Biography
Started: He took up the sport in 2008 in Cherkasy, Ukraine. (Athlete, 26 Jun 2014; ukrinform.ua, 05 Sep 2012)
Reason: He tried Para athletics, table tennis, swimming and football before taking up shooting Para sport at a range near his home. (ukrinform.ua, 05 Sep 2012)
Milestones: He became the first Ukrainian to win a shooting Para sport medal at the Paralympic Games when he claimed gold in the open SH2 10m air rifle prone event at the 2012 Games in London. He successfully defended his title at the 2016 Games to become the first Ukrainian shooter to win two Paralympic gold medals in the sport. (SportsDeskOnline, 21 Jul 2024)
Awards: In recognition of his achievements at the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Paralympic Games, he received the Order of Merit [third, second, and first class, respectively] in Ukraine. (president.gov.ua, 16 Sep 2021, 04 Oct 2016; zakon.rada.gov.ua, 17 Sep 2012)
He has received the title of Honoured Master of Sport in Ukraine. (mms.gov.ua, 28 Dec 2022; Athlete, 26 Nov 2017)
Sporting Relatives: His wife Olga Kovalchuk has represented Ukraine in shooting Para sport and won silver in the SH1 10m air pistol at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. She also won gold in the SH1 10m air pistol team event at the 2014 World Championships in Suhl, Germany. (SportsDeskOnline, 03 Aug 2021; Athlete, 26 Nov 2017)
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal Details
GenderMale
Birth DateApril 18, 1973
Place of ResidenceODESSA
OccupationAthlete, Coach
Languages SpokenRussian, Ukrainian
CoachIryna Vynogradova [national, personal], UKR
Highlights
| Rank | Event | Year | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralympic Games | ||||
| 1 | R5 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 | 2016 | Rio de Janeiro, BRA | 211.7 |
| 1 | R5 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 | 2012 | London, GBR | 706.4 |
| 2 | R5 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 254.7 |
| 3 | R9 - 50m Rifle Prone SH2 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 228.9 |
| 4 | R4 - 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 209.1 |
| 7 | R4 - 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 | 2016 | Rio de Janeiro, BRA | 103.0 |
| 11 | R4 - 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 | 2012 | London, GBR | 598 |
| World Championships | ||||
| 1 | R5 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 | 2022 | Al Ain, UAE | 254.6 |
| 1 | Mixed R11 - 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 - Team | 2022 | Al Ain, UAE | 16 |
| 1 | R9 - 50m Rifle Prone SH2 | 2014 | Suhl, GER | 621.0 |
| 2 | R9 - 50m Rifle Prone SH2 | 2018 | Cheongju, KOR | 248.9 |
| 4 | R5 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 | 2019 | Sydney, NSW, AUS | 211.2 |
| 4 | Mixed R5 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 - Team | 2014 | Suhl, GER | 1897.5 |
| 5 | R5 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 | 2023 | Lima, PER | 189.8 |
| 5 | R9 - 50m Rifle Prone SH2 | 2019 | Sydney, NSW, AUS | 183.3 |
| 5 | R4 - 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 | 2018 | Cheongju, KOR | 188.6 |
| 5 | R4 - 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 | 2014 | Suhl, GER | 146.9 |
| 6 | R4 - 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 | 2022 | Al Ain, UAE | 167.1 |
| 6 | Mixed R4 - 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 - Team | 2014 | Suhl, GER | 1874.2 |
| 7 | R5 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 | 2014 | Suhl, GER | 105.0 |
| 9 | R9 - 50m Rifle Prone SH2 | 2010 | Zagreb, CRO | 586 |
| 11 | R4 - 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 | 2019 | Sydney, NSW, AUS | 630.0 |
| 13 | R9 - 50m Rifle Prone SH2 | 2023 | Lima, PER | 617.7 |
| 17 | R5 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 | 2010 | Zagreb, CRO | |
| 20 | R4 - 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 | 2023 | Lima, PER | 628.3 |
| 23 | R5 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 | 2018 | Cheongju, KOR | 631.4 |
| 25 | R9 - 50m Rifle Prone SH2 | 2022 | Al Ain, UAE | 614.9 |
| 41 | R4 - 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 | 2010 | Zagreb, CRO | |
| European Championships | ||||
| 2 | R5 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 | 2023 | Rotterdam, NED | 255.9 |
| 6 | R9 - 50m Rifle Prone SH2 | 2024 | Granada, ESP | 164.0 |
| 10 | R5 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 | 2024 | Granada, ESP | 635.8 |
| 10 | R4 - 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 | 2023 | Rotterdam, NED | 628.9 |
| 12 | R4 - 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 | 2024 | Granada, ESP | 628.0 |
