Author: Ihor Stelmach

SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. – Several ESPN boxing experts have proclaimed Ukrainian Vasyl Lomachenko the sport’s premier pound-for-pound fighter. Promoter Bob Arum has referred to his client as the most skilled boxer he has ever seen, including the legendary Muhammad Ali. After Lomachenko’s latest victim, Guillermo Rigondeaux, refused to leave his corner to start the seventh...

Turk Broda was named one of The NHL’s 100, the top-100 players in the history of the National Hockey League’s 100 years of existence. This is the last in a series featuring the six Ukrainian hockey stars selected to this elite group. During the Toronto Maple Leafs’ most glorious decade, the 1940s, Ukrainian goalie Turk...

Johnny Bucyk was named one of the NHL’s 100, the top-100 players in the history of the National Hockey League’s 100 years of existence. This is the fifth in a series featuring the six Ukrainian hockey stars selected to this elite group. June 10, 1957. Newspaper headlines told of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s recovery from...

In its first year competing, Team Ukraine quickly became the star of the 2017 Invictus Games. A joyous gathering of Ukrainian Canadians met the Ukrainian contingent at Toronto’s airport, singing the Ukrainian national anthem. The triumvirate of England’s Prince Harry, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko effusively praised Team Ukraine at...

Light heavyweight contender Oleksandr Gvozdyk (14-0, 12 KO) registered a sixth-round knockout of Craig Baker (17-2, 13 KO) in the co-feature of a boxing card at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb., on August 19. The 30-year-old Ukrainian went down a notch in terms of quality opponent when compared to his two most recent bouts....

Far from the peak physical form required for a finals match, Elina Svitolina battled through exhaustion and overwhelmed still another top-10 opponent for her fifth WTA Tour title of the season on August 13 in Toronto. Playing her third match in a little over 24 hours, the young Ukrainian toppled Caroline Wozniacki, 6-4, 6-0 to...

Terry Sawchuk was named one of the NHL’s 100 – the top-100 players in the history of the National Hockey League’s 100 years of existence. This is the fourth in a series featuring the six Ukrainian hockey stars selected to this elite group. A few in the trade have exceeded Terry Sawchuk’s victory and shutout...

He has set as his ultimate goal to be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world and he has already been mentioned by some boxing pundits as at that ultimate status. Another step toward that goal was to take care of his next challenger, underdog Miguel Marriaga. Junior lightweight world titleholder Vasyl Lomachenko stepped...

Wladimir Klitschko officially ended a 21-year professional boxing career on August 3, when he announced his retirement. One of the longest-reigning champions in the sport’s history, he competed in more heavyweight title bouts than anyone. Klitschko’s final fight, on April 29 in front of 90,000 at sold out Wembley Stadium in London, was his 29th...

Islanders superstar Mike Bossy Mike Bossy was named one of the NHL’s 100 – the top-100 players in the history of the National Hockey League’s 100 years of existence. This is the third in a series featuring the six Ukrainian hockey stars selected to this elite group. When hockey pundits discuss late-20th century dynasties, the...

Ukrainian hockey hero: Johnny Bower Johnny Bower was named one of The NHL’s 100, the top 100 players in the history of the National Hockey League’s 100 years of existence. This is the second in a series featuring the six Ukrainian hockey stars selected to this elite group. The National Hockey League recently selected him...

Future Ukrainian soccer stars: prospects on the pitch Viktor Kovalenko, Shakhtar Donetsk Heading into Ukraine’s opening match at Euro 2016 against Germany, it was déjà vu for two young, up-and-coming soccer stars. For the Germans it was Schalke 04’s Leroy Sane; for Ukraine, 20-year-old Viktor Kovalenko via Shakhtar Donetsk. Indeed, the two had met earlier...