"Here are weapons for you, fight": world champion from Kyiv told about Europe's getting used to war and anxieties abroad

Pavlo Zamyatin, two-time WAKO kickboxing world champion, multiple World Cup winner and Ukrainian ambassador for the European Games-2023, told about which foreigners are more interested in what is happening in our country. And also admitted why he does not go down to the shelter during missile attacks on Kyiv.

In a conversation with OBOZREVATEL Pavlo told about his status as an ambassador for the Continental Games-2023, which took place in Poland in the summer, the attitude of colleagues from other countries, training in Ukraine and the thorny path of a warrior. He also shared his hopes that kickboxing will still be included in the program of the Olympics-2028.

"It was very pleasant when the representative of kickboxing was elected as the ambassador of Ukraine at the European Games. And I hope that I did my duty more or less normally, because it was the first time for me. We tried to unite, to tell and show that kickboxing is worthy to be represented at the Olympic Games and remain in the program of the European Games", - said the athlete.

At the European Games, the most experienced representative of Ukraine, competing in the category up to 79 kg (light contact), stopped at the quarterfinal stage. But does not make a tragedy out of it.

"This is sport. So, you know, it should be like this. The way of the warrior. You've got to keep going. Up somewhere, stop or fall. But you have to have character and move on. At the European Games, somewhere something was missing. It had to happen in order to be better prepared for the Combat Games, in which I will box, for the World Championships. And now there is cool information that my discipline will be represented at the World Games in 2025," said Pavel.

Zamyatin emphasized that one should never seem like our AFU: "Always go forward, forward, forward and to the border. And there already - as it turns out (smiles)".

During the full-scale war with the Russian occupants, Pavel trains in Kyiv, in his own club in Obolon. There the kickboxing federation organized training camps for the athletes: "After that we went to the World Cup and on the eve of the European Games we continued to train at the club. I am very grateful to everyone who helped us to prepare and was there for us. I think, next time everything will work out".

The famous kickboxer also admitted that he does not often go down to the shelter in Kiev during missile attacks.

"As one of my military acquaintances said, if it comes here for sure, even a shelter will not help. And to the subway is very far for us to run. But we have a shelter and children come down or parents take them and still hide in the subway. And so we hope that our air defense is the most air defense," Zamyatin said with a smile.

Pavel also said that during the competition in Poland it was difficult to distract from what was happening in Ukraine: "Especially when you are walking down the corridors and you have this alarm and everything turns on you. Then you start explaining that we are about to have a rocket attack. So you're in a state of worrying about your loved ones all the time. Although I try to be my thoughts on the competition".

We also asked the leader of our national team which of the foreign athletes better understands the situation in Ukraine and from whom the greatest support is felt.

"To be honest, Italians and Czechs come up and ask how we are. Also the Croats constantly ask. And so all friends, in principle, are interested. Austrians ask how, what, what's the situation now?", - Pavel answered.

But the way it used to be, at the very beginning of a full-scale war, at the European Games was no more, because everyone is used to it and explains the situation as follows: we pay taxes, we help you and suffer from it too, but you go ahead. We are with you, here are your weapons, fight! So, in principle, there are worries, but mentally, I think, everyone is already a little tired, unfortunately. But they understand, support," added the kickboxer.

Earlier, as reported by OBOZREVATEL, the world champion told about the attitude to Ukraine, incomprehensible rules and life under the sirens. The famous synchronized athlete believes that Europe is exhausted from our war.

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