While Ukraine is battling through difficult times right now, Ukrainian athletes are not missing any opportunity to make their country proud. After finishing second in the Beijing Paralympics, now the athletes at World Athletics Indoor Championship are also winning medals for team Ukraine. The most recent entry amongst the winners is high jump athlete Yaroslava Mahuchikh.
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In her brief career so far, the 20-year-old Yaroslava has been an impressive performer. She won a bronze medal at her debut Olympics in Tokyo and she also has a gold medal from the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics under her name.
Yaroslava Mahuchikh won gold at World Athletics Indoor Championship
A couple of days after fleeing from her homeland, the Ukrainian high jumper won gold at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade. One could only fathom how special the moment was for the 20-year-old Yaroslava. After her victory, the champion said, “This medal is for Ukraine, all my country, all my people, all the military. I must protect our country on the track in an international arena.”
She was very emotional and further added,?”Before we went to the field, the only thought in my mind was about Ukraine because too many terrible things have happened there. I even doubted that I could jump at all, but my coach said I must go out and perform with the shape and fitness I had before the start of the Russian invasion.”
Yaroslava’s rival didn’t compete
The Tokyo Olympics gold medalist, Mariya Lasitskene, didn’t compete in the World Athletics Indoor Championships this year due to World Athletics’ ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes. In her absence, Yaroslava made sure she won a gold medal for her country amidst these difficult times. However, her journey towards the World Indoor Championship was not easy.
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She escaped from her homeland a couple of days ago, hid in a cellar, and traveled 2,000km to be at the championship in Belgrade. Many in her shoes would have given up easily, but not Yaroslava.
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The kind of strength she has showcased under such horrible circumstances speaks volumes of her character. She has all the reasons in the world to be proud of her accomplishment and yet she is humble enough to dedicate it to her country.
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