2. Nikolai Kuksenkov was born June 2, 1989 in
Kiev, the capital of the ex-Ukrainian SSR.
However, the athlete began a career in the
independent country, and when the boy was 2
years old the Soviet Union disappeared from
the political map of the world, instead of it a
dozen of sovereign states appeared...
In November 2012, Nikolai Kuksenkov
surprised fans of gymnastics, stating his
desire to change the Ukrainian citizenship to
a Russian. A lot of people were surprised
except his father, Julius, who is also the
coach's son. He understood that decision will
allow Nikolai to realize his potential and to be
a success. Of course, the departure of the
country's strongest gymnasts affected the
status of sports of Ukraine, but did not blame
Nikolai in lack of patriotism. But suddenly
Ukrainian functionaries of the sport named
Nikolai, who was a national champion, a
mediocre athlete ...

3. Vladimir, Russia
Anyway, in April 2013 Kuksenkov
received a Russian passport and became
a citizen of the Russian Federation.
After moving Nikolai settled in Vladimir,
where he took "under his wing" Victor
Ivanchuk, who worked as a director of
the School of Olympic Reserve.
Kuksenkov’s first international debut
under the Russian flag was in the XXVII
Summer Universiade, was held in the
city of Kazan (Tatarstan, Russia). The
young athlete literally stunned fans with
his performances of gymnastics. In
addition to the first places in the team
and individual all-around, Nikolai was on
the last day of the Universiade which
gave the third medal to him. For these
achievements, he was awarded by the
President of Russia.

4. I must say that the choice in favor of
gymnastics was not accidental. Nikolai’s
father had a lot of experience in
coaching and he instilled love to
gymnastics in his son. Under the
guidance of his father, soon Nikolai
became the gold medalist of the Junior
European Championships, and in 2011 won
the "bronze" in the adult European
Championship. In addition, he was a
champion of Ukraine several times.

5. But recently Kuksenkov seriously began to think to
leave the sport. It happened after the scandal at
the Olympic Games in London. That time the
Ukrainian team took the third place, but then the
judge counted the result and gave the bronze to
the Japanese team. Nikolai can not remember it
even now.
Nikolai Kuksenkov, a Russian champion in gymnastics,
says, "It’s hard even to go back to this. It’s injustice...
When we were questioned on live broadcast TV channels
in Ukraine, it was hard for us to find the words because
guys were sitting with medals. I was looking them into
their eyes, they were realizing that they won Olympic
medals - something important in their lives. And we were
sitting without medals. And we were saying, “Guys,
don’t worry, you’re still ahead.” Everything is very hard.
"

6. Major sports achievements (in Russia)
Championship of Russia (2013)
• Gold (team)
• Gold (crossbar)
• Silver (rings)
• Bronze (bars)
the XXVII Summer Universiade (2013)
• Gold (team)
• Gold (all-around)
• Gold (horse)

7. Do it! Even the smallest step - a movement forward.
Everything comes with experience and starts today
with a small step. Very soon you will look back and be
wondered at the past.
We’re looking forward to Nikolai Kuksenkov and our
people are sure he will be the champion many times!