Andriy Kotovenko, the prizewinner of the Invincible Games, died in the war with the Russian occupiers.
As a result of the injuries received in the battles near the Donetsk airport, Andrii underwent 22 operations and refused amputation. He was crippled while advancing through a mined area, when he tried to clear one of the objects of Russian intelligence service.
After rehabilitation, Kotovenko took up sports and soon represented Ukraine at the prestigious Invincible Games. In October 2021, the athlete won a bronze medal in the bench press, and a year before that he won a silver medal at the European Championship in Slovakia.
Andriy Kotovenka had the nickname “Cat”. In the battles in Donetsk region, he was the commander of a separate mortar unit.
Died on May 2, 2022.