The Ukrainian team has won medals at the EUBC U-22 European Boxing Championships in Croatia, with financial and logistical support provided by European boxing federations.
The European Boxing Championships is the first European continental event of the year and involves 13 men’s and 12 women’s divisions.
The Ukrainian men’s boxing team won six medals in total, including two bronze medals, three silver medals, and one gold medal won by Yuriy Zakharieiev in the men’s light middleweight category. The women’s team won three bronze medals and one gold, with Karolina Makhno winning in the middleweight category.
“I really appreciate the help and support of IBA, Ukrainian Boxing Federation and Boxing Federation of Croatia which provided Ukrainian boxers the opportunity to participate in the European Championships,” said gold medallist Yuriy Zakharieiev.
“As everybody knows, we had limited possibilities to prepare for this championship, however, despite these difficulties, I managed to win the gold medal. I am sure I have taken the next step in my boxing career, and I am ready for the new challenges,” he declared.
The boxing community has come together to support the Ukrainian boxing team. The German Boxing Association (DBV), the German Olympic Committee (DOSB), and the city of Heidelberg provided accommodation to the Ukrainian boxing team as well as training facilities.
The Polish Boxing Association (PZB), the European Boxing Confederation (EUBC), the Croatian Boxing Federation, the Italian Boxing Federation and the Bulgarian Boxing Federation also provided support to the Ukrainian team.
This included accommodation, travel assistance, and training facilities. Many team members were at a training camp in Heidelberg, before travelling to Croatia to compete, while others were provided with dedicated transport from the Ukrainian border with Poland.
“The German Boxing Association is glad to support the Ukrainian boxing team during this incomprehensible time and to show our solidarity with the people of Ukraine,” said DBV secretary general Michael Müller.
“We must remain united and strong, to support each other and our universal values, in order to always promote peace and friendship, harmony and unity through boxing,” he added.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) is reportedly continuing to look for solutions to help support the Ukrainian boxing team as its boxers aim to compete in numerous competitions in 2022.
