– I was born in the Kynar village, which is a five minute drive from the village Chemolgan, the birthplace of our President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Our village is very small; there are only six streets across, and two streets along. The population is about 1500 people. But, despite this, people in our village love sports. Many famous athletes came out Kaynar: Andrey Abirhaev, rugby fans know him well, he played in the Russian Super League, there are two twin brothers Hassan and Hussein Isaev – master of sports in Greco-Roman wrestling, there is a master of sport of weightlifting Wagner Rustam, director of the sports boarding school where I was too. And the greatest pride in our village, I think, known to all Kazakhstani sport fans – the world champion in Greco- Roman wrestling, Asian champion, winner of the Asian Games – Bakhtiar Baiseitov. We lived in the same neighborhood, he was an example for me to follow, I always looked at him with admire. I was 6 years old when he became world champion.

 

 

– My parents have three children. I am the youngest. Each has his own life now. But I am the only who became professional athlete.

 

– Yes, I love sports since my childhood. You know, when you live in the village, you must be able to defend for yourself. I tried boxing, and went to wrestling, and played soccer. I liked soccer (laughs). Up to 9^th Grade, I played soccer, got good results, even he was on trainings in Almaty CSKA. But it did not work out for me with the coach, in half a year did not know what to do, but the fate brought me to basketball.

 

– I started playing basketball very late, at age of 17. Until that time, I was generally ignored it. We had a section of basketball in the village. I always was tall, and I decided to try myself in the basketball. I came to a sports school, to the coach Boris Borisovich, said that I wanted to play basketball, but he said it was too late, but still gave me a chance: a week to prove that 17 – it’s not too late (laughs). And in 7 days I trained and after the expiration date they said that I play good. Talked with parents and went me to a sports school in Almaty. That’s how I ended up in basketball.

 

– What is your first professional team?

– The first professional club was Almaty. I spend a season there, then moved to the Kasiy -2, played a season there then joined the first team. I played two seasons in Kaspiy. Well, and then moved to a superclub Astana.

 

– First, I was involved in Kazakhstan national team to participate in the Asian Championship; I did not believe that, it was amazing. For me it was like a joke, because at that time the season for me was not very good, I had an injury. But I thank Matteo Boniciolli that he still believed in me, and I was invited to the national team. I went with the team to the practice, and then the tournament. But I started the season in Aktau until the next game, then director said that Astana wants to see me in their team. Then I was surprised. The coach and director supported me, leaving the choice for me. I admit, I was very scared, I was not confident that I can play in Astana, the club of European level. I said that I would think. I remember, when I came home , and we were living in an apartment with Yagodkin Azim and told him everything, Azim told me the right words : "Vitali, go to the Astana without thinking , you can always go back and play in any club in Kazakhstan, and only in Astana there is a prospect and growth. Another chance you will not have. Through his words and support, I have decided to move to Astana. Now I’m sure did the right thing. I am grateful to Matteo and Valery Tihonenko that they believed in me, and gave me the chance to show myself. If someone had told me a couple of years ago that I would play in the VTB United League, I would have laughed in their face .