This event occurred last weekend, during a youth competition of Karate that took place in the province of Guadalajara. The protagonist is Melnyk, a young Ukrainian who competed in the U-14 category and won the bronze medal. Upon receiving his prize he made a gesture that has monopolized holders in the international media.
According to the media after receiving his trophy, the 13 -year -old had to participate in the photo with the other winners: the Spanish Beltrán Tamargo Salgadothe Saudi Abdullah Alghsanand the Russian Igor Grigoriev. “Melnyk fell on the podium and, vigorously gesturinghe showed the world that he did not agree to be photographed with the Russian. “
According to the disseminated information, The young man has been acclaimed as “a hero” in Ukraine. In its publication on Instagram, the Ukrainian Federation of Karate, has asserted that “we thank the athlete’s parents for their proper education. There are no photos with terrorists. ”
“Melnyk’s gesture is in line with the attitude of many Ukraine athletes towards his Russian rivals,” concludes the publication. The most famous is that of the tennis player Marta Kostyuk“that since the beginning of the invasion he has refused to take photos with Russians and Belarusians.”
