17-Year-Old Ukrainian Athlete Shows Immense Strength Competing for Country Despite Ongoing Conflict

Published 03/10/2022, 1:41 PM EST

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The 17-year-old Ukrainian racer, Valeriya Sholomitska, is setting an example for the world to watch right now. Despite the ongoing crisis back home, she continues to display sheer bravery and determination at the biggest sporting stage.

The ongoing European crisis has made it extremely difficult for Ukrainian athletes to take part in international sports events. However, bracing through all adversities, coach Olena Borysiuk and Valeriya Sholomitska became the only people representing Ukraine at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships, held in Muscat last week.

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Valeriya Sholomitska and Olena Borysiuk reached World Athletics Championship

Amidst the rising global tensions, the 17-year-old has risen as hope for her people. It was nearly impossible for Valeriya and her coach Olena Borysiuk to take part in the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships. However, with the help of the Ukrainian Athletics Federation and World Athletics, they managed to arrive in contention for the competition.

The 31-year-old Coach, Olena Borysiuk, who is also a temporary guardian for Valeriya, said, “We trained well and we felt good, but on the morning of February 24 it all changed. It changed her life, and it changed my life.”

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Valeriya Sholomitska is a talented young athlete

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In these tough times, Valeriya has shown immense courage by not dwindling from her goal. It was her first appearance in the U20 women’s 10km race walk at Muscat and the champion racer finished fourth in the event. Under the current circumstances and what she has been through, this performance at the world stage is nothing short of a victory.

Valeriya’s coach Olena was happy with her efforts and said, “Now I think it’s a good position because she’s young, first year in juniors, and maybe in Cali (the World U20 Championships will be held in Cali, Colombia in August), if Ukrainian politics is good and maybe there is peace, we will have a good place and a medal.”

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Regardless of the result, the world already hails Valeriya as a true fighter and a champion. Take to the comments to send your best wishes to the athlete as she continues to inspire the world with her heroics.

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Written by:

Saurav Panwar

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Saurav Panwar is a US Sports writer at EssentiallySports. A postgraduate in Media and Communication Studies, he shares a profound love for creative direction and filmmaking. Saurav is also an avid reader and a literature devotee whose fandom spreads from classics to sci-fi, non-fiction, plays, comics, and much more.
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Edited by:

Melroy Fernandes