For many young athletes, the Children of Asia Games are their first gateway to the big world of international sport. This was certainly the case for our hero. We spoke with Olga Izyumnikova, a bronze medalist at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain and a track and field athlete from Kazakhstan, about how competing in Yakutsk at the Children of Asia Games the previous year helped lay the foundation for future success. Olga shared her most memorable moments, her inner transformation, and the true meaning behind every medal.
- Olga, first of all, please accept our sincere congratulations on your bronze in Bahrain! It's an outstanding result. And if we look back a year ago, many say the Children of Asia Games were their first taste of the international competition atmosphere. How did you feel when you stepped onto that "start line" in Yakutsk?
Olga: It was a rollercoaster of emotions, the main one, of course, being the excitement. Imagine: you see so many athletes from other countries, you step into the sector. It was nerve-wracking, but at the same time incredibly exciting.
- What was the most valuable "trophy"—not a material one—you took away from there? Perhaps it was advice from a coach, a friendship with an opponent, or a new discovery?
Olga: The most valuable baggage are the memories and invaluable experience. The experience of your first international competition, which cannot be simulated in training. And, of course, vivid memories of the atmosphere of the Games itself, the people, the special energy that reigned there. This is what stays with you forever and warms you up.
- Describe one of the most memorable, perhaps even less obvious, moments from the Children of Asia Games: the smell of the warm-up ointment in the gym, the color of the country's uniform, the sound of the stands or the silence, your thoughts before your performance.
Olga: If I were to single out one image from my memory, it would be the moment I stepped onto the stage. It was a feeling that's hard to describe: a mixture of adrenaline, concentration, and a sense of novelty and the unknown. You stand there, take a deep breath, and for those seconds the whole world narrows down to you and the court. It was incredibly powerful.
- What experience did the Children of Asia Games give you that later came in handy on your way to bronze at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain?
Olga: They gave me the most important thing—an understanding of how to conduct myself at international competitions. How to handle pressure, how to focus, how not to get lost in unfamiliar surroundings. In Bahrain, I was no longer a newcomer and knew what to expect, and that was a huge help.
- How have you changed as an athlete and as a person between participating in the Children of Asia Games and winning a medal in Bahrain? What was your main focus in preparation?
Olga: I think I've become more confident. My fear of competitions has diminished, giving way to a healthy ambition and a desire to conquer new heights. My main focus in preparation was precisely this confidence—not just my physical readiness, but also my mental one. Learning to trust yourself, your skills, and not to fear the future, no matter how difficult it may be.
- A medal is always just the visible tip of the iceberg. What was the hidden part of this preparation? What did you have to give up, what was the most challenging physically and mentally?
Olga: The hardest part, perhaps, was the mental preparation. There were moments of doubt, fatigue, and anxiety. Not only was I worried, but so were my loved ones, who shared my worries. But when you get through it, you realize it was worth it. Every tear, every drop of sweat was an investment in that very moment on the podium.
- What would you tell that girl who just returned from the Children of Asia Games? What a piece of advice would you give her from today?
Olga: I would write: "Don't worry so much. This is only the beginning of your long journey. Cherish this experience, learn from it, and believe that all the greatest victories are still ahead. Just keep working."
- Everyone talks about discipline and hard work. What non-obvious, seemingly non-sports-related skill or hobby helped you maintain balance and move forward?
Olga: You know, it's not even a skill, but rather a foundation—support. The support of family, friends, and, of course, my coach. Their faith in me, their words of encouragement before a performance, their ability to calm me down and motivate me—that's what keeps me going. Without this support, I might not have found the strength to go all the way.
- Complete this sentence for young athletes just starting out: "Don't be afraid of..."
Olga: "...don't be afraid to lose." Losing isn't a dead end, but an important part of the journey to becoming a champion. It's a bitter but invaluable experience that strengthens character and shows what needs to be worked on.
- Based on your experience, what's truly more important than natural talent for an athlete to reach the top of the competition?
Olga: Iron discipline and the right attitude. Talent gives you a head start, but only daily, systematic work and an unwavering inner drive to win, to overcome yourself, can lead to a podium finish at major competitions.
- Bronze in Bahrain is a huge achievement. Where has your "dream point" shifted now? What do you see on your new horizon?
Olga: My new goals are the World Championships and, of course, the Olympic Games. Bronze in Bahrain showed that I'm on the right path and gave me the confidence to dream big.
- Your wishes to our readers.
Olga: I wish you patience and faith. Everything has its time. If something doesn't work out now, it doesn't mean it never will. World champions don't become champions overnight. The main thing is to believe in your dream, work hard towards it, and never give up. Your time will definitely come.
Photos from the personal archive of Olga Izyumnikova
