Day of the Airborne Forces: the best paratroopers – from Lebedev to Mineev
Sergey Sorokin August 2, 2023, 13:30 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
The famous branch of the military gave us many athletes.
On August 2, Russia celebrates the Day of the Airborne Troops. This illustrious branch of the military has long been considered the elite. And many sports stars served. Among them are representatives of professional boxing and mixed martial arts. The guys do not forget about their military past, they go to battles in berets and with the flags of the Airborne Forces. And they glorify Russia not only domestically, but also in the international arena.
Sergei Kharitonov
Sergei Kharitonov, at 42, continues to perform at a professional level. In 1997, he entered the Ryazan Higher Airborne Commando School. The fighter remembers that time with pride, because he always served in an exemplary manner, achieved great success. For five years, Sergei was the permanent captain of the Airborne Forces close combat team. Kharitonov has the rank of major.
We talk about Sergey’s next fight:
The return of the parachutist. The aging Kharitonov will fight an indistinct Brazilian
Alexander Povetkin
Alexander Povetkin is a sergeant major in the Airborne Forces Reserve. But it is very curious that at the same time the fighter did not serve in the army. He was always next to the paratroopers, he did parachute jumps. And it was at the suggestion of the military themselves that Alejandro received the title and the “Public Recognition” award. Povetkin received a bronze paratrooper statuette and a special diploma from retired Major General of the Airborne Forces Sergei Kharebin.
Denis Lebedev
Denis Lebedev has already completed his professional career. Through many fights he came out in shape and beret. But at the same time, the fighter did not serve in the Airborne Forces. In 2007, representatives of the 45th Special Purpose Regiment asked Denis to go into battle in a vest, as they hoped to surprise his lieutenant colonel. And after that, Lebedev himself became very interested in this. He joined the Russian Paratroopers Union, becoming a reserve soldier. And he spent another day in the service of the Airborne Forces. Until the end of his career, Denis went to fights in a beret.
We tell how our fighter decided to leave boxing:
He was on the verge of death, but he came out champion. Denis Lebedev quit boxing
Sergey Pavlovich
Sergey Pavlovich also managed to serve before entering the UFC. At 18 he entered the military, where he ended up in the reconnaissance and landing company of the Airborne Forces. And it was there that our fighter really fell in love with martial arts. After completing the service, the Russian continued to participate in MMA and quickly reached a professional level. Sergei said that the army taught him his character and taught him to treat his relatives differently.
Sergey Pavlovich
Photo: from the personal archive of Sergei Pavlovich.
vladimir mineev
Vladimir Mineev, perhaps, devoted the most time to the service. He first did military service in the Airborne Forces, then signed a contract. And all over the crankcase, the Russian carried it with him. The fighter attended his fights with a beret and the flag of the Airborne Forces. Also, last year, Mineev spoke about his military rank: he is a private shooter and specialist.
Vladimir continues to serve and now:
“In February and March, you can’t count on him in terms of fights.” Mineev went to the NWO
Viacheslav Babkin
Vyacheslav Babkin also served in the Airborne Forces. At that time, he was already actively engaged in martial arts, constantly competing in army hand-to-hand combat. It is curious that after the army, the fighter did not immediately decide to start a professional career. In 2015, he filled in for an injured athlete, after which he began to perform consistently in MMA.
Viacheslav Babkin
Photo: AMC Fight Night
Gamzat Hiramagomedov
Gamzat Hiramagomedov also completed military service. He entered the ranks of the Airborne Forces, where he served for a year. It is curious that recently an interesting story arose. Danil “rugby player” Aleev said that he served with Gamzat and even fell out with him in the middle of the conflict. True, Hiramagomedov himself denies this. But he has his own photograph of him in a beret.
Gamzat Hiramagomedov
Photo: from the personal archive of Gamzat Hiramagomedov
All these guys achieved great success while serving in the Airborne Forces, and then began to glorify Russia in sports. We are proud of our fighters and we are sure that the people of the Airborne Forces will continue to win and become champions.
