Valor of the Invincible. First inclusive strongman competitions among military personnel and veterans were held in Ternopil supported by the Foundation
115 strongmen came to Ternopil to participate in the inclusive competition “Valor of the Invincible” – military personnel and veterans from various cities of Ukraine: Kharkiv, Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, and Ivano-Frankivsk.
Veterans competed in rowing on simulators, bench presses, aero bikes, and kettlebell snatch. Vasyl Virastiuk, the world strongman champion, was the main judge of the competition. This day proved that our defenders can be role models not only on the battlefield but also in sports competitions.
Serhiy Koniushok, president of the Strongman Federation of Ukraine NGO:
— Sport is the best and most accessible tool for a veteran to return to a social life! The main thing a veteran needs after all the horrors of war is to be honored and recognized. We create an atmosphere of support and admiration for an unbending spirit during our inclusive competitions for veterans. Young servicemen and spectators inspire veterans with their genuine support, while communication in the circle of like-minded people gives the veteran a sense of unity. We always receive a lot of messages from veterans describing the great changes they experience after participating in the events following our competitions. We work for such feedback!
The sports event was held by MHP in cooperation with the Strongman Federation of Ukraine NGO within the MHP Poruch veterans’ reintegration program supported by the Ternopil City Council and the MHP-Gromadi Charitable Foundation. Ternopil city media “20 Minutes” was the main information partner of the event.
Viktor Koriahin, director of the Western Hub Group of the MHP:
– We at MHP see our mission as becoming a reliable domestic front for defenders. Therefore, we regularly help military personnel, veterans, and their families, including by supporting such events. We ensure aid within the MHP Poruch corporate program. Our veteran employees who have returned and continued their work also participated in the competition. We supported them when they were serving with the armed forces, and we continue to help them now – with physical and mental rehabilitation, a comprehensive return to civilian life, and we also create new jobs, if necessary.
The event was held within the MHP Poruch program, which has been implemented by MHP for more than a year supported by the MHP-Gromadi Charitable Foundation. Its goal is comprehensive support for military personnel, veterans, and their families. Currently, this program is focused on promoting the development of veteran facilities and communities. Last year, within the national social initiatives competition “Time to act, Ukraine!”, the Foundation supported the establishment of 16 facilities in Kyiv, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, and Khmelnytskyi regions. In 2024, 4 “Welcome Among Fellows” headquarters were opened in cooperation with the Union of Volunteers NGO in the Lviv region: Zhovkva, Zolochiv, Rudky, Novyi Kalyniv. Apart from that, the Foundation organizes charity races in support of military personnel, fishing, and recreation for veteran families, rehabilitation trips, support groups, as well as other activities to help veterans reintegrate into civilian life.
Pavlo Moroz, Director of the Corporate Social Responsibility Department, MHP;
— Such events as “Valor of the Invincible” are an important component of the MHP Poruch defenders’ reintegration program implemented by MHP. Society should be ready for the fact that veterans return with their views of the community and the Ukrainian state development. These will be new Ukrainian senses and accents to be taken into account and supported. Even today, our military personnel and veterans show the whole world Ukrainian unity, unbending spirit, strength, invincibility, and indomitability.
At the award ceremony, the strongmen who won in their athletic disciplines and 60 categories received medals and gifts.
Oleksiy Demkiv, competition participant, employee of the Ridny Kray Branch, Western Hub of the MHP
– At the competition, I did the bench press exercise with a barbell weighing 60 kilograms. I did 21 repetitions, which is less than I did during my training though I still ranked third in my category, which made me very happy. However, of course, these competitions are not about results and medals. There were many fellows with whom we communicated and just had a rest. Sport helps us to adapt to civilian life and to reintegrate into society. The competition left only positive emotions!
In general, the competition participants had an eventful program in Ternopil. They visited one of the city hospitals and supported the wounded military who underwent treatment there.
Serhiy Nadal, the Mayor of Ternopil:
– I sincerely welcome the best of the Ukrainian nation, our invincible heroes, in Ternopil. “Valor of the Invincible” goes beyond traditional competitions as its main priority is not medals or qualifying standards but support and team spirit. Let your example be a model of unbending spirit and determination for all Ukrainians.
The competition organizers also held a boat tour for the veterans on the picturesque Ternopil Pond. The day before, the Super Fileo brand organized a barbecue for military personnel and veterans. Super Fileo is a chicken brand from the MHP family of brands, which main product is thigh fillet. The brand’s product range also includes thigh meat, thigh fillet, thigh fillet pieces, as well as thigh fillet medallions.