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Among the Great

27 august, 2013

Serik Sapiyev Becomes a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

On August 24, Serik Sapiyev, the most acknowledged Kazakhstan boxer of today, was inducted as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Sports in the capital of Kazakhstan.  The Olympic champion, Val Barker Trophy holder and two-time World Champion won yet another victory.

 

The UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador title is granted to the world’s greatest athletes for their outstanding sports achievements as an example to follow for the youth all over the globe.  Only 13 people were honored with such a title before Serik Sapiyev: the world’s best football player Pele, seven-time Formula-1 champion Michael Schumacher, multi-time world champion in track and field Sergey Bubka, three-time world champion in track and field Veronica Campbell-Brown, two-time Olympic hockey champion Vyacheslav Fetisov, two-time world champion in track and field Virgilius Alekna, professional boxers Vitaly and Vladimir Klichko, seven-time winner of the Grand Slam tournament Justine Henin, Olympic judo champion David Douillet, Olympic beach volleyball champion Jacqueline Silva, sumo wrestler Hakuho Sho, and famous football player and coach Oscar Tabarez.

 

Usually, the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador title is awarded in the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.  However, they made an exception for the Kazakhstan athlete and held the induction ceremony in Astana.

 

The event took place in the KazMedia Information Center’s Assembly Hall and was attended by officials and famous Kazakhstan boxers among many others.

 

A biographical film, ‘The Pathway to Victory’, was made specifically to match the occasion.  It showed the milestones of Serik Sapiyev’s distinguished carrier: joining the boxing section in his native town of Abai, meeting his personal coach Alexander Strelnikov, winning the World Championships and Olympic Games.  The audience rejoiced at the London Olympics episodes accompanying them with indefatigable applause in honor of Serik Sapiyev.

 

The Diploma was handed to Serik Sapiyev by Ms. Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General.

 

“We are very happy that our organization will be represented by such an athlete as Serik Sapiyev who, as a symbol of the UNESCO’s bright ideals, will promote a healthy lifestyle for the younger generation,” said Ms. Bokova.

 

“It is a great pleasure for me to be granted such an honorary title alongside with famous athletes, UNESCO sports champions.  I will do my best to support the UNESCO policies with regard to education, culture, sports and a healthy lifestyle.  I know that this is a very important mission, that is why I will be proud to carry it,” said Serik Sapiyev.

 

Serik Sapiyev is not going to fight in the ring anymore but he is sure to win plenty of victories for Kazakhstan in the international arena in another way as the qualities that have helped him achieve so much in boxing are still with him.

 

Talgat Isenov, Astana


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