The role of a coach in shaping a sportsperson is unfathomable. Coaches guide their players and allow them to see their blind spots to work on them. Coaches have a unique way of doing everything. In fact, a legendary USA wrestling coach took a unique approach to celebrate his birthday as well.

Valentin Kalika is a wrestling coach from Ukraine with one of the greatest coaching track records. The veteran coach recently turned 65 and uploaded a very unique birthday celebration video. Taking to social media, Kalika followed through on a promise he had made to his followers and students long ago. In fact, he went all out and made quick work of an insane feat many athletes can’t easily do.

Wrestling coach astonishes students with stunning show of vigor

Valentin Kalika has a staunch coaching experience of 35 years of coaching wrestlers. The veteran coach has trained students for 11 years in the Soviet Union and 24 years in the US. During this time, he has produced several world champions for America. Moreover, he also produced America’s first female wrestler to win a gold at the Olympics in 2016. Kalika recently turned 65 years old. As soon as the golden day arrived, the veteran coach knew what he had to do and got himself filmed for an Instagram post. Valentin Kalika showed off his Herculean strength and performed a quick 65 pull-ups. The post also carried a caption where he shared his feelings. 

He wrote, “As promised, I pulled up 65 on my 65th birthday. Don’t judge strictly the technique of my pull-ups. I’m very glad that I continue to set my personal records. It is important for me to know that I can develop both intellectually and physically and therefore I do not want to sum up what I have done because I still have a lot to do.” The coach also took the opportunity to thank everyone who helped him on his journey. While he thanked his coaches, mentors, and family, he also extended a big thanks to his students.

The note of gratitude left by Valentin Kalika

Expressing his gratitude, Kalika also wrote, “I am very grateful to my coaches-teachers. I only had a few of them, but incredible ones! Unfortunately, they’re no longer around, but the memory of them is forever in my heart. I am very grateful to Andy Barth, without whom I would never have become a professional coach in distant and now close to me America.” Kalika also thanked his family and said that they are the reason he strives to move forward. Quite pleasantly, the wrestling coach saved the biggest thanks for his students.

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The veteran coach said, “I am grateful to my many students, thanks to whom I became a coach with an international name. (and it was my childhood dream). Thanks to my students, I learned the happiness and pain of being a real coach. And without this, as life shows, it is impossible!” The coach takes immense pride in his students and in being associated with the United States. While his display of superhuman strength was very powerful, it was his gratitude that actually moved everyone. With another new year, Kalika will look forward to producing more Olympic champions in Paris.

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