Ukrainian Amputee Veterans Conquer HYROX in Valencia, Demonstrating Resilience and Hope

KYIV, Ukraine — Since losing both legs, Dmytro Bykhovchenko has become a meticulous planner, carefully mapping out every detail of his daily life.

He maps out the best routes for each journey, arranges access to vehicles, and ensures that ramps and handrails are available wherever he goes, all arranged well in advance.

This month, the 30‑year‑old completed his most ambitious plan yet, competing in a grueling international fitness race, HYROX, in Valencia, Spain, alongside fellow Ukrainian war veterans.

HYROX blends eight 1‑kilometer runs with eight demanding workouts such as sled pushes, rowing, weighted carries and sandbag lunges. Amputee athletes took part in the event’s disabled category.

He completed the course as scheduled, navigating the track in his wheelchair and performing floor exercises after each segment.

“Sport just makes my days easier,” he told The Associated Press in an interview. “Mentally and morally, it really helps relieve my head, not to think about the bad things and generally look at life more positively.”

Three years ago, during the Battle of Avdiivka, a Russian drone dropped an explosive into his trench, costing him both legs. Intense combat delayed his evacuation for hours.

For Bykhovchenko and his teammates, who include veterans with multiple amputations, finishing the race represented a major step in their physical and psychological recovery. Their achievement also underscored the resilience of a nation enduring more than four and a half years of conflict.

“It means a lot to be here and show the world what a veteran of the Russia-Ukraine war is,” endurance athlete and team member Oleh Tserkovnyy said. “We want our actions to inspire the world.”

After his discharge, Tserkovnyy devoted his efforts to helping veterans cope with severe injuries. In Valencia, he supported Bykhovchenko, offering encouragement as his teammate completed each circuit.

Several team members were newcomers to organized sport and relied on volunteer trainers who spent long hours guiding them toward fitness.

Yasia Shandrii, a Kyiv‑based fitness trainer, prepared Bykhovchenko for the competition.

“The athletes in our group have a wide range of amputations – double lower‑limb amputations, single‑leg amputations, high arm amputations, and below‑the‑knee amputations,” Shandrii said.

Bykhovchenko’s training partner, Oleksandr Dashko, who lost his left leg in combat, noted that sport offers a welcome escape from the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“Every gathering with friends revolves around the war; the news on social media is dominated by it; the conflict is everywhere,” he said. “When I’m engaged in sports, especially during and after rigorous training sessions lasting several hours, I can forget the war for a while.”

AP writer Derek Gatopoulos in Kyiv, Ukraine contributed to this report

Source link