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Ukrainian 13-Year-Old Karate Fighter Refuses Podium Photo With Russian Rival

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Amira_barkhush
Amira Barkhush
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Ukrainian athlete Yevhenii Melnyk, competing in the under-45 kg category, refuses to take a photo with Igor Grigorev, a “neutral” Russian athlete at the Youth Karate League in Guadalajara, Spain. (Source: karate.project)
Ukrainian athlete Yevhenii Melnyk, competing in the under-45 kg category, refuses to take a photo with Igor Grigorev, a “neutral” Russian athlete at the Youth Karate League in Guadalajara, Spain. (Source: karate.project)

Ukrainian athlete Yevhenii Melnyk, competing in the under-45 kg category, claimed a bronze medal at the Youth Karate League in Guadalajara, Spain, sparking widespread attention after refusing to pose for a photo with a Russian competitor.

According to karate.project, Melnyk declined to take the traditional podium photo with a “neutral” athlete, stepping down in protest despite objections from an organizer.

Melnyk shared the bronze medal with Spain’s Beltran Tamargo Salgado, while Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Albishi took silver and the gold went to Igor Grigorev, a “neutral” Russian athlete.

Ukrainian athlete Yevhenii Melnyk, competing in the under-45 kg category, claimed a bronze medal at the Youth Karate League in Guadalajara, Spain. (Source: karate.project)
Ukrainian athlete Yevhenii Melnyk, competing in the under-45 kg category, claimed a bronze medal at the Youth Karate League in Guadalajara, Spain. (Source: karate.project)

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