Novokuznetsk is preparing to host the federal stage of a prestigious competition. Thirteen gas cutters will represent Altai Territory, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Zabaykalsky Territory, Khabarovsk Territory, Amur region, Sverdlovsk region, Nizhny Novgorod region, Lipetsk region, Irkutsk region, Novosibirsk region, and Kemerovo region – a total of 12 regions. These are the best masters of their trade – winners of the regional stages of the "Best in Profession" competition as well as the industry‑specific competitions held in the regions under the auspices of SGMK.
The average age of the competitors is 36. Some came to the profession intentionally, others by chance, still others due to family circumstances or their parents' decision. But all have become top‑tier professionals.
"I became a flame-cutting torch operator by accident," says Gulzhigit Kalbaev, a flame-cutting torch operator at Vtormet LLC from Krasnoyarsk Territory. "A friend called me for some side work. 'Help me out,' he said. 'There's scrap metal that needs cutting.' I thought I'd just be using an angle grinder – but when I got there, the sheet was a finger thick. The grinder broke after the first meter. I had to haul the oxygen and propane tanks. An old‑timer who ran the show showed me how to light the torch: 'Watch – here's the spark, and now slowly squeeze.' I didn't get it right at first – it would smoke, then go out. But once I found the right tilt angle and got a steady stream going, I understood the principle: it's like drawing – only with fire."
The profession, while demanding, is also creative. Flame-cutting torch operators are not just workers – they are true artists who hold a red‑hot torch instead of a brush. There's room for inspiration and talent here.
Vyacheslav Chernenko has discovered this hidden poetry of fire and metal. At the federal stage, he will represent Vtormet LLC from Novosibirsk region.
"My parents sent me to study welding," Vyacheslav recalls. "But once I started, I couldn't stop. The sparks flying out – like fireworks – are mesmerizing. It's living, breathing work, and a skill that is always in demand. I'm grateful to my parents for their decision – it led me to what I love."
Another competitor who has stayed true to his profession is Roman Chasovnikov, a flame-cutting torch operator at Vtormet TK LLC from Kuzbass. He considers his journey – from childhood curiosity about metal to a lifelong career – to be the right path. After military service, he honed his skills through private orders, working from morning till night. While others went home, he studied how refractory alloys behave under the torch and learned to tame the flame so that the cut on the metal would be perfectly smooth – like glass – without a single blister or burr.
"There's no room for rushing in my work – but there is precise calculation and a deep understanding of the physics behind the process," says the seasoned flame-cutting torch operator. "When I take on a job, the seam follows the marking line exactly, the geometry of the part remains flawless, and tolerances are reduced to an absolute minimum. To me, metal is a material that demands respect – not brute force."
In just a few days, we will be able to witness the artistry of these masters at the competition venue – they have tamed fire and transformed a tough craft into a true art form.
We wish the competitors an exciting contest and a brilliant victory! And we will continue to introduce you to the best flame-cutting torch operators of Russia.