Honored coach Vladimir Izopolsky was at the origins of the development of Greco-Roman wrestling in Vitebsk

Today, the Honored Coach of the USSR and BSSR, Vladimir Izopolsky, celebrates his 80th birthday. During his coaching career, Vladimir Nikolaevich trained more than 60 Masters of Sport. His legacy continues today, as he heads the regional martial arts center, led by his most talented student – multiple world champion, silver medalist of the Moscow Olympics-2015, Igor Kanygin.

Childhood Scorched by War

Vladimir Nikolaevich was born in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, where his parents met and graduated from crane operator courses together. Then, by assignment, they moved to the Kherson region. It was here that the family encountered the war.

Vivid memories of the Great Patriotic War remain sharp in his mind. When Soviet troops left the regional center, a power vacuum ensued for two days. Under occupation, the city lived under the so-called protectorate of the Romanians, who were even harsher than the Germans. The latter primarily acted as observers of the allies and the local population.

In 1943, as Soviet troops launched an offensive, the occupiers presented the population with an ultimatum: leave the city within 24 hours. Volodya, his younger sister Valya, his mother, and grandmother (his father, a resistance fighter, died that same year) set off on foot, traveling 60 km to relatives in Mykolaiv.

The liberation of the city also left a vivid impression on his childhood memory. First, Soviet paratroopers landed in the port (and the family lived not far from it). Soon after, our troops entered the city. He was particularly impressed by the Cossacks, who, like heroes from the past, rode on legendary tachankas.

Becoming a Master

Of course, the war greatly influenced the character of the future coach. "We grew up as little hooligans," admits Vladimir Nikolaevich with a smile. "My mother worked as a crane operator at the central shipbuilding plant, and I had a lot of freedom."" After finishing the 7th grade at the age of 16 (the war prevented him from doing so earlier), on the advice of his school teacher, he entered the local physical education college, although all his friends chose the shipbuilding technical school. But he has never regretted his choice since. A person should meet good people on their path who will help them make the right choice.

And then there was studying at the Belarusian Institute of Physical Culture in Minsk, a city he had never been to before. This was also a matter of chance. The coach from the college met the head of the department from the Minsk university at an all-Union conference - Honored Coach of the USSR Nikolai Guriev. He asked to send talented guys to Belarus. And Vladimir was a well-developed young man: he was seriously involved in swimming, played basketball, and tried boxing.

Minsk, of course, was not as beautiful a city then as it is today. After all, only 10 years had passed since the end of the war. The institute was located in an old large building near Komarovsky market.

I came to Greco-Roman wrestling, you could say, by chance too. After the first year, a classmate suggested trying it out, as he himself was involved in wrestling. What was appealing was that the classes were conducted by the honored coach of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Mirsky. He didn't miss classes and trained purposefully. Although it was a bit difficult with food, as he had to live on a scholarship alone.

Over time, he joined the Belarusian national team, twice became a prize-winner of the republic, and of the "Burevestnik" society among USSR students. Successes followed, but, Vladimir Nikolaevich believes, he started too late. Moreover, Mirsky had more titled athletes, champions of the USSR, etc. Nevertheless, the training with the maestro gave a lot for general development in terms of technique and tactics: the wrestlers around were very diverse. Even then, the confidence was born in his soul that this was his future profession. After graduating from university, although the coach asked to keep the young man in Minsk, the rector was adamant: "We have Vitebsk "bare", and moreover, an application came from there".

On the banks of the Dvina

He arrived in Vitebsk in June 1959, but it turned out that the

"Spartak" society, where he was assigned, was not at all eager to cultivate Greco-Roman wrestling. For almost a month, while he was looking for a job through the regional sports committee, he had to live with friends. By the way, his neighbor was the future Olympic champion - hammer thrower Romuald Klim. Finally, the chairman of the regional sports society "Krasnoe Znamya" Anatoly Baranov became interested in the young specialist and offered him to pursue his own business.

And the conditions were initially nonexistent: no halls, no mats. They even used tiny utility rooms, where they had to conduct training sessions at their own risk. I immediately determined my priorities in selecting students. Not pampered sons from the central district, but to some extent even rowdy guys from the outskirts. And the guys started flocking, drawn to the mentor, especially since there were few wrestling coaches in the city where boxing dominated at the time. How many halls they changed throughout their careers. However, it was fun and there was enough enthusiasm, which is rarely found in all spheres of life today.

And the results came almost immediately. The first success was Gennady Prigun. When in 1962 he unexpectedly, even for the coach himself, won the Belarusian championship among juniors. Later, Viktor Isakov became the winner of the USSR championship among juniors, and the following year won the republic championship among adults. Nikolai Khitryakov was the winner of the youth championship of the Soviet Union, Petr Shashkov _ a prize-winner of all-Union competitions. And, of course, the multiple world champion Igor Kanygin, who won the silver medal at the Moscow Olympics. And every student left a mark on the coach's heart. He can talk about them endlessly.

Only 5 years ago, Vladimir Nikolaevich left his beloved profession, but still remains the spiritual mentor for his best student Igor Kanygin, with whom he worked together in recent years. To be the new Kanygin!

Today, Vladimir is retired, but he does not stop being interested in the development of Greco-Roman wrestling. He believes that although there were rough patches, his coaching life passed in an instant _ with pleasure. After all, the main thing for a coach is when a student has grown up and is able to replace you, to continue the work.

It is simply wonderful that recently a martial arts center was finally opened in the regional center: this facility, although located in a secluded place, is a very good support for the development of new talents. And Vladimir Nikolaevich has absolutely no doubt that they will not run out in the Vitebsk region.

Ales Byńkaŭ, "Viciebskaja praŭda"