On September 18, an open dialogue with Jeff Monson, a member of the State Assembly of the Republic of Bashkortostan, athlete, and world champion, took place at the lecture hall of the “Znanie” (Knowledge) Society as part of the World Youth Festival. The event was arranged by Rosmolodezh under support of the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, and the World Youth Festival Directorate on behalf of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

At the beginning of his speech, the world champion in mixed martial arts recalled the first steps in his career. He focused on the differences between American and Russian schools of wrestling, emphasizing that it is precisely defeats that become a solid foundation for future victories. Monson spoke about the long road to his dream and added that he considers martial arts to be the most difficult sport.

"I worked as a psychologist and never stopped dreaming of becoming a champion — I continued to train. Every year I went to the championships, striving to get to the Olympics. It took me about six years. Once I was among the top six and was practically on the Olympic team. It wasn't easy to balance sports with family life: I had two children, and all my competitors lived in the center of the fight, where sports were their only life. I worked hard on myself, trained, and was very close to success. But after three years, I realized that I had almost no chance. Life is a strange thing. Suddenly, champions appeared next to me and started training with me. Then I received an invitation to the championship in Dubai. I tried to win the US championship, but in the end, I unexpectedly became the world champion. This experience changed my life," Jeff Monson said.

During the conversation, the athlete shared his memories of how he was inspired by Soviet athletes: "My favorite sport is hockey. Yes, I love both wrestling and hockey. Of course, I remember Fetisov and other famous hockey players. I was interested to see how a country with such outstanding athletes lived, despite all the difficulties. I just loved watching hockey, boxing, and wrestling from the USSR. Karelin was very inspiring."

Interactive games were also prepared for Monson, in which he successfully participated. In the "Echo of the USSR" format, he was shown symbols of the Soviet era — from a yula to a coin box — and asked to guess what they meant and what they were used for. In the "Russian Life" interactive game, the athlete learned more about the culture and history of Russia, and in the special format "Emotions of a Champion," he demonstrated his reactions to different situations.

At the end of the meeting, the champion shared valuable advice with the participants of the World Youth Festival Assembly. "Do what you really want to do. You live in a beautiful country where there are a lot of opportunities for everyone. Take advantage of them: get an education, do what you dream of," Monson says, adding that he became a deputy to make benefits for people.

"Now, as a public official, I realize that I can do a lot. I can open free sports schools for children and centers for soldiers returning home. I like this job—it's always different. But the main thing is that I can help people. It fills my life with joy. I don't need to think about how to be happy, because I ended my sports career and didn't feel empty. Maybe now I'm even happier than when I was just a world champion, because it leaves a mark on the lives of many people," Jeff Monson shares his thoughts.

The World Youth Festival Assembly is being held from September 17 to 21 in Nizhny Novgorod on behalf the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The Russian "Znanie" (Knowledge) Society is presenting an educational program at the Assembly, as well as organizing unique special formats where festival participants can learn about Russia's achievements in various fields.

The general partners of the WYF Assembly-2025 are the Russian Music Union, JSC Russian Railways, and Phygital Games. The general information partner is the international television channel RT, and the general media partner is ANO Dialog Regions. The partner for the excursion and regional programs is the More Than Trip program. The strategic partner is VK Tech. Co. The following have also joined the partnership program: “New Generation” program arranged by the Federal Agency for Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Residing Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), the Movement of the First, the presidential platform “Russia – Country of Opportunities”, Sovcombank, the Avito Tech. Co., State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, Russian “Znanie” (Knowledge) Society, the Film Studio Soyuzmultfilm, the Government of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Central Bank of Russia, program for young entrepreneurs “Rosmolodezh.Undertake” and the Mashuk Knowledge Center. Information support for the event is provided by Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Argumenty i Fakty publishing house, the African Initiative and the Window to Russia project of ANO “TV-Novosti”.

The organizer of the World Youth Festival Assembly is the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), the co-organizer of the event is the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the event operator is the World Youth Festival Directorate. The Festival pursues the goals of the Youth and Children national project.

Overview:

In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on preserving and developing the legacy of the World Youth Festival, which took place on the Sirius Federal Territory in 2024 and united 20,000 young people from 190 countries of the world, festival events on the territory of the Russian Federation will be held annually. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will be held in 2030. In 2026, there will be a smaller event, an International Youth Festival with 10,000 participants. In between, the World Youth Festival’s themed Assemblies will be held annually for 2,000 participants. The World Youth Festival Directorate continues its work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.