Ivan Sosunov came to Mosmetrostroy on his birthday - April 17, 2023 and works as a senior manager at Tonnelstroykomplekt (TSK JSC). He is an active member of the Council of Young Professionals of Mosmetrostroy organizations, and recently held a fascinating master class on karate and martial arts.
Sosunov is a candidate master of sports in Kyokushinkai karate, European champion in karate among youth, holder of a black belt (I dan). Has been involved in sports since an early age.
–I come from Perm, I became interested in karate in kindergarten, where there was a section. I practiced this sport professionally until I was 19 years old almost without breaks,” says Ivan.
Already at the age of 12, as a member of the Russian national team, he won the European Junior Karate Championship in Germany, and a year later he became second at the European Championship in Belgium. Having moved to the adult category (18+), he won the Perm Territory Karate Championship.
–For me, this victory is especially valuable, because I was exactly 18 years old, I was just starting to compete at the adult level and immediately had success. Winning the adult championship of the Perm region is considered more significant than the youth championship in Russia or Europe, explains the athlete. – Then he received a black belt, gave himself a gift for coming of age.
When asked whether the sport of karate is traumatic, Ivan laughs it off: “Once I had a broken nose, but it happened during a basketball game.” The young specialist believes that everyone needs to play sports, because the advantages are obvious:
–Sport has always helped me in life. First of all, it gives confidence in one’s abilities and a sober mind. In addition, self-discipline develops, and it helps in everything. I believe that physical force should be used only as a last resort in self-defense.
After finishing his professional career, Sosunov, thanks to his good English at school, went to China to teach local children. Once in Moscow, he worked in a kindergarten... as a karate trainer. He has been in Mosmetrostroy for a year and a half now - he has been working in the Department for the Production of Concrete and Tunnel Lining Blocks, supplying metro construction sites with equipment and materials.
Ivan recently graduated from the Faculty of Psychology and Pedagogy at Synergy University and continues his master’s studies in state and municipal management. He regularly works out in the gym, boxes, and tries to keep himself in shape.
–As a child, my idol was Jackie Chan. And later - close people - my father, coaches, whom I know personally and whom I want to imitate,” he shares.
In Mosmetrostroy, Ivan met his soulmate - a colleague from his department. On September 20, Ivan Sosunov and Anastasia Mitrofanova, also a senior manager at TSK, got married.
The editorial office of the newspaper "Metrostroevets" congratulates Ivan and Anastasia on this significant event! Happiness, health and a strong metrostroyevets family!
Kyokushinkai karate originated in Japan. Age categories: boys - 12-15 years old, juniors - 16-17 years old, men - from 18 years old. Young athletes have a helmet, arm, leg and groin pads for protection. Adults fight with bare fists, only the groin is protected. Sparring lasts two minutes of regular time plus two additional rounds of two minutes each. They win not by points, but by half a victory - waza-ari (knockdown) or a complete victory ippon (knockout). If there are no knockdowns or knockouts, the judges evaluate the athletes' activity.