THESE proud Ukrainian sports activities stars have joined the struggle to save their nation following Russian invasion.
From heavyweight boxing champions to a former Arsenal double-winner, many have raced again residence to defend their homeland.
These embrace the legendary Klitschko brothers, who have taken up arms and have revealed they are “ready to die” in the struggle in opposition to Russian forces.
SunSport rounds up the sportsman turned troopers decided to arise to Vladimir Putin.
Oleksandr Usyk
Slayer of Anthony Joshua and two-weight world champion, Usyk joined the Kyiv Territorial Defence stating his “country and honour” had been extra vital than any struggle in the ring.
.css-16e4f55{margin:16px 0;}.css-1h37p88{background-color:rgba(236,245,247,1);margin:16px 0;}
Read extra on Cheltenham
.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{show:-webkit-inline-box;show:-webkit-inline-flex;show:-ms-inline-flexbox;show:inline-flex;top:auto;-webkit-align-items:heart;-webkit-box-align:heart;-ms-flex-align:heart;align-items:heart;-webkit-align-content:heart;-ms-flex-line-pack:heart;align-content:heart;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:begin;-ms-flex-pack:begin;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}
.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}
Punchestown – New prospects get £45 in FREE BETS with Paddy Power – 18+ T&Cs apply
Gold Cup build-up on closing day of racing after thrilling St Paddy’s Day
Incidentally, he was in the center of negotiations for a mega payday rematch in opposition to Joshua.
But for now, that’s been put on ice as the struggle rumbles on.
Usyk has been vocal about the battle, thanking his compatriots for his or her bravery amidst the bloody chaos.
He stated on social media: “We will rebuild our Ukraine! We will make investments all the funds now we have to restore our lovely, blooming Nenka!
“Dear friends! Once again I want to say to every Ukrainian who stood up for his country. Thank you very much!”
.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px strong #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px strong #dcdddd;}
Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko
As mayor of Kyiv, Vitali, 50, is aware of that the capital is a key goal for the Russians.
He not too long ago urged his fellow residents to “spend time in the bunkers” as the battle intensifies.
During his days in the ring, Vitali was by no means ever knocked down in the ring.
He turned to politics in 2005 after retiring from boxing and is now a servant to his nation.
He informed ITV: “I don’t have another choice. I have to do that. I will be fighting.”
And it’s the identical for youthful brother Wladimir, who enlisted in Ukraine’s reserve military in early February and has publicly pleaded with Russia to finish the struggle.
reigned as heavyweight king for 9 years earlier than dropping his crown to Tyson Fury, 33, in a 2015 upset.
He would return two years later in defeat to Anthony Joshua, 32, and announce his retirement quickly after, snubbing a Las Vegas rematch.
According to experiences, the pair have been added to Putin’s “kill list” which has 24 high-profile Ukrainians on it.
Sergiy Stakhovsky
The Ukrainian tennis ace didn’t know something about army fight.
But that didn’t cease him from returning to Ukraine to assist his nation.
The 36-year-old reached a profession excessive of 31. However, nothing would put together him for this.
“I don’t have the words to describe it,” Stakhovsky informed Eurosport.
“I might by no means think about in my life that it will come to this, that I might be in my residence metropolis patrolling in a home-made vest, with a gun in my fingers.
“I imply, 5 days earlier than the struggle was in Kyiv, and lots of people in American and British intelligence saying that Russia will invade, even then I used to be 100 per cent certain it’s not going to occur.
“I said there was no chance Russia openly would go into war, invade Ukraine – on what pretext? “There is no pretext for it.”
Yuriy Vernydub
Last Autumn, the soccer supervisor defeated Real Madrid with lowly Sheriff Tiraspol.
Now, he’s ready to take on the Russian military.
The 56-year-old, who says “he has no trouble using firearms”, revealed a dialog together with his son spurred him to head to Ukraine.
He informed the BBC: “My son referred to as me at 4:30am and he informed me the Russians attacked us. I knew then that I might return to Ukraine to struggle.
“We flew residence and landed in Iasi, Romania. I then glided by bus to Tiraspol, in Transnistria, with the remainder of the crew on Friday night and left for Ukraine very first thing on Saturday morning. I enrolled on Sunday.
“It took 11 hours from Tiraspol to my home in Ukraine, travelling via Odessa, then through Kirovgrad, Kryvyy Rih and then Zaporoje, but I can’t say it was difficult.”
Vasiliy Lomachenko
Like nice pal Usyk, light-weight boxer Lomachenko is supporting his nation throughout this tough time.
He was final seen holding a M16 with Ukrainian media reporting he had joined the Belgorod-Dniester Terror Defence Battalion.
The masterful southpaw, 34, is one in every of the biggest beginner boxers of all time, leaving the unpaid ranks with a file of 396-1 and two Olympic gold medals.
It noticed him quick tracked as an expert like by no means seen earlier than and Lomachenko, who is married to Olena with two children, grew to become a three-division champ in simply 12 fights.
Boxing promoter Bob Arum referred to as Loma an actual hero for going again residence to defend his nation.
He nonetheless needs to face off in opposition to undisputed light-weight champion George Kambosos Jr. in June too.
Dmytro Pidruchny
A biathlete, who took half in the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Olympic Games, Pidruchny joined the Ukrainian National Guard and ditched the season.
His purpose was to defend his parental residence from Russian forces.
He additionally took to social media to ask for donations for the Ukrainian military, assist from NATO and different international locations, and revealed his ideas on sport and politics.
He wrote: “Don’t tell me sport is out of politics. It’s connected! Soldiers and civilians of my homeland are dying as you read this. Please don’t stand aside, please.”
He added: “I’ll be staying in Ukraine to help protect our homes and families.”
Oleg Luzhny
Nicknamed ‘The Horse’ throughout his enjoying days, Luzhny’s athleticism is required on the front strains, which is the place he revealed he’s.
The former Arsenal defender, who received the FA Cup and Premier League with the Gunners, is a part of the Territorial Defence Force, placing his managerial aspirations to one aspect for the motherland.
“Like all devoted Ukrainians, now I’m in Ukraine, with all our people defending our motherland. I joined the Territorial Defence Force,” he confirmed to the Mirror.
“The state of affairs may be very tense, the siren sounds three or 4 instances a day, additionally at evening.
“People have to frantically sprint to bomb shelters, ladies with babies, who don’t perceive what is occurring, they are terrified.
“Entire cities and cities are shelled and being destroyed, folks are left with out fuel, electrical energy, water and meals.
“But our nation stands united like by no means earlier than.
“We will not give up, everyone is trying to assist in the best possible way.”
Svyatik Artemenko
One day earlier than the Russian invasion, Artemenko signed for Ukranian second division squad FC Podylla.
He was given the choice of returning to Canada, the place he was enjoying in Winnipeg.
But as an alternative, he opted to keep and struggle.
“That wasn’t even a thought in my head to leave or to flee the country,” Artemenko informed CBC.
“My initial thought always stayed with me to go enrol and go to war here.”
Zhan Beleniuk
Beleniuk was Ukraine’s solely gold medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Now, he’s a member of parliament after wowing all in 87kg wrestling.
Currently, he’s liaising with troopers and volunteers as they struggle off the Russian advance.
“Usually when you lose a fight, there’s another day,” he informed the Guardian.
“But here you can die at any moment. And it’s not just your own life. It’s the lives of your family. It’s the future of your country. These are the highest stakes ever.”
He added: “It’s really hard to describe the level of terror in Ukraine. You probably have to be here to understand the extent of it. There are so many stories. So many tragedies.”
