Oksana Livach: Career and Achievements
Oksana Livach, a 21-year-old Ukrainian wrestler competing in the 50 kg weight class, hails from the town of Dolyna in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. Despite her youth, she made her World Championship debut at age 20, securing a bronze medal. The following year, at 21, she added another world bronze and claimed gold at the European Championships.
In total, Livach has won three European Championship titles, with her first victory in 2019 and the most recent two in 2025 and 2026.
Sports Journey and Challenges
Livach began her athletic career with swimming before transitioning to wrestling. Her father, a former wrestler who became a coach, and her mother, also an athlete, heavily influenced her path. Her sister’s involvement in wrestling further solidified her choice. She recalls:
“I want to do wrestling” — Oksana Livach
She successfully navigated the move from youth and junior levels to senior competition, though it was far from easy.
On the international stage, Livach has faced formidable opponents. She identifies her primary challenge as:
“my main challenge is the Asian girls” — Oksana Livach
Despite these hurdles, she has achieved notable success. She notes that “every European triumph was hard-earned.” In 2018, she won a world bronze medal, but has since struggled to replicate that success on the global level. “It feels like I prepare diligently every year, train hard, but the medals aren’t there,” she shares.
At the 2021 and 2024 Olympics, she finished in fifth place. During the 2024 Games, she lost to Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat in the quarterfinals, one of the most painful defeats of her career. Looking ahead, Livach knows that only the top three finishers at the 2027 World Championships will secure a spot for the 2028 Olympics, which fuels her motivation to keep pushing.
After the 2024 Olympics, Livach became the executive director of the Ivano-Frankivsk Wrestling Federation. Ukrainian female wrestlers have won the European Championship team standings for four consecutive years, highlighting the strength of women’s wrestling in Ukraine. Livach believes that “it’s true that in women’s wrestling, athletes behave more aggressively during matches than in men’s.”
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Livach was in Lviv recovering from knee surgery, while the national team was based in Kyiv. She has also shared her emotional struggles when facing opponents from aggressor countries at international competitions, explaining how she mentally prepares for such bouts.
Livach has many competitions ahead and is determined to achieve her sporting goals. She also aims to mentor promising young wrestlers like Aida Kerimova and Viktoriia Slobodeniuk. She emphasizes that “first of all, it’s long-term preparation,” and notes that new talent is emerging in her weight class in Ukraine. Livach is confident she can overcome all obstacles and reach new heights in her career.
Oksana Livach stands out as a young, talented athlete who has already made a significant mark internationally despite numerous challenges. Her achievements at European and World Championships reflect the high level of women’s wrestling in Ukraine and the country’s potential in the sport. Given her ambition and drive, she is expected to continue impressing at competitions and inspire the next generation of female wrestlers.
As Oksana Livach continues to face tough competition on the mat, her journey mirrors that of other elite athletes striving for greatness. For instance, Ukrainian tennis player who recently made headlines with her poignant remarks following a significant defeat at the French Open, highlighting the emotional toll of high-stakes sports. To explore her powerful statement and the challenges faced by athletes in major tournaments, read more here.