Oleh Novikov, an accomplished athlete, coach, defender, and true patriot of Ukraine, was killed in action on November 1, 2024, near Preobrazhenka in the Zaporizhzhia region. He gave his life for our freedom on the battlefield.
Born in Luhansk, Oleh displayed an unbreakable spirit and a passion for sports from a young age. Thirty years ago, he settled in Irpin, where he dedicated himself to elevating Ukraine’s sporting prestige. At just 22 years old, Oleh achieved remarkable success, becoming a world champion in contact karate and earning the title of International Master of Sports.
Beyond his athletic career, Oleh devoted himself to serving his country, working in the Department of Tax Police in Kyiv. He skillfully combined this vital work with his coaching career, passing on his expertise and inspiration to young athletes. In the years leading up to the war, he taught kickboxing, mentoring a new generation of Ukrainian champions. More than just a coach, Oleh was a guide and motivator, instilling in his students the drive to push forward, triumph, and become better people.
When Russian forces invaded Ukraine in 2022, Oleh did not stand aside. “If not me, then who?” he told his family before heading to the frontlines. Since then, he fought in some of the fiercest battles on the Sumy, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia fronts. As a hero, he became a symbol of resilience for his comrades, defending his homeland with unwavering courage until his final breath. The memory of Oleh Novikov—his valor on the battlefield and his achievements in sports—will live on forever, inspiring future generations of Ukrainians to fight and to triumph.