Ukrainian kickboxing champion killed in Russian invasion
22-year-old Ukrainian kickboxer Yevhen Zvonok, a world silver-medallist, was killed in Russian air strikes on Chernihiv last week.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to yield casualties linked to the world of sport. According to reports in Ukraine, the Ukrainian kickboxer Yevhen Zvonok, 22, has been killed as a result of Russian air strikes on Chernihiv, a city among the most heavily bombarded in the country.
Zvonok's body found on Monday
Zvonok, a Ukrainian champion and world silver-medallist, had decided to join the Ukrainian armed forces defending the country against the Russian invasion, which began on 24 February.
On 3 March, he fell victim to Russian strikes on Chernihiv, although his body was not found among the rubble of a school until Monday this week.
Zvonok "was only just beginning his career" - trainer
Speaking to Suspilne, Zvonok’s friend and trainer Sergey Lysyuk said: “He was only just beginning his career in sport. Last year he came second at the Kickboxing World Cup and was Ukrainian champion.
“We were getting ready to compete at international competitions, and at the end of March he had the Ukrainian championship coming up in Odessa.”
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