Yevhen is from Melitopol — now under occupation. He volunteered to the front. On May 11, 2023, near Bakhmut, shrapnel struck his spine. Yevhen remembers every detail: “It felt like a roller pressed over my back.” Lying on the ground, he counted his breaths: cold. pain. alive. He tried to move his arms — and felt as if 300 kilos pressed on his shoulders. By touch, everything seemed in place. But he knew: it was either the pelvis or the spine. He waited for evacuation under shelling — and endured.
Since school he was described as hyperactive — always full of energy, and that hasn’t changed. In hospital, he quickly made friends with everyone; psychologists even asked him to talk with other wounded soldiers — to encourage them.
Before the war, Yevhen was a blacksmith. His work is about precision, endurance, and dedication. These same traits are helping him recover today. Rehabilitation continues step by step. Swimming has become part of his recovery — he can now walk in the pool, holding onto the side. Sport not only helps the body, but also gives a sense of presence and control.
Pickleball for him is about rhythm and presence — a decision to stay in the game.
From 2000 to 2004, Yevhenii served under contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In 2004, his life changed drastically — a spinal injury put an end to one story and forced him to start a new one. The first years were the hardest: anger, fear, uncertainty. But step by step he learned to adapt, went through physical and psychological rehabilitation, and found a new path.
Sports have always been by his side. Before the injury, it was football and basketball; after — wheelchair basketball. And recently, he discovered pickleball. A surprisingly dynamic yet accessible game that combines movement, focus, and team spirit. It became not only a way of physical recovery but also a source of joy and a sense of equality: on the court, everyone is the same.
Now pickleball is an integral part of his life. It’s about endurance, the strength of the team, and finding new meaning.
Yevhenii is convinced that sport can become a new start for many. He calls on veterans, people with disabilities, and anyone searching for their path:
Among Yevhenii’s personal dreams is to travel the world. And not just as a tourist, but along routes accessible to everyone. For him, this is about freedom and dignity, about the desire to see more and at the same time set an example for others.
For Yevhenii, the English Open was not only a tournament but also an opportunity to remind the world: Ukrainians are present on the global sports map, and their voice is strong.
Before the full-scale invasion, Oleh worked in construction — installing windows and facades, and even realizing some of his own design projects. Today, he works at the state institution “Sport for All” and serves as the head of the Ukrainian Adaptive Sports Federation for people with disabilities.
When the war began, Oleh joined the Territorial Defense Forces. During one of the attacks, a piece of shrapnel struck his leg, and doctors had to amputate it above the knee. His rehabilitation began at home — supported by his daughters, Maryna and Iryna, whose care was decisive. Later, he received a prosthetic and began learning to walk again.
Sports have always been part of his life: football, basketball, tennis. When he first heard about pickleball, he decided to give it a try — and fell in love from the very first game. Dynamic, strategic, and fast, the sport helps him stay in shape, sharpen his reflexes, and once again feel the thrill of competition. He loves tournaments, new challenges, and new opponents. In the future, he dreams of building a pickleball court in his community and running training sessions for both kids and adults.
Through his own story, Oleh seeks to inspire other veterans — never to give up. Because there is always a new beginning.
About twenty years ago, Yevgeny suffered a serious injury while working in a mine — hip and spine injuries. Recovery was long and difficult, complicated by medical errors. But he never gave up.
Yevgen raises his son, whom he calls his support. He is actively involved in community life: he coaches wheelchair basketball, organizes events, takes care of everyday life, and undergoes rehabilitation. For him, staying physically active is not only about health, but also about living a decent life.
Earlier this year, he tried pickleball for the first time during a demonstration match — and immediately felt that it is a game for everyone.
Andrii’s life changed dramatically after an injury he sustained while working in the mines. Later, in 2015, due to Russian aggression, he was forced to leave his home and relocate to Borodianka.
Today, he focuses on his family and household. Physical activity has always been an important part of his life, and after the injury he, like many others, worked hard to live fully again.
This year Andrii discovered pickleball. He was captivated by the game’s dynamics, movement, rhythm — but most of all, by the opportunity to play in pairs and be part of a team.
In everyday life, Andrii enjoys fishing and spending time outdoors. His greatest source of strength is his family — his wife, children, and even the cat that has been with them for almost eight years.
Before his injury, Yurii worked at an aviation plant — now known as Antonov — as an assembly mechanic. Later, he moved into apartment renovations. But in 1999 everything changed: a fall from the roof of a building resulted in a spinal fracture. That moment marked the beginning of a completely different life.
After the injury, he worked for some time in an online store, but real recovery came through sport. Since 2007, Yurii has taken part in competitive fishing, later in billiards, curling, and wheelchair basketball. Sport helped him regain control — both physically and emotionally.
Yurii first saw pickleball at a multi-sport event. The game reminded him of sports he already knew: the movement and tactics of tennis, but on a smaller court, with a paddle similar to table tennis. It was fast, exciting, and unexpectedly addictive. One moment Yurii remembers especially well: his partner couldn’t reach the ball, and he managed to get it at the baseline, return the shot, and win the point. It felt like perfect teamwork.
