Students of Sumy branch of KhNUIA Dmytro KOTOV and Kirill KRUPSKYI took part in the Ukrainian Sumo Championship among youth and adults (under 21 and 23, men/women), which was held in Volyn. They demonstrated a high level of skill and won prizes in their age categories. Thanks to this, the guys became part of the Ukrainian national team for the European Championship. This achievement is not only their personal success, but also the result of the joint work of coaches Serhii HEKAL, Vladyslav VIUN, as well as the team of Sumy city youth school “Kolos” and Sumy branch of KhNUIA.

Dmytro KOTOV spoke about his first coach: “I dedicated my medals from the Ukrainian U21 and U23 championships to the bright memory of the fallen soldier – Pavlo Pavlovych Bessarab (call sign “BALO”), who died on January 22, 2025 while performing a combat mission. For me, Pal Palych, as I have called him since childhood, was like a father. He taught me never to give up, to become better every day and to strive for self-development not only physically, but also spiritually. My coach was a true example of a Man and a Warrior – strong in spirit, devoted to his cause and his students. He sincerely loved his home, his land, his country.”