Uladzilau Hancharou

Uladzislau Hancharou was born on December 2, 1995, in Vitebsk, Belarus. His journey in trampoline gymnastics began at the age of six, despite initial assessments that questioned his athletic potential. A pivotal moment in his early career was when coach Olga Vlasova recognized his abilities and dedication, becoming his personal and national coach. Hancharou’s commitment to the sport quickly led to success, earning his first award just six years after he started competing. He continued to achieve significant milestones throughout his career, often highlighting the crucial role his coach played in his development. His wife, Hanna Hancharova, is also a highly accomplished trampoline gymnast, with whom he shares twin daughters, Miloslava and Olivia, born in October 2020.

Hancharou’s international recognition grew steadily, marked by multiple medals at European and World Championships. He secured his first gold medal at the FIG Trampoline European Championships in Guimaraes in 2014, winning the individual trampoline event and earning a bronze in the team event. The same year, he won silver in synchronized trampoline and bronze individually at the FIG Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Daytona Beach. His consistent performance continued into 2015, where he earned two silver medals (individual and synchro) and a bronze medal (team) at the World Championships in Odense. A significant turning point in his career came at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, where he won the gold medal in men’s individual trampoline. This victory was particularly notable as he became the first athlete representing Belarus to win gold in gymnastics trampolining at the Olympic Games, breaking China’s nine-year dominance in the sport. Hancharou’s success continued post-Olympics, with further gold medals in synchronized trampoline at the 2017 and 2018 World Championships, and an individual gold at the 2019 European Games in Minsk.

His career also includes numerous World Cup victories, demonstrating sustained excellence against top international competitors. He secured multiple gold medals in both individual and synchronized events across various World Cup stages. Hancharou’s achievements were formally recognized with the 2019 Belarusian Sports Olympus award from the president of Belarus, and he holds the title of Master of Sport of International Class in Belarus. Even after his Olympic gold, Hancharou remained a prominent figure in the sport, competing at the 2020 Summer Olympics (held in 2021) where he placed fourth in the individual event. His dedication to training, which includes up to two hours a day during the off-season, and his analytical approach to the sport, such as reading science articles, underscore his professional and focused approach.