Oksana Zubkovska

Started: She took up the sport in 1998 in Mena, Ukraine. (Athlete, 22 Oct 2015) Reason: She got involved in sports after coach Nadezhda Taratukhina visited her school and invited the students to a training session. She got her first taste of the long jump at a local competition. Hurdling and high jump were not included in the programme so she competed in long jump and, to her surprise, won the competition. A lack of interest meant it was some years before she pursued the discipline, which came only after encouragement from coach Yury Gorbachenko. (gorod.cn.ua, 11 Nov 2008; newvv.net, 14 Oct 2008) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (ua.tribuna.com, 12 Jul 2023) Milestones: She became the first female athlete representing Ukraine to win three Paralympic gold medals in Para athletics when she won the T12 long jump at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (SportsDeskOnline, 02 Aug 2021) Awards: In recognition of the gold medal she won at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, she received the Order of Princess Olga [third class] from the president of Ukraine. (president.gov.ua, 16 Sep 2021) In recognition of her achievements at the Paralympic Games in 2008, 2012 and 2016, she received the Orders of Merit [third, second and first classes] in Ukraine. (president.gov.ua, 04 Oct 2016, 17 Sep 2012, 07 Oct 2008) She holds the title of Honoured Master of Sport in Ukraine. (mms.gov.ua, 28 Dec 2022)