Difference between revisions of "Vitaliy Smolyanets"
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[[File:Vitaliy_Smolyanets.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Vitaliy Smolyanets (c.2013)]]Vitaliy Smolyanets was born in 1973 in Khartsyzsk, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. He joined the circus when he was 24 years old, and became an assistant animal trainer before becoming an animal trainer himself. He made his debut in the ring as a full-fledged cat trainer in 2005, when he was 32 years old. In March 2013, Vitaliy took part in the 6th International Festival of Circus Arts in Izhevsk, Russia, with his attraction, ''The Lioness Empire'', and won the coveted Russian ''Golden Bear''. | [[File:Vitaliy_Smolyanets.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Vitaliy Smolyanets (c.2013)]]Vitaliy Smolyanets was born in 1973 in Khartsyzsk, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. He joined the circus when he was 24 years old, and became an assistant animal trainer before becoming an animal trainer himself. He made his debut in the ring as a full-fledged cat trainer in 2005, when he was 32 years old. In March 2013, Vitaliy took part in the 6th International Festival of Circus Arts in Izhevsk, Russia, with his attraction, ''The Lioness Empire'', and won the coveted Russian ''Golden Bear''. | ||
| − | On February 9, 2015, during an engagement at the State Circus of Tver, Vitaliy was driving in the region when he saw the scene of a car accident; he stopped his vehicle and went to see how he could help the victims, when a truck driver who had not seen the accident scene in time, lost control of his vehicle and rolled over Vitaliy. Seriously injured, Vitaliy had to be amputated of both legs. | + | On February 9, 2015, during an engagement at the State Circus of Tver, Vitaliy was driving in the region when he saw the scene of a car accident; he stopped his vehicle and went to see how he could help the victims, when a truck driver who had not seen the accident scene in time, lost control of his vehicle and rolled over Vitaliy. Seriously injured, Vitaliy had to be amputated of both legs. To Vitaliy, it seemed to be the end of his career, and he began to lose his appetite for life. Friends rallied around him (among whom the powerful brothers [[The Zapashny Dynasty|Askold and Edgard Zapashny]]), and began to publicize his plight in the press and on television, and soon, Vitaliy was hailed as a folk hero. |
| − | In July 2015, Vitaliy Smolyanets, stuck | + | In July 2015, Vitaliy Smolyanets, stuck in a wheelchair, was presented by his fellow cat trainer, [[Nikolai Pavlenko]], the ''Master'' award of Best Animal Trainer at the first ''Master'' awards ceremony in Sochi, Russia. By then, Vitaliy, in spite of his debilitating accident, didn't consider anymore his career to be over: On December 19, 2015, fitted with artificial legs and walking with two canes, he returned to the cage with his lion and tiger act at the State Circus of Rostov, in front of an enthusiastic audience. |
Vitaliy Smolyanets is married to horse trainer Inna Asayeva; together they have a son, Vitaliy. | Vitaliy Smolyanets is married to horse trainer Inna Asayeva; together they have a son, Vitaliy. | ||
Revision as of 04:41, 12 January 2016
Cat Trainer
Vitaliy Smolyanets was born in 1973 in Khartsyzsk, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. He joined the circus when he was 24 years old, and became an assistant animal trainer before becoming an animal trainer himself. He made his debut in the ring as a full-fledged cat trainer(English/American) An trainer or presenter of wild cats such as tigers, lions, leopards, etc. in 2005, when he was 32 years old. In March 2013, Vitaliy took part in the 6th International Festival of Circus Arts in Izhevsk, Russia, with his attraction(Russian) A circus act that can occupy up to the entire second half of a circus performance., The Lioness Empire, and won the coveted Russian Golden Bear.
On February 9, 2015, during an engagement at the State Circus of Tver, Vitaliy was driving in the region when he saw the scene of a car accident; he stopped his vehicle and went to see how he could help the victims, when a truck driver who had not seen the accident scene in time, lost control of his vehicle and rolled over Vitaliy. Seriously injured, Vitaliy had to be amputated of both legs. To Vitaliy, it seemed to be the end of his career, and he began to lose his appetite for life. Friends rallied around him (among whom the powerful brothers Askold and Edgard Zapashny), and began to publicize his plight in the press and on television, and soon, Vitaliy was hailed as a folk hero.
In July 2015, Vitaliy Smolyanets, stuck in a wheelchair, was presented by his fellow cat trainer(English/American) An trainer or presenter of wild cats such as tigers, lions, leopards, etc., Nikolai Pavlenko, the Master award of Best Animal Trainer at the first Master awards ceremony in Sochi, Russia. By then, Vitaliy, in spite of his debilitating accident, didn't consider anymore his career to be over: On December 19, 2015, fitted with artificial legs and walking with two canes, he returned to the cage with his lion and tiger act at the State Circus of Rostov, in front of an enthusiastic audience.
Vitaliy Smolyanets is married to horse trainer Inna Asayeva; together they have a son, Vitaliy.
See Also
- Video: Vitaliy Smolyanets, cage act, at the State Circus of Tver (2014)
- Video: Vitaliy Smolyanets's return to the cage at the State Circus of Rostov (December 19, 2015)
Image Gallery
Vitaliy Smolyanets (c.2013)
