physical education classes, participated in running, and competed.

She finished the eleventh grade at Parafyanovo School. She hesitated about her future profession until the last moment, but at her parents' request, she enrolled in medical university. A year later, she realized it wasn't her path and left. But to avoid upsetting her loved ones, she submitted documents to another university, this time a pedagogical one. She enrolled in the chemistry and biology faculty. She settled into a dormitory in the capital and prepared for a measured student life. But that wasn't to be! There was a gym attached to the dormitory. She started going to workouts every day. She trained diligently and selflessly. Soon, she switched from the student gym to a new one. There, a trainer noticed the girl. He advised her to professionally pursue bodybuilding. Ekaterina agreed. Diligent, systematic training and a precise, balanced diet yielded results: her figure became sculpted, toned, strong, with not a gram of excess fat. Coach Eduard Bizyuk noted his student's rapid athletic progress and suggested she compete against juniors at the Republican Bodybuilding and Bodyfitness Championship. He assured her that victory would be hers.

The girl began training with doubled effort. She had to combine her studies with preparation for the championship. Her time was scheduled to the minute. But it was worth it. Three months later, Ekaterina Butkevich took first place among juniors in bodyfitness. With a gold medal on her chest and a trophy in her hands, she stood on the podium, smiling radiantly. A huge hall applauded her. The light from spotlights and video cameras blinded her eyes. Katya couldn't believe her happiness!

– The feelings are indescribable, – she admits. – These were my first serious competitions. And such immediate success! Sport gave me confidence, an opportunity for self-realization, and most importantly, a goal. I realized that I could be the sculptor of my own body.

The champion willingly shares her knowledge with others. She works as a personal trainer at a metropolitan club. She has assembled a group of young men and women and conducts fitness classes for them. She has inspired her own brother to take up bodybuilding. She has not dropped out of university: she is keeping a promise made to her parents. However, she sees her future in sports. She has recently resumed intensive training. Her next goal is the World Championship.

By Tatyana Stadolnik