Article by David Istrate – published on Thursday, April 10, 2025 22:13 / Updated Thursday, April 10, 2025 22:14
Yevgeny Melnyk, a 13 -year -old Ukrainian karateka, bronze medalist at a Spanish competition, refused to climb the podium, because the gold medal was conquered by a Russian athlete.
In recent days, Guadalajara, Spain, has hosted an international karate competition, intended for juniors. At the U14 competition, in the category below 45 kilograms, The gold medal was conquered by Igor Grigorev, a Russian, and the bronze returned to Yevgeny Melnyk, an Ukrainian.
Yevgeny Melnyk, a protest gesture: “My father was in Ukraine's armed forces”
The athlete in the third place refused to climb the podium with his opponents and was surprised in a video while leaving the area in which the award ceremony was resolutely.
My Hero Today: 13-Year-Old Ukrainian year melnyk refused handshake and joint photo with Russian in spain. That's Strength pic.twitter.com/lbll9ti0zw
– Maria avdeeva (@maria_avdv) April 9, 2025
Melnyk's gesture, directed against the Russian champion, quickly made the world, being widely acclaimed by Ukrainians. They considered him a symbol of resistance to Russia, who invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Melnyk gave an interview in which he revealed that his father fought in the army and explained that he was disgusted every time he meets opponents from Russia:
“I saw that he was a Russian in the category with me and I didn't want to take a picture with him because it is a war in progress. My father was in Ukraine's armed forces. Now my friends have fathers in the army. When I see Russian enemies performing in Spain or Croatia, I feel very disgusted, especially by the fact that they win, “said the junior, quoted by 1plus1.ua.
“I dream of becoming a world champion and representing Ukraine at the Olympic Games. But even more, I want the war to end and all the children in Ukraine can train in peace, not be afraid of explosions and not to go in shelters“Melnyk added.
Yevgeny Melnyk/Photo: Ukrainian Karate Federation
591 Ukrainian athletes and coaches were killed during the war
According to From-ua.org, the Russian Karate Federation offered a reaction:
“Unfortunately, this is already an ordinary practice of Ukrainian karatists, who do not take pictures on the podium with our athletes. For us there is nothing new.”
According to News.ro, “The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on April 6 that 591 Ukrainian athletes and coaches were killed during the conflict.” In addition, 22 are prisoners and 11 are gone.
