Ilya Ilyin - World Champion and Olympic winner in weightlifting

Ilya Ilyin - renowned for his prowess in weightlifting, is a testament to dedication and excellence in the sport.

Career and awards

Ilya was born in Kyzylorda, Republic of Kazakhstan, on May 24, 1988. From a young age he was interested in sports. Under the guidance of his father Alexander, an amateur sports enthusiast, Ilya and his siblings were involved in boxing, wrestling and weightlifting. This early and varied training allowed Ilya to receive his first notable award at just 13 years old at the Kazakhstan Weightlifting Championships, where he was noted as the youngest athlete.

During his career, Ilya won many awards, including four world champion titles in 2005, 2006, 2011 и 2014's, as well as two gold medals at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012 Years.

Among his awards – the title of honorary citizen of the Kyzylorda region, as well as receiving various awards, including prizes "Countryman of the Year" и "People's Favorite of the Year". Ilya's path to weightlifting began under the influence of his older brother Alexei, who was also a champion in this sport.

Additionally, he won the Asian Games twice. His record-breaking performances in the 94kg and 105kg categories further cemented his legacy in the sport.

Doping at the Olympic Games and retirement

However, Ilya's path was marred by controversy when he tested positive for banned substances during the London and Beijing Olympics. This led to his being stripped of his Olympic titles and a forced break from international competition for two years. Undaunted by these setbacks, Ilya returned to the sport with energy, taking first place at the International Unity Championship in Tashkent in 2020. Later that year, he announced his retirement from professional competition.

After retirement, he continues to be active in the sports community. He took on the role of director of the sports complex "Ice Moon" in his hometown and launched a clothing brand. In 2022, he expanded his influence by founding an online academy and organizing a strength sports tournament.

Leading up to his 36th birthday in 2024, Ilya Ilyin remains a key figure in the sport of weightlifting, embodying resilience and the ability to overcome adversity both on and off the platform.

Family

Ilya Ilyin, a famous athlete and attractive personality, has an intriguing personal life. Initially, Ilya was married to Svetlana Podobedova, Russian weightlifter. Their union was more formal than romantic, and ultimately led to divorce. Later he found love with a handball player Natalia Kulakova. The couple had a long and discreet relationship before getting married and having a daughter, Milana, who also has an interest in sports. Their marriage broke up in 2017 on Ilya’s initiative.

Currently Ilya is married to Tatiana Gordienko, a famous businesswoman, since 2023. They celebrated their wedding on January 12 in Astana; Ilya shared a video of this event on his Instagram. The couple often shares their life together online, enjoying their time as a duo.

The family plans to expand in the near future. Ilya announced that they were expecting a child in early September 2023, initially thinking that it would be a boy. However, a gender reveal party later revealed that they would be having a daughter instead.

Injuries and surgery

Ilya's life was not without difficulties. In 2009, he got into a fight in a cafe in Almaty, as a result of which he was injured, but recovered and returned to the sport. Its resilience is also evident from its competitive history; for example, he suffered an elbow injury during the 2008 Olympics but still managed to win.

At the end of 2023, Ilya faced a serious problem: he had to undergo emergency surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Despite this, he continues to regularly attend sporting events and has shown an interest in leading the Weightlifting Federation, currently holding a leadership position.

Education

Ilya excelled in his studies, receiving a PhD in physical education and sports from Kyzylorda State University. He has recently taken a keen interest in his cultural roots by learning the Kazakh language, reflecting his deep love for his country and the sport that has shaped his life. His early passion for athletics, which began at the age of six, led him to world-record performances and made him a national icon. Today, he inspires others as a sports manager and continues to be respected by fans around the world.