A Ukrainian Fencing Record Set in Kyiv: A Story of Strength and Resilience
On April 18, 2025, in Kyiv, a remarkable sporting event took place at the MIDGARD educational space — the largest fencing lesson in the history of Ukraine. A total of 91 participants, including children and their coaches, took to the piste simultaneously.
The event was initiated by the Ukrainian brand Unic Fencing. The lesson was officially registered as a National Record of Ukraine, and the photo report was prepared by Vasyl Artyushenko (ZN.UA).
Supporting Children's Sports During War
This event became more than just a record — it symbolized the resilience of sports in a country living through the realities of war. In frontline regions such as Kharkiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Kherson, many sports schools have been destroyed or shut down. Fencing, which cannot be practiced online, has been particularly affected.
The government is not always able to provide in-person training, so most sections now exist only in the private sector, making them unaffordable for many families. Young athletes are often forced to go abroad in search of better conditions.
Unic Fencing School in Kharkiv
To change this, in 2024 Unic Fencing opened a free fencing school in Kharkiv. Even under martial law, children can train there for free — the brand covers rent, coach salaries, and equipment. However, the school is only one-third full.
The mass lesson in Kyiv became both a symbol and a call to action — to show that sports are alive, accessible, and important for children.
Fencing Is More Than Just a Sport
Fencing develops not only the body, but also the spirit: it helps children manage stress, control emotions, and develop analytical thinking and respect for opponents. It builds mental resilience and inner strength.
"We want children to have the opportunity to train at home, in Ukraine. So that even those who have left know they have a place to return to. So that athletes and coaches stay and feel valued," say Unic Fencing founders Viktoriia and Yevhen Myrhorodskyi.
A Look Into the Future
The record-setting lesson in Kyiv is more than an achievement — it's a call to support youth sports and create conditions for the development of physical culture in Ukraine, even in the hardest of times.
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