Gennady Golovkin named new president of Kazakh National Olympic Committee
World-renowned Kazakhstani boxer Gennady Golovkin has become a new president of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Today, February 26, participants of the session of the General Assembly of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan voted unanimously for Gennady Golovkin to helm the organization, the post previously held by businessman Timur Kulibayev. Additionally, the session elected new members of the Executive Committee and other NOC offices.
Gennady Golovkin is widely regarded as one of the most decorated boxers of our time. Throughout his career he claimed all amateur and professional boxing titles one could think of. Gennady Golovkin, or Triple G, has gained popularity for his impeccable tactics, spectacular fights, unique winning streak and a myriad of achievements.
Hailing from Karaganda, as a child Gennady Golovkin was fond of football and wasn’t into boxing at all. Although, as a teenager he watched Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield’s fights together with his father and brothers.
He played football for a junior football team in his city. But, somehow his elder brothers persuaded him to try boxing and the rest is history.
Career in amateur boxing
Golovkin won 345 out of his 350 amateur fights and has never been knocked out.
He was supposed to represent Kazakhstan at the 2004 Athens Olympics in -69kg, but instead switched to heavier weight of -75kg giving up his place to Bakhtiyar Artayev who eventually scored Olympic gold. Golovkin himself settled for silver, although there is still controversy surrounding his questionable loss to Russian Gaidarbek Gaidarbekov.
In his interview with L’Equipe, Golovkin admitted that he genuinely believed he deserved that gold medal at the Athens Olympics. Because of his loss he felt deeply disappointed with amateur boxing. But, fortunately for us, the disappointment led to him giving a shot at professional career.
As an amateur boxer Gennady Golovkin earned gold at junior world championships, world championships and Asian championships, Asian Games and silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Professional career
During his professional career Golovkin crossed paths with different boxers from all corners of the world. His pro debut was against Hungarian Gabor Balogh in Dusseldorf, Germany whom he KOed in the first round. After his stunning debut Golovkin never stopped and won 32 out of 36 bouts ahead of time.
At the age of 28 after 19 pro fights Gennady Golovkin was crowned the WBA world middleweight champion. The Kazakhstani defended his title against Nilson Julio Tapia in 2010 in the Kazakh capital by knocking the latter out in the third round.
Gennady Golovkin happens to be a two-time world middleweight champion and a holder of three world middleweight titles.
One of his most remarkable wins were against David Lemieux, Marco Antonio Rubio, Daniel Geale, Kell Brook, Daniel Jacobs and Ryota Murata.
As a professional boxer Golovkin suffered two losses from Mexican Saul Alvarez in 2018 and 2022. The 12-round fight in September 2022 against Alvarez was Golovkin’s last one.
Personal life
The Kazakhstani tries to keep his personal life as private as possible. He doesn’t grace the pages of fancy magazines. Little is known about his spouse Alina whom he met in Kazakhstan in 2000. The couple tied the knot seven years later. They raise three kids.
