A staff for support, wings in the heart!

**A Support in the Cane, Wings in the Soul!**

Human perfection is inextricably linked with the pursuit of knowledge, honest labor, and family upbringing. The life path of Farhodjon Sayidov, a 1st class engineer at the Eastern Branch of "Uzbektelecom" JSC, was also formed precisely on the basis of these values.

Born on February 25, 1984, in Gulshan village of the Fergana region, Farhodjon studied at the Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi in 2002–2009 and successfully completed his master's degree. In his development, the example and upbringing of his parents — Rustam aka, who worked for 45 years at the Chkalov Mechanical Plant in Fergana city, and Khayriniso aya, who worked at a textile plant — play an important role.

Having heard the good news about the knowledgeable engineer's achievements in sports, I became interested in speaking with him. Farhodjon began his story with a sincere smile:

— In my childhood, I felt constant fatigue and exhaustion in my body. I made a firm decision to overcome this condition, mobilize all my capabilities, and not fall behind my peers. These efforts began back when I started school.

When I remember those days, I bow before the patience and fortitude of my parents. I am always grateful to them and always keep them in my prayers. May God grant them a long life and good health!

By the grace of the Creator and the hard work of my parents, I achieved my dreams even more than I expected. They brought me up saying: "Pay no attention to petty gossip, strive forward every day. Then you will definitely reach your target goals." They never hindered my desires; on the contrary, they always encouraged me, saying: "Your possibilities are endless, my child, you are capable of achieving your goals in sports."

Thanks to this very confidence, I managed to go beyond the limits of my capabilities and conquer new heights. My results exceeded even my parents' expectations. After graduating from the eighth grade, I was admitted to the 1st Lyceum for gifted children in the district center. This was my first victory.

— How did swimming enter your life?

— It happened in the summer of 2003. During my student life, doors to many new things opened for me. Education at the university expanded my worldview, tempered me, and increased my confidence in my own capabilities. In particular, my interest in taking up sports seriously grew stronger.

It was the hot days of summer. One day, my classmates and I headed to the Bozsuv canal, which flows near our university, to cool off. I thought that while my friends swam, I would just sit and watch them. But as soon as we reached the bank of the canal, they began jumping into the water one after another. Their excitement caught onto me as well.

I also decided to get into the water. First, I dipped my cane into the water to check its depth. Since the water came up to my waist, I thought there was no danger and threw myself into the water. I started swimming in my own way. Suddenly I realized the water was carrying me away! I wanted to stop by resting my feet on the ground, but there was no ground beneath me! My heart sank — I was drowning! In an instant, thousands of regrets passed through my mind. Fortunately, two of my friends acted swiftly and saved me.

On that day, I realized one truth: walking on land alone was not enough for me; I had to learn to "walk" in the water too! I promised myself: "I will learn to swim. For this, I need to find a good coach."

After that, I went to several swimming pools. However, most of the coaches looked at me with doubt and shook their heads. Finally, one coach directed me to the swimming pool named after Mitrofanov and advised me to find Konstantin Appolonovich Alleko there.

I found the coach, and during our very first meeting, I asked him a question:

— Will I be able to learn to swim?

Konstantin Appolonovich looked at me with a smile for a moment and answered:

— Of course! If you truly want it from the bottom of your heart, you can even learn to fly!

These words lifted my spirits so much that after four training sessions, I started swimming independently, without any auxiliary equipment!

— It is known that you participated in republican and international competitions. When were these achievements attained?

— In 2005, I took first place in an international competition held in Philadelphia (USA, State of Pennsylvania). And in 2008, I participated in the XIII Summer Paralympic Games in the capital of China, Beijing.

This competition held special significance for me. I returned to my homeland with unforgettable impressions. The reason was that the representatives of Uzbekistan participated in the Paralympic Games and worthily presented the name of our country in the international sports arena.

