Photo by Yaroslava Matvieienko
On October 4, an open training for the media of Invictus games team Ukraine 2018 took place on basis of the CSK Swimming Pool of Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Recall that Ukraine will take part in Invictus games for the second time. In less than two weeks, fourteen men veterans and one woman veteran will go to Australian Sydney to show the world once again, using example of Ukrainians, that «the spirit is and will be stronger than the body». From the third training camp, the participants fly directly to Australia.
Our boys and girl will compete in such sports as: swimming, powerlifting, archery, indoor rowing, road cycling, shot put, long jump, and athletics.
Correspondent of The Journalist talked with team members and coaches.
Denys Fischuk (swimming, cycling)
«I have been swimming since childhood. I was once professionally engaged in triathlon. The main sport now for me during the Games is cycling. In swimming I take part in one swim for 50 meters. Results of training are satisfying for now. If journalists do not really bother us, then two workouts a day come out. Outside the camp I trained for several hours a day. Hopes in Australia? Every athlete wants to win, but we will see, we will not make plans in advance. In addition, I want to convey to the world community that in Ukraine still war is going on».
Vasyl Omelchenko (athletics)
«We are training for the third camp in a row, which on average lasted 2-3 weeks, two workouts per day. Between the camps – rest but everyone trains at home. Outside the camp, I have the opportunity to train: at Military Institute of Tank Forces of National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» at Faculty of Armaments and Military Equipment, where I am currently studying, I am given time to prepare for several hours a day. In Australia, the goal is to win, to show our best result, what we have achieved in six months. I became engaged in track and field athletics when I entered college in 2014, after being injured. I learned about the project from a friend and participant of last year’s national team Oleh Zimnikov».
Serhii Shymchak (archery, cycling)
«The main reason why I chose archery is I LOVE IT! I took bow for the first time on October 20, 2017. Dmytro Afanasyev, a reserve participant last year, brought me to the coach. I was still treated at hospital. I tried, got involved, and now I cannot stop. I now understand why the Japanese consider it an art. No, wind does not interfere, it is even better, it contributes to concentration training. Outside the camp I train at least five times a week for four hours. No privacy! I’m going to the Paralympic team, but for everything its own time».
Valeriy Dymo (swimming coach)
«Compared to the second training camp, on the contrary, our workload decreases slightly, especially in the last week before the competition, as they must be full of strength and energy. In the second camp they trained endurance, speed. I don’t promise four gold medals like last year, but let’s hope there will be four medals in total, maybe more. Our athletes take part in all distances, as well as for the first time in the team swim (relay race)».
We will cheer up and support our Invictus games team Ukraine from October 20 to 28 and wish the national team victories, but first of all enjoy every moment of their unforgettable journey in Downunder!
Text and photo Yaroslava Matvieienko
Previously, The Journalist reported about Invictus games team Ukraine second training camp.
Подписывайтесь на telegram-канал journalist.today
