Pavel Toropov
Involved in competitive sport since the age of four, after completing a PhD in Ecology, Pavel worked in Colombia, Brazil, the UAE, South Korea and China. His love of outdoors sees him setting courses for ultra-marathons in Bhutan, powder skiing in Japan and guiding tourists to both the North and South Poles. He also crossed South America by bicycle, pedalling over 12,000 kilometres, alone. A former competitive distance runner, Pavel speaks English, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese and French and supports AFC Wimbledon, his local football club.
Latest from Pavel Toropov
Before you hit the track, trail or road, make sure you get your body weight measured, joints aligned, symmetry corrected and gait reviewed.
Before you hit the track, trail or road, make sure you get your body weight measured, joints aligned, symmetry corrected and gait reviewed.
Sunmaya Budha lies to her parents about postponing her marriage to seek an education and instead pursues a running career.
Sunmaya Budha lies to her parents about postponing her marriage to seek an education and instead pursues a running career.
Elite level climbers are moving back to the cities, away from the rocks, to compete indoors for ‘world-beating’ prize money.
Elite level climbers are moving back to the cities, away from the rocks, to compete indoors for ‘world-beating’ prize money.
Birding, or birdwatching, in China has become seen as a modern and fun hobby, nowhere more so than in Beijing, which boasts a startling diversity of birds.
Birding, or birdwatching, in China has become seen as a modern and fun hobby, nowhere more so than in Beijing, which boasts a startling diversity of birds.
A trail race in 2015 could be a sign of more to come, as North Korea prepares to open to tourists post-pandemic.
A trail race in 2015 could be a sign of more to come, as North Korea prepares to open to tourists post-pandemic.
Nicola ‘Nik’ Zanella spots a break in North Korea on Google Earth and seeks permission to find the wave and introduce locals to surfing.
Nicola ‘Nik’ Zanella spots a break in North Korea on Google Earth and seeks permission to find the wave and introduce locals to surfing.
Going after the Mr Bigs and the international gangs behind the illegal trade in endangered wild animals in Hong Kong using a law against serious and organised crimes is proposed in a legislative White Paper.
Going after the Mr Bigs and the international gangs behind the illegal trade in endangered wild animals in Hong Kong using a law against serious and organised crimes is proposed in a legislative White Paper.
Jesse Yang Mengheng has both arms amputated after being electrocuted – the first of many setbacks as ‘defeats’ outweigh ‘triumphs’ for former Paralympic hopeful.
Jesse Yang Mengheng has both arms amputated after being electrocuted – the first of many setbacks as ‘defeats’ outweigh ‘triumphs’ for former Paralympic hopeful.
Make sure all your friends and family know just how hardcore you are by posting on Instagram in the middle of a race, but avoid including trail markers in the photo.
Make sure all your friends and family know just how hardcore you are by posting on Instagram in the middle of a race, but avoid including trail markers in the photo.
Hong Kong’s dwindling population of Eurasian otters clings on in wetlands and fish ponds near the border with China. Their numbers can only be gauged by examining their droppings.
Hong Kong’s dwindling population of Eurasian otters clings on in wetlands and fish ponds near the border with China. Their numbers can only be gauged by examining their droppings.
Hundreds of thousands of workers left jobless in India return to Nepal, only to be shunned for fear of the coronavirus until Karnali running club comes to their aid.
Hundreds of thousands of workers left jobless in India return to Nepal, only to be shunned for fear of the coronavirus until Karnali running club comes to their aid.
The timeline of Chinese running races has seen many false dawns with promises of the return of races, but now they really are getting back to normal.
The timeline of Chinese running races has seen many false dawns with promises of the return of races, but now they really are getting back to normal.
Scientists at the University of Hong Kong experiment with laying clay tiles to restore coral colonies in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park hit by unexplained ecological catastrophe in 2015 and 2016.
Scientists at the University of Hong Kong experiment with laying clay tiles to restore coral colonies in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park hit by unexplained ecological catastrophe in 2015 and 2016.
Ekaterina ‘Katya’ Mityaeva starts off orienteering but finds a life in trail running and is now ‘fully immersed’ in the sport
Ekaterina ‘Katya’ Mityaeva starts off orienteering but finds a life in trail running and is now ‘fully immersed’ in the sport
Zabit Magomedsharipov and Muslim Salikhov’s traditional martial arts values instilled in them as students at a wushu academy founded by a Dagestani philosopher in an empty field.
