Fragile but strong. 10 girls in men’s sports

We used to think that some sports were dominated by men. The whole world can watch men’s soccer and basketball teams play, while women athletes are overlooked. But that doesn’t mean that women’s teams play less technically and don’t perform as well. It’s just the way things have historically been done.

Sport isn’t about gender differences, it’s about perseverance, willpower and the will to win. To prove it, we’ll tell you about ten impressive girls in seemingly masculine sports.

Daria Tulyakova

Sport: Karate.

Daria Tulyakova devotes almost all her free time to karate. Once in an interview the athlete admitted: she only has time to train and study every day. Currently Daria is a member of the Russian women’s national team, regularly appears at international competitions and still gets nervous before competitions.

I think every real athlete is nervous before a performance, because they hope to show the best possible result,” Daria said.

In early October, Tulyakova took part in the Premier League Karate1 2019, where our women’s team defeated a group from Slovakia and took bronze. By the way, the athlete’s idol since her youth years is Luca Valdesi – in the world of karate he needs no introduction. With such a good example Tuliakova has something to aspire to.

Shannon Sabadosh

Sports: hockey.

In the world of women’s hockey, this is a name that is embarrassingly unknown. At 33, Shannon is one of the most decorated players in her sport: she won Olympic gold twice and silver once. In addition, the goalkeeper of the Canadian national team won the world championship in 2012 and three times took the third position in this tournament. By the way, the athlete played in the team not only with women, but also with men. For example, she spent a couple of years of her career as a member of the Columbus Cottonmouths men’s club.

At the Vancouver Olympics, Sabados accomplished something that had never been done before by a female hockey player. In the final game against the USA, she was able to keep her team’s goal intact.

Irina Sidorkova

Sport: motorsport.

Irina Sidorkova is only 16 years old, but this does not prevent her from conquering the Spanish Formula 4 tracks. The main dream and at the same time the girl’s goal is to become a pilot of the most prestigious series Formula-1. By the way, Irina’s favorite sportsman – German racer Sebastian Vettel – also performs there.

Sidorkova developed a love for motorsports when she was 6 years old. She accidentally saw an advertisement of a go-kart track and persuaded her parents to drive a couple of laps. At that moment Ira realized: she liked speed too much not to try her hand at racing. And, indeed, soon this sport became not just a hobby, but a way of life for her.

Daria Beloded

Sport: judo.

Daria started practicing judo as a child for a reason, because she had a great example in front of her eyes. Her parents – Gennady Beloded and Svetlana Kuznetsova – are both professional judokas. They began to train their daughter, although they were initially dissatisfied with her sporting choice.

My parents were against it, but I really wanted to train. Then mom and dad reconciled and decided to work with me, since I wanted it so much. I didn’t even think about changing my sport,” Daria recalls.

Now Beloded shows amazing results on the international sports arena. This year in Tokyo, the Ukrainian athlete was able to defend the title of world judo champion, and the youngest in history. Beloded is currently aiming to win gold at the 2020 Olympics.

Alex Morgan

Sports: soccer.

Many award the US forward the title of the sexiest soccer player in the world. Alex is indeed a beautiful girl. But she is also an equally good player. Currently, Morgan plays for the French Lyon, and in 2015 she was the highest paid female athlete in her sport. At that time, Alex’s fee was $ 450 thousand, although according to the official data of the U.S. Women’s League girls did not receive more than $ 200 thousand. At the expense of sponsorship payments and various bonuses Morgan managed to double the maximum salary.

The main achievement of this year for the soccer player was the victory at the World Cup in France as part of the U.S. team. She has already won the world championship in 2015 in Canada, and also took second place in 2011 in Germany. In addition, Alex is the lucky winner of the gold medal of the Olympic Games in London.

Alexandra Ordina

Sport: boxing.

Alexandra started boxing in Voronezh under the guidance of coach Viktor Baranov. Later the athlete went to the Northern Capital and began to play for SKA St. Petersburg. By the age of 32 Ordina won the title of European champion and twice Russian champion.

Now Alexandra enters the ring in the category up to 64 kilograms, and since 2016 she has been a member of the Russian national boxing team. Interestingly, during her stay in Voronezh, Ordina managed to get two higher education: at the Technical University and at the Institute of Physical Culture. Even now, the girl-fighter does not abandon her studies, receiving a PhD in postgraduate studies at the Department of Management.