Jiu-Jitsu Offers Liberation for Ukrainian War Amputees

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Anticipation was palpable among the war veterans, exchanging quips and assisting one another with their kimono belts in preparation for their first-ever jiu-jitsu tournament. These individuals had endured the ravages of war, resulting in amputations due to severe injuries.

Gathered to compete in the “para jiu-jitsu” division of Ukraine’s national championships, they were surrounded by a buzzing crowd seated in an amphitheater arrangement within a sports complex in Kyiv.

The toll of the conflict initiated by Russia on Ukraine has been heavy, with over 20,000 people suffering limb loss, many from the military ranks. For a small number, the healing process involved taking up Brazilian jiu-jitsu—a practice they claim provides them a sense of wholeness. “It’s as if we’re whole again. We don’t perceive ourselves as incomplete,” shared Artem Kuzmich, a war veteran who took up jiu-jitsu following the loss of his leg in combat in 2019.

Kuzmich, originally from Belarus, volunteered for the Ukrainian forces in 2014 to counter the Russian presence in Eastern Ukraine. Presently, he dedicates himself to guiding soldiers who have faced similar fates, finding refuge and recovery in the discipline of jiu-jitsu.

Jiu-jitsu is characterized by techniques that leverage an adversary’s strength against them, an art that Kuzmich explains is inherently accommodating for amputees, without the need for prosthetic limbs. “We utilize our current capabilities to achieve triumph, notwithstanding the hand life has dealt us,” he stated.

The recent tournament began with the Ukrainian national anthem, acknowledgments to the country’s military, and a solemn moment of silence honoring the fallen.

The TMS Hub in Kyiv, a veteran support facility offering psychological rehabilitation, is where five out of the six “para jiu-jitsu” contestants began their training, inaugurating their first jiu-jitsu training space just two months prior.

The TMS Hub extends complimentary jiu-jitsu classes to veterans afflicted with limb loss in the Russo-Ukrainian War, fostering a community for collective healing and psychological support. “They find comfort in the company of fellow veterans,” noted Serhii Pohosyan, a founder of the establishment.

Within a mere two months, five veterans from the TMS Hub were competition-ready for the national stage.

Among them was Vasyl Oksyntiuk, 26, who became a double amputee when a shell struck his vehicle near Bakhmut in the previous December’s ferocious conflicts.

Before his bout, Oksyntiuk methodically detached his prosthetic legs and positioned them aside the mat. Clad in his kimono, his hair cut short, sporting a black mustache, he displayed an air of focus, employing his arms to navigate to the mat’s center to face his opponent.

“The sensation is transformative; you lose awareness of your impairments,” commented Oksyntiuk.

He enlisted for the war when Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February, driven by a sense of duty enshrined in both the nation’s Constitution and his personal convictions. “With the invasion came a duty to act,” he declared.

Despite mastering the use of prosthetic limbs nearly a year post-injury, Oksyntiuk continued to seek engaging activities. “I had always been drawn to martial arts but assumed I was past the age to begin. After my injury, discovering this chance online, I decided to pursue it and found it gratifying,” he recounted.

Oksyntiuk clinched a silver medal in his debut at the Ukrainian Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Pohosyan discussed the gym’s adapted facilities for the disabled veterans, revealing plans for expansion contingent on financial support, as the initiative runs on charitable contributions.

At the conclusion of the event, the veterans, emotionally stirred, approached Pohosyan to express their thanks, affirming the profound impact of the experience.

“For us, their appreciation is the ultimate accolade,” Pohosyan concluded.

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For continued coverage, visit AP’s dedicated section on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ukrainian war amputees jiu-jitsu

More about Ukrainian war amputees jiu-jitsu

• Ukrainian Veterans Find Healing in Martial Arts
• The Transformative Power of Jiu-Jitsu for Amputees
• TMS Hub: A Sanctuary for War-Affected Veterans
• The Journey of Artem Kuzmich: From Soldier to Mentor
• Vasyl Oksyntiuk: A Story of Resilience and Triumph