Today, legendary mountaineer Yervand Ilyinsky was honored at the Akorda residence. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev awarded the world-renowned climber the title Hero of Labour of Kazakhstan for his contribution to the development of mountaineering and the training of a whole generation of outstanding athletes. During his coaching career, Ilyinsky trained more than a hundred masters of sport, including internationally recognized athletes and honored masters of sport.
«Thanks in large part to your tremendous efforts and exceptional professionalism, the sky-blue flag of Kazakhstan proudly flies atop some of the world’s most inaccessible peaks. As an experienced high-altitude climber, a conqueror of the world’s greatest summits and a winner of numerous international competitions, you have earned global recognition. You have summited Everest and became the first representative of Kazakhstan to join the prestigious Seven Summits Club. You are rightly regarded as the founder of the Kazakh school of mountaineering, which has become a global brand for our country,» Tokayev said.
Under Ilyinsky’s leadership, Kazakhstan’s team became the first in the world to conquer all 14 eight-thousanders. President Tokayev also praised the personal qualities of the distinguished athlete and mentor, highlighting his genuine care for climbers, dedication, and exceptional professionalism. He noted Ilyinsky’s significant contribution to promoting mountaineering across the country and added that mountains instill respect for nature and a commitment to purity — values also enshrined in Kazakhstan’s new Constitution.
«Love for the mountains,
hiking, and climbing has become more than a hobby — it is a distinctive
ecological lifestyle rooted in respect for nature and a commitment to purity.
The new Constitution recognizes principles of environmental care, proper
ecological behavior, and cleanliness as an integral part, and these principles
must now take root in our national mindset. The Government and the relevant
Ministry are tasked with providing comprehensive support for mountaineering as
a sport and modern mountain tourism. A concrete action plan should be
developed, drawing on both state funding and private sponsorship,» the
President said.
According to Tokayev,
Ilyinsky’s life is a shining example of creative patriotism. Therefore, young
people should see that hard work is always appreciated and rewarded. But they
should also remember that there is no success without effort, in any field. «Only those who are truly passionate about their work
and resolutely pursue their goals invariably become champions in life,» Tokayev
emphasized. Ilyinsky, in turn, thanked the President for his high assessment of
his work and his special attention to mountaineering in Kazakhstan.
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