Andriy Protsenko, the Ukrainian athlete fled his country due to the Russian invasion and managed to continue training in his shelter.
Ukrainian athletics makes itself felt in the Eugenio’s world, this week. Their representatives are receiving solidarity from their colleagues around the world. and although they had to prepare in difficult conditions -whether he is fleeing the Russian invasion, or even in the occupied territories- the elite of Ukrainian athletics lives up to the great tradition that this sport has in his country (no less than super champions of the sprinter class have emerged there Valery Borzovthe pole vault Sergei Bubka or the host Vladimir Kotsto name a few).
The greatest Ukrainian hope in Eugene they focused Yaroslava Mahuchikha young high jump specialist who is emerging as the great figure of this discipline with his continuous tournaments over 2 meters and now he had to “settle” for the silver medal, in a close duel with the Australian Patterson (both over 2.02 m, while the other Ukrainian, Irina Gerashenko) was fourth. mahuchikh He is one of the figures who emerged at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games, where he dazzled with his style and physical abilities.
After breaking the junior world record, he quickly established himself in the top category and last March won the indoor world titlein Belgrade. Upon arrival a Eugene She was energetic in defending her country. “against Russian invaders and assassins“, he has declared.
Yaroslava Mahuchikh left his mark at the Eugene World Cup. Photo: AP
To her silver medal in women’s high jump was added that which Andriy Protsenko – perhaps surprisingly – he succeeded in the same test among men, thus completing a long career in this discipline at an international level: he had made his debut in these Championships in Berlin (2009) even if he never reached the podium.
“He is a brave competitor and we are all in solidarity with him”, Declared the Italian Gianmarco Tamberiwho showed a Ukrainian flag and fought with Protsenko through that bronze they both passed the rod 2.33 meters. The victory went to Qatar Mutham Essa Barshim (third time), the silver medal for the Koreans Songyoek and Protsenko managed to beat Tamberi for bronze.
Protsenko, the Ukrainian athlete who took refuge in a secret place and won the silver medal at the Eugene World Championships.
If a year ago Barshim and Tamberi starred in one of the memorable moments of the Tokyo Olympics, when they shared the gold– Now the same emotion was experienced from Protsenko’s podium. “We are experiencing a terrible situation“, She said.
“I’m afraid it may take a long time (before it’s possible to go home), but I ask the world to support Ukraine. We Ukrainians are strong and united. I will try to help Ukraine as much as possible. “
The Ukrainian athlete who was able to continue his sports career despite everything he experienced with the Russian invasion.
When Putin ordered the military invasion of Ukraine, Protsenko left his hometown, Chersontogether with his wife Katerina and their two daughters: Sofía (5 years) and Polina (9 months). In a village whose name she didn’t reveal, improvised a place to continue training– He made homemade fences with materials from his garden, did weightlifting with abandoned car tires, and even added speed and gymnastic exercises on a field.
Andriy Protsenko’s training while sheltering from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“The main thing was to find the motivation to train, but luckily I succeeded“, I count. He added: “I was in a relatively safe place, but when the Russian army got close we knew it was time to leave“. With the support of the Ukrainian Federation of Athletics and the World of Athletics, he was able to move to Portugal and Spain, whose federations assisted him.
Protsenko’s family is now in France and they will all meet to settle down with the Ukrainian team in Poland: they are about to prepare for the European Championship in Monaco.
Andriy Protsenko improvised a training circuit in the village where he took refuge with his family.
However, Protsenko had an important background in high jump he hadn’t reached a podium in the outdoor world. He did it at the Indoor World Championships in Sopot (2014) where he finished second, as well as at the European Championships in Zurich the same year: and his personal best of 2.40 meters positioned him as the sixth best jumper in history, a list that the legendary Cuban athlete Javier Sotomayor has commanded for several decades. Protsenko was also fourth at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where his compatriot Bogdan Bondarenko was able to take the bronze.
“He is a champion”, has now been praised by three-time world champion Barshim. “He struggled, despite everything he had been through. He introduced himself and produced a performance. It wasn’t easy for him, but he’s up here, a medal, you have to give it to him.“.
“He is a champion”, the definition of other athletes on the Ukrainian.
luigi vinker
Source: Clarin