Zhavlon Shaukatov: From a Family Sports School to the World Arena

For Zhavlon Shaukatov's powerlifting journey began with his family. Today, he has won World and Asian Championships, competed for the Kazakhstan national team, and earned the title of International Master of Sports. But his journey to the sport began long before his first international medals - under the guidance of his father, an Honored Coach of Kazakhstan.

Zhavlon Shaukatov was born on June 21, 1998, in Shymkent. He began his athletic career as a child. In 2006, he began training in judo under coach A.S. Baranov and was already winning competitions. However, a few years later, his athletic career took a turn: in 2013, Zhavlon began training in powerlifting under the guidance of his father, Kakhroman Sadykov.

For the Shaukatov family, sport has long been a part of life. Zhavlon's father, Kakhroman Sadykov Shavkatovich, born November 21, 1975, is an Honored Coach of the Republic of Kazakhstan and an international powerlifting judge. His father became Zhavlon's first mentor in strength sports and helped him take his first steps in the discipline that would later become his professional career.

As early as 2014, Zhavlon began winning prizes at Kazakhstan championships, and then reached the international level. His first major successes came in the junior age category. At the Asian Bench Press Championships in Bishkek, he won a silver medal in the 74-kilogram weight class.

A year later, his first world victory followed. At the World Bench Press Championships in Sundsvall, Sweden. Zhavlon became the world youth champion in the 74-kilogram category, lifting 172.5 kilograms. That same year, he won the Asia-Oceania Championship. Raw Championships in Uzbekistan in the classic bench press.

2016 brought the athlete another world title. At the World Bench Press Championships in Rødby, Denmark, Zhavlon once again topped the podium, lifting 187.5 kilograms. That same year, he won silver at the World Classic Bench Press Championships in Potchefstroom , South Africa.

The next stage of his career involved moving up to the junior category and facing greater competition. In 2017, at the World Championships in Kaunas, Zhavlon won a bronze medal with a lift of 220 kilograms. And in 2018, he again became world champion – at the competition in Potchefstroom, he won the junior title in the 83-kilogram weight class, lifting 240 kilograms.

In 2019, Zhavlon continued his winning streak at the continental level. At the Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, he took first place among juniors in the 83-kilogram category with a total of 230 kilograms.

Zhavlon's athletic biography. At the World Championships in Vilnius, he won the junior men's equipped bench press in the 93-kilogram weight class, lifting 260 kilograms. At the same championships, he also won silver in the classic bench press with a 200-kilogram lift.

Thus, over the years of Zhavlon’s performances Shaukatov has repeatedly reached the podium at world championships. His world victories came in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2021. In addition to his championship titles, his resume includes podium finishes at world and Asian championships.

However, Zhavlon's athletic career wasn't limited to youth and junior competitions. Since 2015, he has been a member of the Republic of Kazakhstan powerlifting team. In subsequent years, the athlete continued to compete in national and international competitions.

In 2021 and 2022, Zhavlon won the Kazakhstan Championships. In 2023, he won the national championship in the bench press (up to 83 kilograms). In 2024 and 2025, he again took first place at the Kazakhstan Championships, this time competing in the classic bench press (up to 93 kilograms).

In 2024, Zhavlon returned to the world stage, this time in the open category. At the World Classic Bench Press Championships in Austin , Texas, he placed fourth in the open 93-kilogram category with a lift of 215 kilograms.

Behind the apparent simplicity of powerlifting—a barbell, a few attempts, and a number on the scoreboard—there's a tremendous amount of work. International competition demands not only physical strength but also precise judgment. It's essential to choose the right weight for each attempt, consider the condition of your competitors, maintain proper technique, and maintain concentration until the very end of the competition.

For Zhavlon, this experience has been shaped by years. He's progressed from his first competitions as a youth to international championships and competing among adult athletes. Each new weight and age category has become another challenge, requiring adaptation and serious preparation.

His father played a special role in this journey. For Zhavlon Kakhroman Sadykov wasn't just a coach, but the man who introduced him to the world of powerlifting and helped him build his athletic career over the years. His father's coaching experience became part of the foundation upon which the future champion was formed.

Today is Zhavlon Shaukatov continues to combine his athletic and professional pursuits. In 2020, he graduated from M. Auezov South Kazakhstan State University with a degree in Physical Education and Sports. His career revolves around the Shymkent City Specialized Children's and Youth Sports School of Olympic Reserve No. 20 in Weightlifting, where he works in the powerlifting department.

His story isn't just about winning medals. It's an example of how a passion that began in childhood can gradually evolve into a professional path. From his first judo lessons to world championships, from youth competitions to competing in the open category, Zhavlon Shaukatov went through several important stages of athletic development.

Continuity is especially important in this story. His father, a distinguished coach of Kazakhstan, passed on his knowledge and experience to his son, and Zhavlon continued the family sporting tradition at the international level. Today, his family name stands for years of training, dozens of competitions, and performances for Kazakhstan on the world's largest stages.

Powerlifting for Zhavlon Shaukatov's career wasn't a one-time feature, but a cause to which he dedicated a significant portion of his life. And his athletic journey continues – no longer as a young champion, but as an experienced athlete who must prove his worth in competition with open-category athletes.