Ukrainian Divers Triumph at the 2026 World Cup
Oleksiy Sereda and Mark Hrytsenko of Ukraine claimed silver in the men’s synchronized 10-meter platform event at the 2026 Diving World Cup Super Final. Their achievement highlights the dedication and skill that have propelled them onto the global stage, marking another milestone for Ukrainian diving.
Competition Breakdown
The Ukrainian duo entered the top three after the third round, having started in fourth place and briefly dropped to fifth following their second dive. However, they rallied in the fourth and sixth rounds, earning 79.92 points for a dive with a 3.7 difficulty factor and another 79.92 points for a dive with a 3.6 difficulty factor. In the fifth round, they scored 71.40 points for a reverse dive with a pike and 3.5 twists.
China’s Renjie Zhao and Zhihao Yan took first place with 448.68 points. Hrytsenko and Sereda finished second at 404.28, while Mexico’s Kevin Berlin Reyes and Randal Villars Valdes secured bronze with 403.02. This marks the Ukrainians’ second consecutive podium in the men’s synchronized 10-meter event at the Super Final, following their third-place finish in Beijing last season.
On the first day of the Super Final, a mixed team event will feature Sereda alongside Kyrylo Boliukh, Kseniya Baylo, and Kseniya Bochek. Notably, Ukrainian divers earned five medals at the USA Cup in Fort Lauderdale, where the Sereda-Hrytsenko pair also won the 10-meter platform event.
This strong performance underscores the high caliber and international competitiveness of Ukraine’s diving program. With growing attention on these athletes after their World Cup success, the sport may see increased development back home. The upcoming mixed team event offers another chance for the squad to showcase its depth and talent.
As Ukrainian athletes continue to excel on the international stage, their achievements in other disciplines are equally noteworthy. Recently, the Ukrainian team showcased their talent at the Acrobatic Rock 'n' Roll World Cup, where they secured both silver and bronze medals. This growing success across various sports highlights the strength and potential of Ukraine's athletic programs.