Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereyaslav

A unique fact in Ukraine, a trademark and a source of pride for the university, is that two brothers—the world-famous boxers, public figures, philanthropists, and educational scientists Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko—along with two Heroes of Ukraine, Vitali Klitschko and Olena Yurkovska, all pursued their studies within the same “Physical Education” specialization.

In 2008, at the Ukraine Track and Field Cup among students of higher education institutions of the III–IV accreditation levels, the university claimed 3rd place. Following the decision of the jury of the All-Ukrainian Review Contest for the best state of physical education and sports in higher education institutions of Ukraine, the university secured 3rd place in both 2009 and 2010. At the III Sports Games of Ukraine among higher education institutions of the III-IV accreditation levels in 2012, the university won a bronze medal.

The Olympic team of Ukraine at the XXXI Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro 2016 featured 6 students and alumni of the university, namely: Mark Padun (cycling), Serhiy Budza (race walking), Nazar Kovalenko (race walking), Mykyta Nesterenko (discus throw), and Ihor Olefirenko (marathon). At the 29th World Summer Universiade (2017) in the Taiwanese capital of Taipei, the national team of Ukraine was represented by 8 students from the faculty: Andriy Khloptsov (swimming), Alina Tsviliy (race walking), Mykyta Nesterenko (discus throw), Serhiy Nykyforov (long jump), Liudmyla Temna (wushu), Roman Reva (wushu), Yana Kachur (track and field), and Mykola Nyzhnyk (track and field). In the same year, the faculty’s students claimed 1st place in sumo wrestling among Ukrainian higher education institutions.

The 2019 All-Ukrainian Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling Competitions among students were highly successful for the university’s teams, which claimed 1st and 2nd places, respectively. Similar competitions in boxing in 2021 concluded with the university team ascending to the champion’s spot on the podium. The following students and alumni of the faculty were delegated to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games: Olha Holodna (shot put), Marian Zakalnytskyi (race walking), Yana Kachur (track and field), Nazar Kovalenko (race walking), Mykyta Nesterenko (discus throw), Mykola Nyzhnyk (track and field), Hlib Piskunov (hammer throw), Vladyslav Bukhov and Ihor Troianovskyi (swimming), and Alina Hrushyna (Akobiia) (freestyle wrestling).

According to United World Wrestling (UWW), third-year student Yehor Yakushenko was named the best U20 Greco-Roman wrestler in the world. In August, the 19-year-old student of the Faculty of Physical Culture, Sports, and Health wrote his name into history: he became the first Ukrainian wrestler to win two consecutive gold medals at the U20 World Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships. The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine has thrice recognized Yehor as the Best Young Athlete of the Month. The wrestler was also crowned the “Best Young Athlete of 2024.” The athlete receives an status-based merit scholarship from the NOC of Ukraine.