Federation boss rejoices

Ukrainian wins European Championship gold medal one month after naturalization

Oleksandr Cheban (r.) celebrates his European Championship gold.(Bild: Martin Kremser)

On 9 January, a 15-year-old Ukrainian was naturalized in the presence of Upper Austrian Deputy Governor Manfred Haimbuchner, and on 9 February, Oleksandr Cheban sensationally won the gold medal for Austria at the European Junior Karate Championships. Even an official can take credit for this.

Only sport writes stories like this! After Russia's attack on Ukraine, the then 13-year-old Oleksandr Cheban fled to Austria in 2022, found a new home first in Vienna and later in Upper Austria, above all at Karate-do Wels, and was awarded Austrian citizenship on 9 January in the special interest of the Republic in the presence of Deputy Governor Manfred Haimbuchner (FPÖ).