In Kyiv, a two-day nationwide karate tournament was held in support of the active operations units of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (HUR).
The all-Ukrainian karate competitions have become the 16th tournament in the history of Ukrainian karate and the first since the start of the full-scale invasion.
The event gathered a record number of more than 1,200 participants from all regions of Ukraine, representing 50 clubs.
Ukrinform reveals.
This time, the tournament was held in support of the active operations units of the HUR MoD.
“The karate community closely overlaps with Ukraine’s Defence Forces. In particular, many of our athletes and coaches serve in the HUR MoD and are actively involved in the defence of the country. That is why we dedicated this tournament specifically to supporting these units, to which we provide comprehensive assistance. It also creates an opportunity to physically, psychologically, and patriotically educate our youth,” said Serhii Levchuk, honorary president of the Ukrainian Karate Federation and head of the competition’s organizing committee.
The initiative of the Ukrainian Karate Federation was actively supported by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
“A large number of athletes from this federation serve in the HUR MoD active operations units. They carry out extremely difficult tasks very effectively and actively, operating in the most dangerous directions. We are always ready to support them. It is also about fostering a patriotic spirit among our youth, who will become a strong foundation for a new Ukrainian nation,” said HUR representative Yevhen Yerin.
A serviceman with the call sign “Kapelan” from the HUR MoD active operations unit said that at this tournament he is primarily remembering his fallen comrades.
“This is dedicated to the memory of our brothers who gave their lives for the homeland, and for us it is a great honour to be here. I practice mixed martial arts myself, and when I studied at a military lyceum, we had a karate section, so it is very close to me. My heart simply heals when I see our youth here,” said a fighter from “Kraken.”
Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman and Hero of Ukraine Artem Rezonov, who served as executive director of the Ukrainian Karate Federation before the full-scale invasion, noted that this tournament exceeded all expectations.
“I started at this tournament as an athlete, continued as a coach, and later became a co-organiser. These competitions have always been among the top tournaments in Ukraine, and they continue to maintain their reputation despite the difficult conditions in the country. This tournament brought together more than a thousand participants, which is an indicator of a high level,” Rezonov emphasised.
The nationwide karate tournament for children and adults in support of the active operations units of the HUR MoD was organised by the Ukrainian Karate Federation with the support of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
As reported by Ukrinform, a mixed martial arts tournament titled “Idu na Vy. Under the Sign of the Lion” was held in Lviv, featuring 24 fighters from different regions of Ukraine, including military personnel, civilian athletes, and adaptive athletes.
