The war in Ukraine continues to claim victims in sports as well.
The world champion in kickboxing, the Ukrainian Maxim Kegel, was killed during the fighting in the city of Mariupol at the age of 30.
Kegel's death was reported by the Ukrainian media The Kyiv Independent on Twitter and this was confirmed by his coach, Oleg Skirta.
"Unfortunately, the war is taking the best. On March 25, while defending the city of Mariupol as part of the special forces unit, Maxim Kegel died," Skirta said in a Facebook post.
Ukrainian world champion kick boxer Maksym Kagal killed fighting for his country and for his people.
I do not see why @usykaa thinks more of his world title, than he does for the Ukrainian people.
I think it speaks volumes during a time of War he's going to defend his title.
pic.twitter.com/73YMlI0pBj
- Matt (@ Matt86411566) March 27, 2022
Skirta described Kegel as "the first world kickboxing champion from the glorious city of Kremenchug, the first world champion in the Ukrainian national team, and simply an honest and decent man."
Skirta went on to add, "Rest in peace, we will avenge your death."
😭🕊 RIP Hero.
Kickboxing champion Maksym Kagal died defending Ukraine as part of the controversial Azov unit https://t.co/ixcaHQyQZD via @Yahoo
- Texas Yellow Rosie # IStandWithUkraine🇺🇦 (@julyjaneshawnee) March 29, 2022
The kickboxer, who was crowned world champion in 2014, fought to push the Russians in the besieged city of Mariupol, which put the Ukrainians in front of the invading forces.
He fought as part of the Ukrainian Army's Moss Regiment.
This is the fifth athlete killed in the war, after Ukrainian champion Sambo Artem Freimenko was killed in the heavy bombing carried out on Sumy, along with his father, mother, grandmother and two brothers.
In addition, 21-year-old footballer Vitaly Safilo, who played for the youth team of the Karpati-Lvov team, and Dimitro 'Dima' Martinenko, who played for the regional FC Gostomel team, were also killed in the fighting and bombing, as well as 19-year-old biathlete Yavhan Malishev, who enlisted in the war.
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