Poltava V.G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University

The athletic life at the V. G. Korolenko Poltava National Pedagogical University combines long-standing traditions with modern approaches to the development of student sports. This is where future champions, record-holders, coaches, and leaders in Ukrainian and international sports are nurtured.

The university takes particular pride in the graduates of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, who include Olympic champions, Olympic medalists, world and European champions, Olympic participants, Honored Masters of Sports of Ukraine, winners of the Ukrainian Cup and international student competitions, as well as players on national teams and in professional clubs.

The faculty takes pride in Olympic boxing champion Oleksandr Khizhnyak and Olympic canoeing champion Yuriy Cheban; legendary goalkeeper of the Ukrainian national team Andriy Pyatov; captain of Poltava’s “Vorskla” Volodymyr Chesnakov; goalkeeper for Donetsk’s “Shakhtar” and the national team Dmytro Riznyk; world champion in Kyokushin karate Oleksandr Svynaenko; absolute European champion and Ukrainian champion in powerlifting Anatolii Novopysmennyi; Ukrainian champion in powerlifting Rostyslav Zherebtsov; Ukrainian freestyle wrestling championship medalist Alfes Dolidze; Ukrainian judo champion Olga Yavtushenko; silver medalist at the Ukrainian Taekwondo Championship Viktoria Ivanyuk; as well as many other athletes whose achievements contribute to the sporting glory of the university and Ukraine.

At the same time, the faculty takes pride in its coaching traditions.

An important area of development for student sports at the university is the support of team sports. The women’s volleyball team VK “Reshetylivka – PNPU” proudly represents V. G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University in the Ukrainian championship, demonstrating a high level of athletic skill and competing successfully on the national stage.

Another hallmark of the university is the “Cheetah” sports club, founded by faculty alumnus Oleg Kovalenko. His students are world and European champions in kickboxing and Muay Thai, including Ihor Torianyk, Ashot Khachaturyan, Oleksandr Ten, and Andriy Horyachun.

Cheerleading holds a special place in the university’s athletic life. The “Rhythm-PNPU” team competes successfully at the world level, and its athletes are members of Ukraine’s national team.

The development of this sport in the region is led by a graduate of the faculty, Associate Professor Serhii Synytsia, who serves as the team’s head coach and president of the Poltava Regional Cheerleading Federation.

The Faculty of Physical Education and Sports hosts a network of sports clubs, including soccer, futsal, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, boxing, kickboxing, powerlifting, judo, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, cheerleading, table tennis, and chess.

Classes are taught by qualified coaches and instructors, including candidates of sciences, doctors of sciences, masters of sports, and distinguished workers in physical culture and sports.

University students are regular participants in competitions and tournaments at various levels. In the 2025–2026 academic year, PNPU’s teams won awards in the “Side by Side: All-Ukrainian Student Leagues” project, represented the university in volleyball and futsal competitions, and demonstrated the active development of student sports and a high level of athletic training.