Mother of hockey player Grakun on his help saving footballer Mostovoy from kidnappers.
The world of professional sports is often a stage for dramatic narratives, but the scene that unfolded on Vyazovaya Street in late October was a chilling departure from the scripted drama of the pitch or the rink, a stark reminder that the physical prowess honed for competition can, in a heartbeat, become a tool for survival. According to reports, Zenit St.Petersburg's dynamic midfielder, Andrey Mostovoy, found himself the target of a brazen kidnapping attempt, with assailants attempting to force him into a vehicle—a scenario more akin to a tense thriller than the life of a celebrated athlete. In that critical moment, it wasn't a tactical formation or a set-piece play that saved the day, but the instinctive, professional reaction of his long-time friend, Alexander Grakun, a hockey player whose career in the MHL with Atlanty equipped him with the situational awareness and physical fortitude to intervene decisively.As described by Grakun’s mother, Natalya, her son’s actions were those of a seasoned professional; he didn't just react, he assessed the threat in a split second, physically repelling the attackers and, in her powerful words, 'morally suppressing them, sending them into a moral knockdown,' before maintaining a controlled distance to monitor their movements, a testament to the cool-headedness required in high-pressure sporting environments. This incident, resulting in the arrest of four alleged perpetrators—reportedly students from a local maritime academy—transcends a mere crime report, revealing the profound, brotherly bond between two athletes from different sporting disciplines, a bond forged over years of shared interests from tennis to simply spending time together, both described as inherently peaceful and non-confrontational individuals who were thrust into an unthinkable situation.The aftermath saw both men filing police reports and grappling with the psychological shock, with Grakun particularly concerned about the potential impact on Mostovoy’s performance in Zenit’s crucial upcoming match against Dynamo, a worry that was spectacularly allayed when Mostovoy, displaying the mental resilience of a true champion, not only played but scored a vital goal in a 2-1 victory, a moment of catharsis for the player and his circle of friends who rallied to support him at the stadium. This episode also sheds light on Grakun’s own multifaceted character; a formidable athlete whose strength and technical skill once nearly saw him lured into boxing, he has since channeled his discipline into academia, graduating with a red diploma from his master's program and continuing into a state-funded postgraduate course, supported unwavering by his mother. Drawing a parallel to footballing legends known for their composure under pressure, like Andrés Iniesta, whose grace belied a steely resolve, Grakun’s intervention exemplifies how the attributes cultivated in sport—awareness, control, and decisive action—are not confined to the game but are integral to character, turning a potential tragedy into a story of friendship, professionalism, and the unexpected ways an athlete's training can prepare them for life's most severe tests.
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#attempted kidnapping
#Alexander Grakun
#Andrey Mostovoy
#Zenit St. Petersburg
#hockey player
#rescue
#police investigation
