Ukrainian boxer sacrifices Olympic dreams and life to fight against Russia's invasion
Associated Press
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In this photo provided by the International Olympic Committee, Maksym Halinichev of Ukraine, right, competes against Abdumalik Khalokov of Uzbekistan in the Boxing Men's Bantam (56kg) Gold Medal Bout at the Oceania Pavilion of Youth Olympic Park during the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. As one of Ukraines most promising boxing prospects, Halinichev could have been shielded from the war. (Jonathan Nackstrand/IOC via AP)Vasilisa plays with her mother, Polina Ihrak, during a boxing tournament in honor of her father, Maksym Halinichev, who was killed during fighting with Russian forces in March 2023, in Romny, Sumy region, Ukraine on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. I have a little child. I dont want her to live in occupation among the aggressor, among the Russians, Halinichev told one of his coaches. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)Vasilisa plays with a flashlight with her mother, Polina Ihrak, and grandmother, Svitlana Halinicheva, after returning home from a boxing tournament in honor of her father Maksym Halinichev, who was killed during fighting with Russian forces in March 2023, in Shostka, Sumy region, Ukraine on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)Vasilisa plays during a boxing tournament in honor of her father Maksym Halinichev, who was killed during fighting with Russian forces in March 2023, in Romny, Sumy region, Ukraine on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)Polina Ihrak cries after returning home from a boxing tournament in honor of her life partner, Maksym Halinichev, who was killed during fighting with Russian forces in March 2023, in Shostka, Sumy region, Ukraine on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. He believed he had to return to his brothers in arms because he was needed, says Ihrak. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)In this photo provided by the International Olympic Committee, Maksym Halinichev of Ukraine, left, and Abdumalik Khalokov of Uzbekistan compete in the Boxing Men's Bantam (56kg) Gold Medal Bout at the Oceania Pavilion of Youth Olympic Park during the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. In May 2022, at 21 years old, Halinichev joined the airborne assault troops, according to Ukraines Boxing Federation. (Jonathan Nackstrand/IOC via AP)In this photo provided by the International Olympic Committee, from left, silver medalist Maksym Halinichev of Ukraine, gold medalist Abdumalik Khalokov of Uzbekistan and bronze medalist Mirco Jehiel Cuello of Argentina stand together during the medal ceremony for the Boxing Mens Bantam (up to 56kg) during The Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. Halinichev considered the bout a loss it wasnt gold, after all but it gave him a map for the future. (Thomas Lovelock/IOC via AP)Young boxers prepare to fight during a boxing tournament in honor of Maksym Halinichev, who was killed during fighting with Russian forces in March 2023, in Romny, Sumy region, Ukraine on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)Boxers pose for a photo during the official opening of boxing tournament in honor of Maksym Halinichev, who was killed during fighting with Russian forces in March 2023, in Romny, Sumy region, Ukraine on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)Coach Bohdan Dmytrenko speaks to a young boxer during a boxing tournament in honor of Maksym Halinichev, who was killed during fighting with Russian forces in March 2023, in Romny, Sumy region, Ukraine on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)Young boxers fight during a boxing tournament in honor of Maksym Halinichev, who was killed during fighting with Russian forces in March 2023, in Romny, Sumy region, Ukraine on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)Young boxers enter the opening ceremony of a boxing tournament in honor of Maksym Halinichev, who was killed during fighting with Russian forces in March 2023, in Romny, Sumy region, Ukraine on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)Young boxers stand during the official opening of a boxing tournament in honor of Maksym Halinichev, who was killed during fighting with Russian forces in March 2023, in Romny, Sumy region, Ukraine on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
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In this photo provided by the International Olympic Committee, Maksym Halinichev of Ukraine, right, competes against Abdumalik Khalokov of Uzbekistan in the Boxing Men's Bantam (56kg) Gold Medal Bout at the Oceania Pavilion of Youth Olympic Park during the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. As one of Ukraines most promising boxing prospects, Halinichev could have been shielded from the war. (Jonathan Nackstrand/IOC via AP)