Ex-professional Sebastian Zbik moves from the national base in Schwerin to LSB Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – Yaroslav Samofalov takes over the junior team.
Spring also brings new energy to the boxing halls in Schwerin. On April 1, Sebastian Zbik will start a new chapter and leave the national base to take on new tasks in the competitive sports department of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Sports Association.
The 43-year-old native of Neubrandenburg has his roots in the performance center in Schwerin, where he graduated from the sports high school. As an active athlete, he enjoyed considerable success: European Championship bronze in the juniors (1999), German elite champion (2002) and later professional welterweight world champion.
Formative figure in Schwerin
Over the past twelve years, he has helped shape the work of young talent at the national base as a dedicated coach. He led the team from Boxclub Traktor to several titles in the national boxing league and is jointly responsible for the successful performance at the German Junior Championships in recent years. He has also led athletes to European and World Championships.
“Sebastian Zbik has decided to pursue a new career path. He was an important pillar for our team and especially for his athletes. We would like to thank him for his decades of commitment and wish him every success for the future,” says Traktor CEO Frank Kleinsorg.
Samofalov succeeds Zbik
However, a possible replacement will not come unprepared: In recent years, the club has focused on building up a broad trainer base. Through continuous training and further education and participation in the licensing courses of the German Boxing Association, qualified junior coaches have been built up – so the base is also ideally positioned for the future.
A familiar face is now taking over the important role in the youth sector: Yaroslav Samofalov. The former top athlete has lived in Schwerin since fleeing from the Ukraine and has been heavily involved in BC Traktor ‘s youth development work ever since. Alongside his active career, Samofalov studied and completed a master’s degree in sport and education.
Club history written
As an active athlete, he wrote Traktor club history: Samofalov was the first boxer from Schwerin to win the DM title three times in a row after reunification (2021-2023). He was also successful in the German Boxing League and won the team title three times with Team Traktor. Internationally, he has won medals at European championships in both the junior and elite categories.
Samofalov brings with him sporting experience, pedagogical training and a passion for boxing. These are the best prerequisites for continuing to successfully develop young talent at the national base.
Text: Volker Beier / Press release