Anastasiia Chyzhevska: A rising star of Ukrainian Women’s Judo, fighting against all odds
At just 21 years old, Anastasiia Chyzhevska has already experienced the horrors of Russian aggression twice.
In 2014, she was forced to flee her hometown of Luhansk after it was occupied by pro-Russian militias. She and her family relocated to Irpin, near Kyiv.
But in February 2022, her new home came under siege by the Russian army. The dojo where she trained was destroyed, and once again, she was forced to flee. It was the last time she would see her father, who was killed defending Ukraine.
Now a refugee in Hostomel, Anastasiia continues to train despite enduring grief and the constant insecurity of living in a country under relentless bombardment. Sometimes, for safety, she trains in basements, but her determination has not wavered. In October 2022, she returned to the tatami and claimed the European Under-23 Championship title in Sarajevo.
She now dreams of fulfilling her lifelong ambition: competing in the Olympics.
Anastasiia has voiced her outrage over the participation of Russian athletes in the Games, condemning the blood on their hands—especially that of her father.
She firmly opposes allowing Paris 2024 to become a platform for those who perpetuate violence in Ukraine.
#BloodGames2024
