Ukraine’s Wrestling Squad Clinches First-Ever Team Gold at European Championships

Oksana Livach’s Emotional Struggle

According to Главком: Three-time European wrestling champion Oksana Livach has opened up about the emotional toll of competing against athletes from aggressor nations. She admitted that these bouts stir up negative feelings, especially after the international wrestling federation decided to let competitors from those countries perform under their own flag and anthem.

'It’s an uncomfortable situation for us. Clearly, facing them brings up bad emotions,' Livach noted.

Still, the athlete has chosen to leave those emotions off the mat to avoid hindering her performance: 'At first, during such matches, I had such strong negativity that it drained my energy and got in the way. So I decided to keep my feelings off the mat.'

Success on the International Stage

Oksana Livach was in Lviv when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, recovering from knee surgery at the time. While the national team was initially based in Kyiv, they later relocated abroad for safety. Today, Livach has been named Ukraine’s best female athlete of April 2026 by the National Olympic Committee. That same year, she claimed the European Championship title in the 50 kg weight class at the tournament in Tirana, Albania.

Ukraine’s wrestling team topped the medal standings at the 2026 European Championships, bringing home 11 medals-six of them gold. This marks the country’s first-ever victory in the team medal count at a European wrestling championship, as previously they had never finished higher than second place. Narek Budagyan, Livach’s personal coach, was recognized as the best coach of April 2026.

Livach’s triumph and the team’s overall success at the 2026 European Championships represent a significant milestone for Ukrainian sports amid ongoing aggression. The high honors awarded to Livach and her coach underscore the determination of Ukrainian athletes who continue to excel internationally despite adversity. This achievement also highlights a broader trend of Ukrainian sports gaining momentum under challenging political circumstances, helping to boost national morale.

As Oksana Livach continues to shine on the international stage, she faces not only the challenges of competition but also the unique difficulties posed by rival athletes, particularly from Asia. Her insights into the emotional and physical demands of wrestling against such opponents highlight the complexities athletes must navigate. To learn more about the toughest challenges Livach encounters, check out this article on the biggest challenges for Ukrainian wrestlers.