Sports for Reintegration: Inclusive Competitions for Military Personnel and Veterans Held in Cherkasy
The inclusive competition ‘Victory of the Invincibles’ took place in Cherkasy, featuring 112 war veterans and military personnel from across Ukraine. Participants competed in four sports: bench press, rowing on a simulator, aerobike, and kettlebell jerk.
The sports event was supported by MHP in collaboration with the public organization “Strongman Federation of Ukraine.” It was part of the “MHP Poruch” military and veterans reintegration program, with additional backing from the “MHP-Gromadi” Charitable Foundation.
Yevhenii Rudenko, a veteran from Kaniv in the Cherkasy region, was one of the first to defend Ukraine against the russian invasion. In April 2014, as part of the 80th Lviv Assault Brigade, he helped liberate Slovyansk and Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region. He held the line in the Luhansk sector, including Lysychansk, Shchastia, and Stanytsia Luhanska. After a serious injury, he lost his right arm. He underwent long-term treatment. Sport, which Yevhenii had been involved in since his youth, played a key role in his rehabilitation.
“It’s a friendly atmosphere here, with many people who have gone through similar experiences. Sports are one of the best methods of rehabilitation. It can be a real lifeline when someone doesn’t know where to turn after the war. I know this from personal experience. Two years after my injury, I spent most of my time in hospitals. Eventually, I began studying, working, and starting a family—I recently had a daughter. My life has really come together. It’s important to help and support those who have just returned from the war and are still trying to find their place in society. Sports can really help with this,” says veteran Yevhenii Rudenko.
Veteran Yurii Yaremenko participated in the ‘Victory of the Invincibles’ competition for the second time.
“In Ternopil, I only competed in one discipline—kettlebell jerking—because I was still figuring things out. In Cherkasy, I’ll be competing in two sports: kettlebell jerking and rowing. I believe these competitions are important because, from my own experience, I know how challenging it can be for many veterans to transition back to civilian life. Sport really helps both mentally and physically. Plus, at these events, you can meet a lot of new, great people,” says veteran Yurii Yaremenko.
As participants say, these events are also crucial for supporting their families.
“I see how happy my wife is that I didn’t give up and am still finding my way. She and the kids are by my side, supporting and inspiring me. For me, participating in these competitions is about rehabilitation, brotherhood, and understanding. It’s a chance to be in a familiar environment with people who make me feel comfortable,” notes Oleksandr Nosenko, a veteran from Cherkasy.
Vasyl Virastiuk, the world strongman champion, was the main judge of the competition.
Serhiy Koniushok, president of the Strongman Federation of Ukraine NGO:
“We are gradually moving away from the model of hosting competitions in Kyiv or other major cities. Our goal is to reach as many veterans as possible, so we hold events every two weeks in different regions. This approach helps us develop a comprehensive sports rehabilitation system for veterans, with established regional centers for the sports veteran movement.”
According to the organizers, veteran camaraderie and sports play a crucial role in helping veterans return to a full life. At the same time, society is being adjusted to better meet their needs.
Tetiana Volochay, head of the Community Development Council at the “MHP-Gromadi” Charitable Foundation, says:
“We support veterans who have returned from combat zones, as well as the families of the deceased and missing. We encourage participation in adapted sports, which play a crucial role in the rehabilitation of our soldiers and their transition to civilian life. Activities boost the spirits of the participants and help them believe in themselves. Additionally, we’re shaping our society to adapt. By holding competitions in densely populated areas, we aim to ensure that people don’t shy away when encountering a veteran.”
Oleksandr Voskoboynik, director of the agricultural enterprise “MHP-Urozhay,” says:
“Our company supports veteran sports through the “MHP Poruch” program for the reintegration of defenders and veterans. It’s a great honor for me to be involved in the competition in Cherkasy. At the local level, we are actively working on veterans’ rehabilitation, reintegration, and social adaptation within our communities. We assist with both legal and psychological services, as well as provide comprehensive medical support. We also promote the development of adaptive sports. I’m confident that these competitions will provide a strong boost and exceptional moral support to veterans from Cherkasy and across Ukraine.”
At the award ceremony, the strongmen who won in their athletic disciplines and 60 categories received medals and gifts. The winners will earn the chance to represent Ukraine in the national team at the international adaptive sports competition ‘Strong Spirit’s Games,’ which will take place in October 2024 as part of the ‘Arnold Classic Europe’ sports festival in Madrid.