Obstacle race

Every sport requires immense effort and a challenging journey. Choosing sports as a lifelong career brings both the thrill of victory and the risks that come with it.

Irina Levina is 21 years old and has already faced a difficult path in her nine years of athletic career, which she plans to continue developing. Choosing track and field, Irina also set her dreams in motion. From her first steps in the sport, she felt the excitement and competitive spirit that motivated her.

From the beginning, Irina showed great promise, with steadily improving results from one competition to the next. However, improper training loads and youthful overexertion led to her first serious injury. This experience fueled her primary goal—to become a coach who can guide athletes correctly, preventing injuries.

After a lengthy recovery, Irina was hit by a car, resulting in a tibial fracture that required even more time to return to her athletic form. But time was something the athlete didn’t have, as she needed to pass practical entrance exams for university, where she would study to become a coach. As soon as her cast was removed, Irina began training intensively. Still limping, she managed to pass the exams and was admitted to university.

An intense preparation for the competitive season began. During one training session, Irina heard a crunch in her foot but decided to continue despite the pain. Her performance in competitions earned her a spot on the relay team for the 4x400m event at the Islamic Solidarity Games (Konya 2021). After the season, it became clear that enduring the pain in her foot was no longer possible. A fracture of the sesamoid bone in her foot was discovered, requiring surgery. The treatment and recovery would take significant time again, but with the right approach from her coach, Irina was back competing and setting personal records just five months later.

Today, Irina is a member of Uzbekistan’s national track and field team, a multiple-time medalist at the Uzbekistan Championships and international competitions, and a candidate for Master of Sport. This summer season brought Irina three silver and two bronze medals in international 800m races. Her ultimate dream is to participate in the Olympic Games.

Photograph: Liliya Nasyrova

Model: Irina Levina

MUAH: Elmira Kambekova