Among them stands out 16-year-old Maxim Konyukhov, who, while practicing alpine skiing, has won numerous medals for his city in various competitions.
Maxim was born on June 17, 2010, in Karakol. He began his educational journey in the preparatory class of school No. 6 named after Anton Chekhov. However, due to the transition to the second shift in the second grade, he had to move to the school named after Baisara Uulu Kydyr Ake, where he continues his studies now—in the 9th grade.
In Maxim's family, which consists of seven members, a friendly atmosphere prevails. His parents—Elena Vladimirovna and Nikita Ivanovich—along with him, have an older brother Denis, a younger sister, and two younger brothers. Denis, Maxim's older brother, is a candidate for master of sports in alpine skiing and has participated in international competitions in Kazakhstan, South Korea, and China, as well as in the Winter Games "Children of Asia" in Russia. He has been an important role model for Maxim since early childhood.
“My story began in 2014 when I was four years old. I came with my mom to watch my brother's training, and the coach suggested I give it a try. In 2015, at the age of five, I first got on skis and immediately fell in love with this sport,” recalls Konyukhov.
From that moment, Maxim began his journey in alpine skiing and immediately realized that this was exactly what he needed.
“Alpine skiing combines speed, technique, adrenaline, and character. This sport requires complete dedication, and that’s what attracted me,” he shares.
In the initial stages, he was supported by his parents and older brother, and later, coaches and teammates joined them.
Maxim participated in his first competitions in 2017. He still remembers how he was filled with fear and admiration watching the performances of older athletes.
“It was in 2017. I remember being scared and amazed by the older participants. I fell on the course but got up and finished, taking first place. At that moment, I realized I wanted to continue,” he said.
Currently, Maxim trains five days a week: for the past two years, he has been practicing three days in the gym and three days on the slopes. According to him, a skier's training includes not only physical exertion but also psychological resilience.
“Sometimes the mental pressure turns out to be even harder than physical training,” he admits.
The athlete has faced difficult periods. For about two years, he consistently placed fourth and began to doubt his abilities, feeling fear of challenging courses. However, perseverance and hard work helped him overcome this stage, and his results began to improve again.
At the moment, Maxim's achievements include:
- 12 first places
- 7 second places
- 6 third places
“I am especially proud of two first places in competitions in Kazakhstan, where the competitors were very strong. It’s a different country, a different course, but I was able to showcase my skills and meet my family's expectations,” says the skier.
Although Maxim does not have a specific sports idol, he admires the technique of Swiss skier Marco Odermatt.
“I admire his technique—he is one of the strongest alpine skiers of our time. He is characterized by stability, powerful technique, and the ability to perform confidently in various disciplines, from giant slalom to speed events,” noted Konyukhov.
The brightest moments in his career are associated with competitions abroad, where an atmosphere of support and friendship prevailed. It was during these times that he felt the true spirit of sports and realized his love for alpine skiing.
In the coming years, Maxim sets serious goals for himself, aiming to join the national team of Kyrgyzstan.
“I want to represent my country in international competitions and feel proud when I start under its flag. This is not only a goal but also a great responsibility—to honorably defend the honor of my homeland,” he shares.
Despite his young age, Maxim understands that there are no random victories in sports. Behind every result lies years of hard training, overcoming doubts, and believing in oneself.
Addressing aspiring skiers, he advises: “If you want to pursue this sport professionally, don’t be afraid and live it fully. Only then will success come.”
