A group eight Ukrainian athletesPeople who have disabilities due to The war between Russia and Ukraine, They broke the world power record last Sunday. Seven of them have been fragmented with prosthetics that reflect the hardness of the front. This test was done on the last day. Arnold Classic EuropeAn event at Caja Mágica in Madrid named after actor, politician and bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It is a competitive international sports festival attended by hundreds of athletes every year. get world brands. Ukrainian participants managed to break the world record Rope four trucks with a total weight of 35 tons.
‘Castles of Ukraine’ is a competition that transcends borders
‘Strong Ukraine‘It was the first sports competition adapted for veteran and disabled athletes who suffered serious injuries and wounds during the war. They participated in this competition The eight strongest athletes were selected among more than 400 athletesto break the current power record in the event Arnold Classic EuropeThis year it was held in the capital of Spain.
These eight athletes and former warriors are united under this name. ‘Castles of Ukraine’. The aim is to draw attention to the problem of sports rehabilitation in athletes who are victims of war, Your right to participate in international competitions.
“This is very motivating, the best medicine for our recovery because No one on the planet has achieved this, only us“explained Artem MarchenkoOne of the athletes who broke the world record SPAIN NEWSPAPER, Member of the Prensa Ibérica group.
The story behind the Ukrainian team
The Ukrainian team that broke the world power record consists of the following names (from left to right):
- Artem Pohoriliy (from Poltava), senior soldier of the Ground Forces Armed Forces of UkraineInjured in his left lower extremity during a fire in the Donetsk region.
- V’yacheslav Tsyukh (from Kiev), First Rank captain of the Armed Engineering Forces, suffered a mine explosion and lost his life. right extremity injury less than.
- Yevhen Smaga (from Chernihiv), sergeant of the 1st tank brigade Armed Forces of Ukrainesuffering injuries to both lower extremitiesDuring the defense of the city of Chernihiv.
- Vladyslav Shatilo (from Chernihiv), 105th member Border Unit of the State Border ServiceA person who lost his left lower extremity as a result of a mine explosion in the Donetsk region.
- Artem Marchenko (from Sumy), Staff Sergeant Ground troops of the Armed Forces of UkraineHe suffered fractures to his right upper extremity during a shooting attack in the Donetsk region.
- Oleksandr Shvachka (from Kiev), who lost his left lower limb after the accident tank explosion In the battle of Makarov.
- Mykhailo Drobotenko (from Kropivnytskyi), sergeant Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces The 57th from Ukraine was injured in both lower extremities during a reconnaissance mission in the Lugansk region.
- Denis Barchuk (de Brovari), petty officer Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and that he suffered a machine gun wound to his lower extremity during a bombing.
willing to take it
“I’m sure we will get it” said Artem Marchenko, before testing begins. The Ukrainian people thought the same. “We will support them to break the record”said one follower.
The athletes were nervous but They believed they could achieve their goalsThey have been training since their arrival in Madrid on October 11, the day before the start of the Arnold Classic Europe.
Under the screams of the Ukrainian people, the athletes warmed up, hugged each other and tried to combine all their strength to achieve something unique. Eight people stood on the platforms they leaned on. pull a rope that unites them four 35-ton trucks, Moving approximately 17 meters in 35 seconds.
“I had a lot of inner feelings during the test, the rope was really heavy and we were just focused on the track. I couldn’t hear anything except my team“explained Marchenko After breaking the world power record.
a private public
After achieving the record athletes came to the publicwas moved a few meters away from the track for security reasons. There are dozens of Ukrainians there They were waiting for them with their country’s flags while singing the National Anthem..
“It’s incredible to see the strength they have despite everything they’ve been through. On top of that, they continue to fight to show how strong our country is and how far we can go.“said a Ukrainian follower at the end of the test. Last Sunday, Madrid was full of voices wanting to tell their bitter truths.
These eight ‘war veterans’ not only broke the world record for strength, but also denial with which Ukrainian athletes They found each other after suffering the consequences of war. Athletes hope this happens The first step to participating in international competitions.