Zhanyl Baltabayeva

Started: She has been involved in sport since she was age 13, having started with swimming. (vesti.kz, 26 Feb 2014) Ambition: To become a Paralympic champion. (Social Mediaportal YouTube channel, 23 Apr 2018) Awards: She has received the title of Master of Sport in both Para cross-country skiing and Para canoe. (Athlete, 19 Dec 2017) Additional Info: FURTHER EDUCATION She graduated in art design from Taraz State Pedagogical Institute in Kazakhstan, and received a master's degree in sports management at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, Canada. (Athlete, 06 Mar 2018, 19 Dec 2017) EARLY DAYS As a child she insisted that she go to a regular school, rejecting the idea of being home schooled or going to a specialised boarding school. During her first years of school she was bullied because of her impairment, but by the fifth year of studying she was confident enough to stand up for herself. "I used to cry, I used to miss school because of it, and my mother would get mad at me. But when I was in the fifth grade, they'd tell me that I'm handicapped, and I'd say, 'I'm not, I have the soul of a complete person'." (almatysportclub.kz, 15 May 2015)