Stanislav Samoliuk

Started: He took up the sport in 2017, at age 15, in Dnipro, Ukraine. (Athlete, 23 Aug 2021) Reason: "I was pushed to rowing by a thirst for speed, the feeling of water, the enjoyment of victories, and the opportunity to become better." (Athlete, 23 Aug 2021) Awards: He has received the title of Master of Sport of International Class in Ukraine. (mms.gov.ua, 28 Dec 2022) Additional Info: PODIUM PROPOSAL His wife Dariia Kotyk 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 am very happy because in the race we won bronze but in life we won gold. We met when she first came to join us in Dnipro for a meet [in 2018], and we communicated quite well. We were in the same boat even before we became a couple. When we sit in the boat, we have common goals. There have been moments when we were tired, and we would talk about it, and we would end up supporting each other." (volynnews.com, 26 May 2024; World Rowing Instagram profile, 02 May 2024)

Sporting Relatives: His wife Dariia Kotyk has also represented Ukraine in Para rowing. She competed in the PR3 mixed coxed four at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, and won bronze alongside Samoliuk in the PR3 mixed double sculls at the 2022 World Championships in Racice, Czechia. (Facebook profile, 15 Jun 2024; SportsDeskOnline, 06 Jul 2023; cdu.edu.ua, 26 Sep 2022)