The Odesa branch of the All-Ukrainian Martial Arts Association “Combat Self-Defense ISO” is confidently strengthening its position and demonstrating steady growth. Over the past season, the structure has significantly expanded, updated its coaching staff, and introduced the Vi.KING team, which immediately made its mark at the national level. Today, 105 athletes train in Odesa — children, juniors, and adults who choose various disciplines: boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and K-1. The team is led by Eduard Korol, who introduced a new development strategy emphasizing discipline, professional training, and the creation of a proper sports environment.
A unique advantage of the Odesa branch has become the regular morning runs along the seaside, which not only strengthen athletes physically but also build psychological resilience and team spirit. International-level coaches and judges are involved in the training process, ensuring a high-quality approach and allowing athletes to prepare for competitions at a professional level.
This year, the Vi.KING team became a true breakthrough. At the ICO Ukrainian Championship, held on September 19–21, 2025, in Brovary, the athletes demonstrated excellent preparation and won eight medals. The champions were: Erik Smychenko, Artem Stanev, and Maksym Nikitin. Silver was claimed by Mykyta Mavrodi. Bronze medals were won by Maksym Spynu, Yehor Uvarov, Oleh Dolev, and Volodymyr Starskyi.
In July of the same year, the team also delivered a strong performance at the ICO Ukrainian Championship, earning nine medals. The winners were Artem Stanev (Muay Thai), Yehor Uvarov (K-1), Maksym Tsariuk (K-1), and Eduard Korol (Muay Thai). Silver medals were claimed by Erik Smychenko, Daniil Makarevych, and Oleh Dolayev. Bronze went to Volodymyr Sitarskyi and Maksym Nikitin.
Despite all the challenges of today — working with displaced children, limited infrastructure, and the difficult overall situation in the country — the Odesa branch not only maintains its pace but continues to grow. The coaching staff works to create safe conditions and a comfortable atmosphere for every student. The team demonstrates unity, perseverance, and resilience, and the athletes’ achievements confirm the correctness of the chosen course.
The plans include opening new disciplines, engaging even more athletes, and actively preparing for upcoming national and international tournaments. The Odesa branch is open to everyone who wants to develop, train, and grow stronger together with the Vi.KING team.
