Oleh Novikov, a world champion in contact karate, was killed in the war against the Russian invaders. He gave his life in the fight for Ukraine on 1 November near Preobrazhenka, Zaporizhzhya Region.
Novikov was a world-class master of sports. Before the full-scale war, he served in the tax police department and was a coach, the Sports Committee of Ukraine reported.
Novikov was a native of Luhansk Region, but lived in Irpin for 30 years. At the age of twenty-two, he became a world champion in contact karate.
‘The hero became an example of invincibility for his comrades and bravely defended his land until his last breath,’ the committee said.