“Champions Begin in Childhood”

Champions Begin in Childhood is an inspiring collection of stories about childhood dreams and the journey to the pinnacle of professional sport.

Authored by Unzila Myngbay, the book features 17 true stories of Kazakhstan’s celebrated athletes - including Olympic medalists and world-renowned champions such as Yeldos Smetov, Dmitriy Balandin, Alexander Vinokourov, and others. Each narrative is more than a biography; it is a powerful account of challenges overcome, victories achieved, and dreams pursued.

Developed in partnership with Sana Holding, the project is aimed at both children and adults - encouraging readers to believe in themselves and follow their goals. The book quickly became a national bestseller and was widely praised for its honesty and motivational impact. Each story is brought to life with illustrations by artist Marat Kumekov, enriching the reading experience.

The book is available in both Kazakh and Russian languages.

Sana Holding also supported the commercial release of the publication by ensuring its availability on the country’s largest retail platforms - including the Kaspi online store and the Meloman bookstore chain.