A tragic day for Ukrainian sports
January 6, 2023, became a dark day for Ukrainian sports, as three outstanding individuals passed away on this day.
Deceased athletes
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Viktor Utiuh Zahlada, one of the organizers of the first fan trip of Kyiv's 'Dynamo' in 1980, died on January 7. The farewell will take place at 15:30 at Baikove Cemetery. Viktor Zahlada left a significant mark on the fan movement, and his contribution to the history of the club will be remembered by many fans.
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Andrii Polunin, a former football player, died at the age of 55 after a veterans' match in Lutsk. He played for several Ukrainian and foreign teams, including:
- 'Dnipro'
- 'Kryvbas'
- 'Karpaty'
- 'CSKA'
- 'Nuremberg'
- 'St. Pauli'
- 'Rot Weiss'
Polunin also had 9 matches and 1 goal for the Ukrainian national team, highlighting his significance in the world of football.
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Vitalii Rymaruk, a 26-year-old discus thrower, champion of Ukraine among youth, died at the front while fulfilling his duties as an officer of the 1st Assault Group of the 4th Special Purpose Group 'Omega'. He died in the Pokrovsk direction of the Donetsk region, leaving behind a memory of his sporting career and heroism on the battlefield.
These losses have dealt a heavy blow to the sports community of Ukraine, which continues to endure hardships amid war.
The deaths of Viktor Zahlada, Andrii Polunin, and Vitalii Rymaruk emphasize not only losses in sports but also reflect the overall tragedy faced by Ukraine during the war.
These individuals left a significant mark in their fields, and their memory will live on in the hearts of many. The sports community, which is already suffering from the consequences of war, honors their memory, showing solidarity and support for each other in these difficult times.