For the first time in history, Ukraine's karate team claimed first place in the overall medal standings at the European Championship for cadets, juniors, and youth (U21) held in Limassol, Cyprus. This was reported by the Ukrainian Karate Federation.
Ukrainian athletes secured 13 medals: 4 gold, 7 silver, and 2 bronze. The competition, which took place from February 6 to 8, featured 1276 young athletes from 47 countries, including 36 from Ukraine.
European champions included the youngest member of the Ukrainian team, 14-year-old Mark Dorosh, Sofia Elyi, Maxim Vechkanov – World Champion 2024 and European Champion 2025, as well as the decorated Daria Bulai.
Gold medals:
- Mark Dorosh (-52 kg, cadets)
- Sofia Elyi (-54 kg, cadets)
- Maxim Vechkanov (-55 kg, juniors)
- Daria Bulai (84+ kg, U21)
Silver medals:
- Hanna Maistreko (-47 kg, cadets)
- Diana Popova (-61 kg, cadets)
- Veronika Kotenko (-48 kg, juniors)
- Ulyana Baranova (-66 kg, juniors)
- Serhiy Stankov (-68 kg, juniors)
- Vladislav Rudenko (76+ kg, juniors)
- Oleksandr Kozylyan (84+ kg, U21)
Bronze medals:
- Maria Hness (-53 kg, juniors)
- Georgiy Pitsul (-75 kg, U21)
Ukraine's team matched last year's record for the number of medals but surpassed it in quality. In the overall standings, the "blue and yellow" team outperformed the teams from Slovakia (4-0-4) and Italy (3-6-6).
Earlier, it was reported that Ukrainian European Champion Sofia Elyi declined a joint photo with a Russian opponent she defeated in the finals.