YULIYA LI — THE ROAD TO MOUNTAIN BIKE HEIGHTS

Yuliya Li is a Master of Sports in cycling and is 18 years old. In just five years of training, she has become a multiple national champion and claimed a silver medal at the Asian Mountain Bike Championship.

Yuliya’s journey in cycling began after she moved to a new neighborhood where she met a girl who was already involved in the sport. That meeting changed her life — she felt inspired to give cycling a try, and that’s how her athletic career began.

She initially trained in road cycling but switched to mountain biking two years ago. Her main motivation was the search for new challenges and variety. According to Yuliya, mountain biking demands greater technical skills and the ability to handle a bike on difficult terrain. Every fall and every tough descent became a learning experience and a step forward. Day by day, she grew stronger and more confident.

The most difficult moments for Yuliya are when you give your all but see no result, or when your body is exhausted but your mind tells you to push even harder. During such times, she learns to listen to herself, take a break, and find support in simple things — walks, music, and time with loved ones.

As Yuliya says: “Sport is not just about the podium — it’s a journey. Sometimes hard, but always worthwhile.” Before every race, she feels a bit nervous, but she focuses and gives it her all. She knows that to reach the podium, you have to give everything you’ve got.

For her, the most valuable medal isn’t the shiniest one, but the one earned through the hardest work. The silver medal at the Asian Championship holds a special place in Yuliya’s heart — it represents two years of intense training, setbacks, and perseverance. But, as she says, it was all worth it.

Her first coach, Timur Bolatovich Kelemberdin, helped her reach the national team level. Today, Yuliya trains under Artem Viktorovich Golovashchenko, the coach who unlocked her potential in mountain biking. Yet her greatest support comes from her family.

“Sometimes support is just a message saying ‘You can do it,’ a hug after a defeat, or a phone call before an important race. These moments give incredible strength,” says Yuliya. The faith of her loved ones gives her the energy to win.

Yuliya is steadily working toward her goals, step by step. Her main objective is not only to become a professional athlete but also to promote mountain biking in Kazakhstan.

“I want to prove that mountain biking is not just tough — it’s also incredibly exciting,” says Yuliya Li.