Sergey Ustyugov is a Russian skier. Two-time world champion of 2017 in skiathlon and team sprint, winner of the multi-day Tour de Ski 2016/2017 race, three-time world champion among youth, five-time world champion among juniors successfully performs in both sprint and distance races. Honored Master of Sports of Russia - wagon.
Despite his young age, Sergey Alexandrovich Ustyugov has already won the glory of one of the most promising skiers in the world. He practically burst into professional sports and is aimed at serious achievements.
Preparing for Success
The biography of the future champion began in 1992. The boy was born in the village of Mezhdurechenskoye of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug on April 8. The child grew very restless and alive. Very early Sergey became interested in sports. Parents decided to give their son boxing. But Ustyugov did not like this option.
After some time, the boy decided to try his hand at biathlon. He really liked to shoot at targets. Such an occupation captures much more than a boxing gloved boxing match. Time has proven that the choice was right.
Very soon, a beginner skier was far ahead of his peers in accuracy and speed. Sergei began to strive for serious victories in sports.
The boy was surprised at the disapproving attitude of his parents towards his choice. But it was quite justified: because of training, the boy was distracted from school. The sport affected the performance not in the best way. But Sergey decided to move forward, he did not intend to abandon him.
From the age of eleven, the young skier was offered to participate in races. The boy did not immediately agree, but decided in practice to get acquainted with the recommendation of the coach. The new sport was not very successful, but Ustyugov did not give up classes. After some time, the results became very impressive. Sergey was entrusted with representing his hometown at the children's and youth championships.
Takeoff start
Quite quickly, the name of Ustyugov was entered in the list of candidates for the youth national team of the country. From that moment, the professional career of an athlete began. Sergey joined the ranks and successfully entered the world level.
At the World Championships in 2011-2012 in Turkey, the skier loudly declared himself, becoming the first in all races. Not less impressively, the athlete entered Estonia at an international tournament. This ensured his participation in the first national team of Russia.
In the new season 2012-2013, the transition of a promising junior to the youth level took place. Due to the increased level of rivals, the skier had an unpleasant surprise: he failed all the competitions.
Perseverance did not allow to quit what was started. Sergei was able to partially correct the situation by winning the skiathlon for 30 km. In the team event, he became the third.
In 2014, the first Olympic Games in Ustyugov’s life took place. Together with the national team, he went to Sochi. Before the start of the competition, all experts concluded that the new member of the team will become a favorite in all races. However, hopes did not materialize.
Failures and Victories
The athlete ended up in fifth position after completing a single sprint. He admitted later that the level of rivals was much higher than expected, and ahead of the hard work to improve skills.
Her results were impressive. A year later, Ustyugov became the first at the World Cup in Estonian Otepepa. “Bronze” was won at the competitions in Rybinsk: Sergey in the team event became the second. 2016 was also successful. The athlete supplemented the collection of awards with third place in the Tour of Ski championship, a victory in the mass start of the World Cup, and second position in the multi-day Tour of Canada race.
No less impressive was the new season. It began with the Tour de Ski. During the first five stages, the skier was the leader. Only from the sixth race did he begin to concede to his rivals. The athlete finished the second stage with the second one, at least losing to the Norwegian. The final race was carried out perfectly and provided the treasured "gold".
In the prestigious race, Sergei became the second Russian to climb to the top of the podium. The first victory was obtained by Alexander Legkov in the 2012-2013 season. However, Ustyugov managed to get ahead of the previous favorite winner in the number of consecutive stages won.
