Ukrainian Climber Yevheniia Kazbekova Targets 2028 Olympics Following Maternity Leave

Return to Competition

According to Главком: Ukrainian rock climber Yevheniia Kazbekova has announced her return to professional sport after taking maternity leave. Her goal is to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. To achieve this, Kazbekova will focus on the 'lead' discipline, which will debut as a separate Olympic event in Los Angeles. The athlete also plans to compete in two World Cup stages and the European Championships. Her comeback highlights the growing trend of elite athletes successfully returning to top-level competition after having children.

Life and Career

Yevheniia Kazbekova, now 29, made history as the first Ukrainian athlete to compete in Olympic climbing. She previously participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Remarkably, she resumed training just three weeks after the birth of her daughter, Taisiia.

This gave me a sense of strength I never knew I had. - Yevheniia Kazbekova

The athlete lives in Salt Lake City and is coached by Joy Black. In a testament to her dedication, Kazbekova conquered a climbing route during her ninth month of pregnancy. With two and a half years remaining until the 2028 Olympics, she is prepared for the new challenges in her career.

Motherhood has been a significant chapter in Yevheniia's life, altering her perspective on sport and career. She hopes her return will serve not only as a personal achievement but also as an inspiration for other athletes balancing motherhood and professional sports. Her determination underscores the importance of supporting female athletes in their pursuits to combine family life with elite competition. Success in her future events would demonstrate both her personal resilience and the capacity of women to achieve sporting excellence despite life's changes.