Vadym Honcharenko, a student at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture and a veteran, has joined the Ukrainian national team that will represent the country at the Air Force and Marine Corps Trials international veterans and military competition in the United States in 2026. This was reported by the Come Back Alive Charitable Foundation’s Center for Initiatives.
Based on the results of the selection process, 15 veterans—winners of the All-Ukrainian Defense Forces Competition “GART”—joined the team.
The formation, preparation, and participation of the Ukrainian team in international competitions are carried out jointly by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine and the Come Back Alive Initiative Center.
The Air Force and Marine Corps Trials are international adaptive competitions for military personnel and veterans, which are an official stage of selection for the Warrior Games. They are held annually in the United States and bring together participants from around the world, becoming an important element of the international sports and rehabilitation movement for veterans.
Vadym Honcharenko’s sporting achievements
Throughout 2025, Vadym Honcharenko demonstrated results in a number of adaptive and strength sports. He became the Ukrainian champion in para-arm wrestling and also represented Ukraine at the European Championships.
Throughout the year, Vadym repeatedly participated in functional and team sports competitions, including the Spartan Race, marathons, rugby, and CrossFit competitions. In November, he won the Zvytyaga Nezkonenyh (Victory of the Unconquered) strongman competition among military personnel and veterans, taking first place in several strength disciplines. The end of the year was marked by new prize places in rowing, powerlifting, and strongman multi-event competitions.
The Ukrainian national team won 11 gold, 18 silver and 19 bronze medals at the 2022 World Gymnasium in France, according to the Ministry of Education and Science.
According to the press service of the ministry, the Ukrainian team was represented by 93 students aged 16 to 18.
“During the competition, the Ukrainian team won 11 gold, 18 silver and 19 bronze medals, thanks to which our athletes are among the top ten among 63 countries. For the state to participate in such priority international competitions is a great honor, pride and responsibility,” said. Ministry of Education.
It is noted that the national team of Ukraine competed in the following sports: badminton, 3×3 basketball, boxing, wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, beach volleyball, gymnastics, judo, athletics, swimming, orienteering, breaking, table tennis, taekwondo, taekwondo 7, archery and fencing.
The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has delegated the right of the Ukrainian national team to play instead of the Russian national team at the 2022 World Championship, according to the website of the Volleyball Federation of Ukraine.
“On April 14, HLF President Mikhail Melnik received a letter from the FIVB, which states that Ukraine will play in the 2022 World Cup instead of Russia. The letter says that there will be no new draw procedure and Ukraine will take Russia’s place in Group A under the first seeded number! ” – the message says.
Initially, the World Cup was supposed to be held in Russia, but the Russian Federation was deprived of the right to host it because of the war in Ukraine. For the same reason, the Russian team was excluded from the tournament.
CHAMPIONSHIP, REPLACE RUSSIA, UKRAINIAN NATIONAL TEAM, VOLLEYBALL
