GSB rowing team wins bronze at HSE University Spartakiad

On March 4, as part of the 16th HSE University Spartakiad, indoor rowing competitions were held, where the Graduate School of Business team earned an honorable third place. The top three prizes went to the Faculty of Humanities (1st place), MIEM (2nd place), and GSB (3rd place).

This was the second time that indoor rowing was included in the Spartakiad, and it once again proved to be a memorable event, offering many participants the chance to set personal records. A warm and friendly atmosphere, combined with a high level of athletic preparation, contributed to the event's success. The convenient format allowed students to compete at a time that suited them, right on their home campus.

Representing the GSB in the 1+1 format were Danil Gizatullin, a second-year student of the Marketing and Market Analytics program, and Renata Khaydarova, a first-year student of the Business Informatics program. Sport has always been an integral part of their lives, shaping their character and driving their ambition. Although both are relatively new to rowing, their dedication, persistence, and competitive spirit helped them achieve impressive results. Confident in their abilities, they demonstrated a high level of preparation, proving that even in a new sport, success is attainable with passion and hard work.

In the near future, Valery Katkalo, Dean of the Graduate School of Business, will meet with Spartakiad participants and outstanding students. This gathering will serve as an open dialogue with talented young athletes and active members of the student community, providing an opportunity to discuss achievements, future development, and support for student initiatives.

Danil Gizatullin

3rd-year student of the Marketing and Market Analytics program

"The Spartakiad took place in familiar surroundings, and the format was clear. My personal goal was to beat my friend Egor, who held the top time. I enjoy rowing on the Concept2 because it’s just you and the numbers on the screen — it teaches you to stay focused and not give up, even when you're reaching your limit. It’s also an essential part of preparing for the summer season: winter is the time to build strength for the water.

Things are moving along, and there’s always room to grow. Stage 5 of the Student Rowing League just ended, and I managed to rank first in Russia in both the 2K race and the overall standings. I’ve already started training on the water again. The plans are simple: keep training, improve my results, and stay consistent. As always: united we stand — undefeated!"

Renata Khaydarova

1st-year student of the Business Informatics program

"I couldn’t stay until the end of the Spartakiad due to classes, but I was truly inspired by the number of participants who weren’t on the official team — much more than last year. This gave us the chance to invite several students to try out for the team. I also managed to improve my result in the 250m distance, which was a key factor in our small but meaningful victory.

Currently, I serve as the manager of the women’s team, so I do my best to help newcomers integrate into the group. I plan to participate more in on-water competitions and recruit new, talented athletes. Huge thanks to the organizers for a fantastic tournament!"