Four Veterans from Rivne Region Secure Four Gold Medals at World Military Strongman Championship

World Military Strongman Championship Highlights

According to Рубрика: At the World Military Strongman Championship held on October 9–10, 2026, in Riga, Latvia, four veterans from the Rivne region of Ukraine claimed four gold medals. The champions representing their categories were Volodymyr Klymov, Pavlo Korytnyuk, Dmytro Svyrydon, and Yevhen Fedoseyenko. They competed against athletes from the United States, Brazil, Germany, France, Georgia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

All four athletes are members of the Rivne-based veterans' sports club 'Impossible Is Nothing.' Volodymyr Klymov has served in the military since 2007 and has been engaged in combat operations since 2014. In March 2022, during fighting in the Kyiv region, he suffered a severe spinal injury. Following extensive treatment and rehabilitation, Klymov returned to competitive sports, earning accolades at the Strong Spirit's Games and the European Championship.

Veterans’ Individual Achievements

• Pavlo Korytnyuk: Crowned Ukraine’s war veterans champion in 2026 after sustaining serious injuries in Donetsk in 2022. He has since embraced adaptive sports, focusing on para powerlifting and strongman competitions.
• Dmytro Svyrydon: A member of the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade and a recognized Master of Sports in arm wrestling in Ukraine. In May 2026, he won two gold medals at the European Veterans Championship held in Georgia.
• Yevhen Fedoseyenko: Served in the 14th Separate Rifle Battalion and suffered a severe shrapnel spinal injury defending Bakhmut in 2023. After recovery, he took up adaptive sports and actively competes in national and international events.

Earlier in May 2026, Klymov, Svyrydon, and Fedoseyenko also earned gold medals at the European Strongman Championship in Georgia. In September 2026, Klymov and Korytnyuk delivered strong performances at the international Strong Spirit's Games in Austria.

“Four veterans from Rivne return from Latvia with world championship gold,” said Oleksandr Koval.

These victories highlight the veterans' resilience and commitment to sport, forged through the hardships of frontline service. Meanwhile, in Berdychiv, Zhytomyr region, the final stage of the nationwide 'Strong Ukraine' competition gathered 142 war veterans and service members.

Despite these notable accomplishments, the government’s 'Veteran Sport' program will not commence in October 2026 as initially planned. Instead, it is set to launch in 2027 with a revamped funding model aimed at sustainable support.

The veterans’ international success not only demonstrates their unwavering determination but also promotes adaptive sports as a vital avenue for post-service rehabilitation and achievement. The upcoming 'Veteran Sport' initiative promises to play a crucial role in fostering athletic careers and well-being among Ukraine’s veteran community.

The success of these veterans highlights the growing focus on adaptive sports within Ukraine, driven by government support and regional initiatives. To learn more about how veteran sports are being nurtured through various competitions and funding efforts, read about the ongoing developments in the promotion of veteran athletics in Ukraine.