In this competition, where representatives of 148 countries participated, I reached the finals among para-swimmers. Becoming a finalist in itself was a great achievement for me, an immense pride, and an unforgettable victory that gave me the strength to strive for even higher goals!

— We have also heard about your coaching activities.

— Over time, the responsibility of coaching also fell upon me. I took part in preparing swimmer athletes for the London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Paralympic Games. I have students such as Ilhomjon Halimov, Murodjon Kholjigitov, Kirill Pankov, Fotima Alimova, Firdavs Musabekov, and Muslima Odilova. It is a great joy and pride for me that they participated in prestigious competitions and raised the flag of Uzbekistan high. I am pleased that I have my modest contribution to these victories.

When they respectfully address me as "Teacher," I say, "Thank God." Today, it is particularly gratifying that they themselves are coaching and contributing to the development of para-sports. For example, Murodjon Kholjigitov is a para-fencing coach in the Syrdarya region. My colleague Ilhomjon Halimov participated in powerlifting at the V Para Asian Games held in the cities of Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, and won a bronze medal.

— As far as I know, you have now changed your direction in sports. Is that correct?

— Yes, that's right. In recent years, I have fully mastered the sport of para-archery. Currently, I have been participating in international competitions in this sport and taking prize-winning places. In December 2025, in the city of Khujand, Tajikistan, at an international open competition in 18-meter distance archery included in the register of the World Archery Association, I competed alongside non-disabled athletes and took second place.

And on October 6–9 of this year, I participated in the "Tajikistan President's Cup" competition organized in Khujand on the occasion of President Emomali Rahmon's birthday. In the Olympic 70-meter distance shooting events, I took first place among para-archers and became the holder of the President's Cup. This was a great joy for me and an achievement that gave me strength to strive for even higher targets.

Of course, the merits of my coaches Salim Umbarov and Zokir Gofurov in these successes of mine are invaluable. I am endlessly grateful to them for their work, trust, and support.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the head of our branch, Vladimir Yezhkov, the representatives of the management, my colleagues and friends, my coaches, and all kind people who are creating the necessary conditions for me to engage in sports and participate in various competitions. I bow low to each and every one of them! May they all stay safe and healthy!

Among them are those dearer than life to me — my elder brother Dilshod, and my younger sisters Gulshodkhon and Odinakhon. No matter how much I thank the Creator for this love and kindness shown to me, it is not enough.

— Do your children also take an interest in sports?

— My wife Odinakhon and I are raising three daughters and one son. Our eldest, Soliha, is currently studying in the 10th grade. She chose my profession and dreams of contributing to the development of information technologies. My twelve-year-old daughter Bibihabiba followed in my footsteps and fell in love with archery. In an international competition among junior adolescents held in Tajikistan, she took first place in individual events at a distance of 30 meters, and third place in team competitions. Recently, she also returned with a third place from a competition held in Termez city for the Uzbekistan Cup.

My eight-year-old youngest daughter Rayyonakhon is also very interested in sports. She is also engaged in archery. The favorite of our family, our youngest child Muhammadhabib, has just turned one year old. I have high hopes for him too.

Farhodjon Sayidov's life path is an exemplary model of fortitude, willpower, and continuous pursuit. He has demonstrated his courage and firm determination towards his goal many times in front of his labor collective and thousands of sports enthusiasts. He did not sit idle, did not retreat from difficulties, and always strived forward. He mobilized all his strength and capabilities to benefit his family and country. He even conquered targets that many could not even imagine.

As I looked at his photos taken at international competitions, one scene caught my attention: the cane standing next to Farhodjon appeared to my eyes as if it were a wing. Yes, just like the wings of a free bird ready for flight! For what elevates a person to heights is not physical capability alone, but confidence, willpower, and an unextinguishable dream in the heart.

When you speak with him, his bright gaze and resonant voice seem to say: "Love life, do not postpone today's happiness for tomorrow, strive, act — Allah is with you!" In my opinion, his life philosophy consists of this very idea.