Dariia Kotyk

Started: She began the sport in 2017, at age 12, in Cherkasy, Ukraine. (Athlete, 23 Aug 2021) Reason: "I decided to try something new." (Athlete, 23 Aug 2021) Awards: In 2019 and 2022 she was named among the 10 Best Para Athletes of the Year in the Cherkasy region of Ukraine. (chesno.ck.ua, 29 Dec 2022; invasportcherkasy.in.ua, 28 Dec 2019) She has received the title of Master of Sport of International Class in Ukraine. (mms.gov.ua, 28 Dec 2022) Additional Info: PODIUM PROPOSAL Her husband Stanislav Samoliuk is also an international Para rower representing Ukraine. He presented his proposal of marriage on the podium at the 2024 European Championships in Szeged, Hungary, where the pair won bronze together in the PR3 mixed double sculls. "I actually had no idea about his intention. I began to suspect something when I saw the microphone had been given to him. In the five years I had been in the team, it had never happened that the prize-winners were given a microphone. In life he can be both serious and very funny. There is no such thing as, 'Let's do something else today', or, 'Let's have a little rest'. He always says, 'No, let's work to the end'. You can say that he even motivates me more than I motivate him." (volynnews.com, 26 May 2024)

Sporting Relatives: Her husband Stanislav Samoliuk has also represented Ukraine in Para rowing. He competed in the PR3 mixed coxed four at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, and won bronze alongside Kotyk in the PR3 mixed double sculls at the 2022 World Championships in Racice, Czechia. (suspilne.media, 14 Jun 2024; SportsDeskOnline, 10 Jul 2023; cdu.edu.ua, 26 Sep 2022)