Vladimir Balykov

He started training in Penza under guidance of his father, Yury Alekseevich. Since 2010 he has been competing for UMMC Sambo Club (Verkhnyaya Pyshma).

He showed brilliant results on youth and junior mats, winning all major national and international tournaments. However, the injury nearly put an end to his future career. He had to miss almost two seasons because of it, and then followed a triumphant return at the Russian Championship-2017 in Yekaterinburg, where the representative of UMMC Sambo Club (Verkhnyaya Pyshma) became not just a winner, but a real hero. He spent the entire tournament, including the final fight, with a bandaged head, having received a cut in the first meeting.

- It even fired me up in some ways, allowed me at the right time to mobilize all forces - admitted Balykov. – Yes, my left eye was a little closed because of swelling, but God gave me two eyes, so I could see my opponent perfectly. 

He sealed his success at the Russian championship in Sochi by winning the title of world champion on his first try in November 2017.

Education - higher, in 2015 graduated from the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education "Penza State University" majoring in Jurisprudence. 

In 2017, he graduated from the Center for Additional Pedagogical Education of Penza State University, majored in Physical Education and Sports. 

Warrant Officer of the Urals District of the National Guard of the Russian Federation. Vladimir is married and has a son.

Landmark achievements

• World Champion (2017) 
• Student World Cup winner (2012) 
• Russian Champion (2017) 
• Bronze medalist of Russian Championship (2011, 2012, 2014). 
• World Junior Championship Winner (2011) 
• Junior European Championship Winner (2009, 2010) 
• Winner of the World Junior Championship (2009)