HSE Graduate School of Business badminton team wins bronze at HSE SpartakiadHSE Graduate School of Business Badminton Team Wins Bronze at HSE Spartakiad
The tournament followed a “1+1” format: first, a men’s singles match was played, followed by a women’s singles match, and if the score was 1:1, a decisive mixed doubles match took place. This format required athletes to stay fully focused and react quickly.
“My partner had just started her journey in this sport, so it was more difficult for her to handle the matches, and I had to win my singles matches and then give it my all in the mixed doubles to bring victory to the team,” shared Dmitry Frolov, a GSB team member and bronze medalist.
One of the main challenges of the tournament was the intense physical load. After a tough men’s singles match, Dmitry had just a few minutes to rest, and if the women’s match was lost, he had to go straight back onto the court for the decisive mixed doubles round.
The team’s opponents represented different faculties, and the battle on the court was intense at every stage — from the group phase to the playoff bracket. One of the most memorable encounters was the match against the Faculty of Computer Science, where the high level of preparation of the opponents demanded maximum focus in every rally.
Despite the fierce competition, a friendly atmosphere reigned on the court.
For the GSB team, taking part in such a major event was not only an opportunity to compete with strong opponents, but also a chance to once again feel the spirit of competition, represent their faculty, and fight for its honor.
Dmitry Frolov
1st-year student, Business Administration
“I started playing badminton as a child and trained from age 7 to 14. At one point, I earned the title of Candidate for Master of Sports and twice became champion of Moldova — in 2019 and 2020. However, after I turned 14, I left the sport completely and didn’t return until this tournament, so I had to quickly recall everything I had learned and adapt to the game after a long break.”
Dana Belenkaya
“I played badminton in childhood. Then I came back to it about two years ago and have been training at the Space sports center in Khimki. I want to improve my singles game and would be happy to take part in future matches.”
Egor Pokidov
“This year, the GSB team roster changed significantly, and I’m glad to note that year after year, the culture of badminton continues to develop among our students, and we’re getting results! It’s especially important that first-year students took part — this means we can talk about continuity and believe in even greater success in the future.”