Strength, Rhythm and Unity: Kyiv Gathered the Best Tug-of-War Teams — and Bilohorodka Among Them
During Easter, the Retroville shopping center turned into a true arena of character. The open city championship of Kyiv in tug-of-war brought together teams from Kyiv, Kyiv region, Lviv and Odesa — and showed that this sport is much more than just a test of strength.
By Tetiana Suchkova-Ladik
April 16, 2026 · 1 min read
Two Days — 288 Participants
The two-day tournament was held in a format where adults competed on the first day — 18 teams and 162 participants in four categories: men (640 kg and 720 kg), women (520 kg), and mixed teams (4 men and 4 women). The second day was dedicated to juniors — another 126 participants in their respective categories.
Bilohorodka Opened the Championship
The opening showcase was the sports and circus studio "Flik-Flyak" from the village of Bilohorodka. The girls' performance stopped visitors at the shopping center — grace, skill, and energy created a special atmosphere before the first team competition.
"Tug of war is about teamwork: synchronization, rhythm, trust, and the ability to act as one. This is what creates the true beauty of these competitions."
— Anton Ovsienko, head of the Bilohorodka Hromada
Bilohorodka Hromada — Developing Sports at the Regional Level
Village Head Anton Ovsienko leads a separate unit of the Federation of the Strongest Athletes of Ukraine and tug of war in Kyiv Region. This is not just an honorary position — it is concrete work: forming teams, participating in competitions, and building experience.
Recall: last December, a similar championship was hosted by Bilohorodka itself — at the arena of the "Kolos" stadium. Back then, the hromada's team reached the level of its strongest competitors for the first time.
Sports and the Front — About the Same Thing
Synchronization in a team, resilience under pressure, trust in the partner beside you — these are the same qualities that Ukrainian Defenders demonstrate daily on the front lines. Such competitions remind us: character is forged not only in battle.