Zabit Magomedsharipov and Muslim Salikhov’s traditional martial arts values instilled in them as students at a wushu academy founded by a Dagestani philosopher in an empty field.
Canadian Jeff Rotmeyer saw too many young adults with Down’s syndrome die. He set up charity The Love 21 Foundation in Hong Kong to keep them active and extend their lives.
Canadian Jeff Rotmeyer saw too many young adults with Down’s syndrome die. He set up charity The Love 21 Foundation in Hong Kong to keep them active and extend their lives.
Scientists at the University of Hong Kong can now tell whether songbirds for sale at markets have been wild-caught and are developing a host of other techniques to combat the illegal wildlife trade in the city and beyond.
Scientists at the University of Hong Kong can now tell whether songbirds for sale at markets have been wild-caught and are developing a host of other techniques to combat the illegal wildlife trade in the city and beyond.
Cai Zongju was once asked by a TV interviewer why she chose to be a boxer because ‘you are a girl’ and ‘mommy’s treasure’. But the former IBF world minimum weight champ takes the stereotypes in her stride.
Cai Zongju was once asked by a TV interviewer why she chose to be a boxer because ‘you are a girl’ and ‘mommy’s treasure’. But the former IBF world minimum weight champ takes the stereotypes in her stride.
Bob Crowley replaces Michel Poletti, sparking the second chapter of the International Trail Running Association based on technology and independence.
Bob Crowley replaces Michel Poletti, sparking the second chapter of the International Trail Running Association based on technology and independence.
‘Pulling coal carts was about technique, not strength. Boxing is the same,’ recalls Xiong Chaozhong, who laboured for 10 yuan a day before turning pro without a single amateur fight.
‘Pulling coal carts was about technique, not strength. Boxing is the same,’ recalls Xiong Chaozhong, who laboured for 10 yuan a day before turning pro without a single amateur fight.
Lured to Russia on artificially cheap tours, Chinese visitors are shuffled by Chinese guides from one Chinese-owned shop to another to buy overpriced souvenirs. No wonder Chinese-speaking Russian guides aren’t bemoaning their absence amid pandemic.
Lured to Russia on artificially cheap tours, Chinese visitors are shuffled by Chinese guides from one Chinese-owned shop to another to buy overpriced souvenirs. No wonder Chinese-speaking Russian guides aren’t bemoaning their absence amid pandemic.
Iranian MMA fighter posts insulting pictures and comments on Instagram aimed at UFC bantamweight contender Petr Yan, who has a paternal Chinese grandfather.
Iranian MMA fighter posts insulting pictures and comments on Instagram aimed at UFC bantamweight contender Petr Yan, who has a paternal Chinese grandfather.
The Ultra-Trail World Tour serves Europe, and more recently Asia, but Spartan believes the Americas have been neglected and athletes deserve rewards
The Ultra-Trail World Tour serves Europe, and more recently Asia, but Spartan believes the Americas have been neglected and athletes deserve rewards
Four of the five UTMB events are now in Asia as the organisation adds one more to the growing list of races
Four of the five UTMB events are now in Asia as the organisation adds one more to the growing list of races
Men and women are running together as customs relax within running clubs and the first trail race comes to the conservative nation.
Men and women are running together as customs relax within running clubs and the first trail race comes to the conservative nation.
Blood in leeches’ stomachs contains DNA that shows the diversity of wildlife in a certain area. This information can be used to combat the illegal wildlife trade, and thus reduce animal-to-human infection risks.
Blood in leeches’ stomachs contains DNA that shows the diversity of wildlife in a certain area. This information can be used to combat the illegal wildlife trade, and thus reduce animal-to-human infection risks.
When a runner went viral for completing 50km around his flat, to avoid to virus, another stepped up to the plate and doubled the distance.
When a runner went viral for completing 50km around his flat, to avoid to virus, another stepped up to the plate and doubled the distance.
You Peiquan adheres to traditional ethics by keeping his spirit and vigour hidden until he strikes during race time.
You Peiquan adheres to traditional ethics by keeping his spirit and vigour hidden until he strikes during race time.
The coronavirus means runners are unable or unwilling to venture outdoors, but it will not stop China’s love or running, even if they have to do it indoors.
The coronavirus means runners are unable or unwilling to venture outdoors, but it will not stop China’s love or running, even if they have to do it indoors.
Wen Xu decides the best way to highlight climate change is by exploring affected places after falling through thin ice to a lake that should not have been there.
Wen Xu decides the best way to highlight climate change is by exploring affected places after falling through thin ice to a lake that should not have been there.
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