Student Irin Korneva at TSU is pursuing a master's degree in all-encompassing combat.
A Tomsk Tale: Merging Martial Arts and Legal Studies with Irina Korneneva
Meet Irina Korneneva, a born competitor who's dazzling Tomsk with her achievements in sports and academics. Her journey began at five, dabbling in acrobatic rock-n-roll, all thanks to her Mom. Today, she heads the Tomsk Regional Universal Combat Sports Federation, holds the title of Master of Sports of Russia, and serves as a national-level sports judge. After clinching the Russian championship in universal combat sports this year, she made history as the first woman from Tomsk to do so.
Balancing her coaching career with her Law Institute studies at Tomsk State University speaks volumes about her fortitude. This year's episode of "University Without Borders" project, a joint effort by TSU and our site, delves into her inspiring fusion of sporting prowess and higher education.
Growing up, Irina was surrounded by a unique environment - her mother, who dreamt of studying law but ended up a chemist, her father who worked in a military structure. Perhaps this setting sparked her desire for legal education, a dream that had resided within her for reasons unknown. Other than TSU, the relevant universities were the police academies in Barnaul and Omsk; but Irina wasn't ready to abandon Tomsk, her family, or her sports career if she left. So, she stayed put, choosing TSU, a top-tier university, without any internal conflict.
Scholarly Endeavors
Studying Law can be intellectually engaging, and challenges were inevitable – civil law theory, for instance, tested her mettle. Yet, Irina found solace in the thrilling lectures on criminal law and practical aspects, which piqued her interest in criminology. Her relationships with professors, particularly Ilya Sergeyevich Fominykh and Igor Vladimirivich Ivanov, were warm and supportive. "It's always gratifying when praised, and I've worked hard for it," she mused.
By the fourth year, she tackled a course paper on criminology under Ilya Sergeyevich's guidance, who, incredibly, suggested the topic for her master's if she wished to pursue further studies. This idea ignited her curiosity, and in 2023, she successfully graduated from the bachelor's program. Today, she's a master's student in the Faculty of Law, focusing on Russian Criminal Justice, working on her thesis titled, "Criminological Analysis of Martial Arts Proficiency." This theme has shaped her journey as she's simultaneously developing in both sports and legal studies – just as Ilya Sergeyevich promised, everything is going well, and she's fully committed. The challenge lies in the novelty of the theme, as resources are scarce.
Athletic Pursuits
Irina's been a sports enthusiast since the age of five, thanks to her mother's introduction to acrobatic rock-n-roll. However, it wasn't until she joined her father's mixed martial arts coaching sessions at sixteen that her passion was truly kindled. In a matter of time, she left the dancing floor for the ring, winning her first competition in pancratium against experienced girls. From there, her athletic journey took off, leading her to become an active athlete, a Master of Sports of Russia, a national category sports judge, and the president of the Tomsk Regional Universal Combat Sports Federation. Notably, she led training sessions at the Legion Sports Combat Center, and her students have continued to excel, dominating Russian and world championships. This year, she reached yet another milestone by becoming the Russian champion in universal combat sports, the first woman from Tomsk to achieve this feat.
While balancing her athletic career with her legal studies demanding much of her time, Irina's dedication remains unwavering. "I've never regretted this path," she exclaims. To accommodate her busy schedule, she works as an assistant to a legal counsel in a company, a position that's not overly demanding, allowing her to focus on sports. With her competitive spirit burning bright, age isn't a factor for Irina yet. Once she earns her master's degree in law, a world of opportunities in the legal field awaits. And when the time comes to retire from sports, she'll focus on advancing her legal career.
As a manager, the document management skills she's honed through her law studies have proven invaluable. Throughout her undergraduate studies, professors supported her, allowing her to submit participation certificates and competition protocols in place of attending lectures without penalizing her or forcing her to choose between sports and academics. Irina is genuinely grateful for the opportunity to develop in areas that excite her, without resorting to a rigid choice.
With qualities like responsibility and determination, cultivated through her involvement in sports since childhood, Irina's achievements in sports, academics, and leadership speak for themselves. She's a testament to what can be achieved when one seizes life's opportunities and remains steadfast in their pursuits.
Irina's athletic pursuits evolved as she transitioned from acrobatic rock-n-roll to mixed martial arts at the age of sixteen. Her passion for sports led her to become a Master of Sports of Russia, a national category sports judge, and the president of the Tomsk Regional Universal Combat Sports Federation. (Sports, football, athletic pursuits)
Tackling her thesis titled, "Criminological Analysis of Martial Arts Proficiency," Irina combines her legal studies with her sports background. This scholarly endeavor is reflective of her commitment to both her law studies and martial arts career, demonstrating her dedication to excelling in each realm. (Sports, football, scholarly endeavors)
