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01/20/2005 Archived Entry: "Kostya Tszyu: Russia is My Birthplace; Australia is My Home!"
Kostya Tszyu: Russia is My Birthplace; Australia is My Home!
Media Release
Kostya Tszyu with a fan during a special appearance in Sydney recently
Undisputed Super Lightweight World Champion, Kostya Tszyu, confirmed his allegiance to Australia at a press conference held in his honour in Moscow…[on December 22nd]. Tszyu spoke of his love for his adopted country when prompted about the possibility of returning to Russia with his family.“Russia is my birthplace and Australia is my home that I am not going to leave,” said Tszyu. “It is the best place to raise my family. It gives good school and education for my kids and this is very important to me.”
But Tszyu reassured his Russian compatriots he would continue to have strong ties to his homeland. The pigtailed pugilist plans to utilise his famous “Kostya Tszyu” brand in a bid to develop sport for youth in Russia.“I am planning to develop a system of training boxers and turn over my experience to Russian colleagues,” said Tszyu. “Big part of this exercise is education for coaches to give them the skills and knowledge to teach new and modern methods of training to kids.”
The 140-pound (63.5kg) champion has also conceded he has interests in identifying promising boxing talent in Russia and offering them the chance to come to Australia and train at the Tszyu Boxing Academy. “Many young boys would find this opportunity very interesting,” said Tszyu. “They see how successful this move has been for my career and maybe this will make them work harder to give them best chance to be selected to train with me.”
Tszyu’s whirlwind tour of Russia came about after receiving an invitation from Moscow City Mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, to receive the Russian Sportstar of the Year Award (for athletes living abroad) at a prestigious national awards ceremony held last Friday. Tszyu then received a personal invitation from Russian President, Vladimir Putin, to spend time with him in his Novo-Ogarevo residence in the outskirts of Moscow on Sunday. The President was highly complimentary of Tszyu’s performance in his most recent fight against Sharmba Mitchell – a fight he says he watched with great pleasure.“I would like to congratulate you on the result of the latest fight. We are proud of you,” said Putin.
The tour also coincided with the announcement of Tszyu’s appointment as an International Ambassador for Moscow’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Tszyu has been included as part of an honour roll of world class Russian athletes that will form the ambassadorial team to help drive Moscow’s Olympic bid forward.“It is great, great honour for me to be recognised by my people,” said Tszyu. I am proud to be helping with this challenge. For the Olympic Games to be held in Russia would be a big lift for my people and great chance for Russia to hold the biggest and best sporting event in the world.”
Photo courtesy of www.kostyatszyu.com
