Denis Kuzin

Memorable sporting achievement

Winning gold in the 1500m at the 2011 Asian Winter Games in Kazakhstan, and claiming victory in the 1000m at the 2013 World Single Distances Championships in Sochi, Russian Federation. (el.kz, 20 Sep 2021)

Reason for choosing this sport

"Coach Nikolay Pastushenko came to our school and made an announcement about speed skating recruitment. Almost the whole class registered, but in the end I stayed there alone and started training."

Most influential person in career

His grandmother. (el.kz, 20 Sep 2021)

When and where did you begin this sport?

He began the sport in 1998 in Kustanai, Kazakhstan.

Injuries	In 2012 he was sidelined for four months after falling off his bicycle, injuring his shoulder and undergoing two operations. (Athlete, 13 Nov 2019; sportinfo.kz, 01 May 2013; sport-express.ru, 22 Mar 2013)
Awards and honours	He was named the 2013 Athlete of the Year in Kazakhstan. (rsport.ria.ru, 24 Jan 2014) He holds the title of Honoured Master of Sport in Kazakhstan. (skating.kz, 26 Oct 2021)

www.facebook.com/denis777
twitter.com/DennisKuzin

Sporting philosophy / motto	"Set a goal and move towards it." (el.kz, 20 Sep 2021)
Other information	RETIREMENT He retired from the sport in 2022. "It is difficult to say what will happen next after 23 years in sport." (kazpravda.kz, 25 Feb 2022; olympic.kz, 18 Feb 2022)