At 27, Yevhenii Korinets exemplifies the transformative power of resilience and determination. Once a dedicated volleyball player, Korinets now shines as a crucial member of Ukraine’s national sitting volleyball team, marking his debut at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. His journey from the volleyball courts of Zhytomyr Oblast to the world’s biggest sporting stage is a testament to perseverance, courage, and the relentless spirit of an athlete who refuses to give up.
Before the war, Korinets was a standout player for the Chernyakhiv district team in Zhytomyr Oblast, demonstrating his potential at the regional level. However, everything changed when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Korinets swapped the volleyball court for the battlefield, enlisting in the Ukrainian army. Initially serving in a guard company, he later transitioned to a combat medic role with the 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade, fighting in the fiercely contested Bakhmut region, one of the war’s most harrowing battlegrounds.
THE AMPUTATION IN COMBAT
Korinets’ life was dramatically altered when he sustained severe injuries in combat, leading to the amputation of his leg. For many, such an injury would spell the end of an athletic career, but for Korinets, it marked the beginning of a new chapter. Following an arduous rehabilitation process, he made the courageous decision to return to sports, joining Ukraine’s Paralympic team.
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“I’ve been playing sitting volleyball since January or February this year,” Korinets revealed in an interview with Ukrainian media. Despite his background in traditional volleyball, he found sitting volleyball presented unique challenges. “I’ve applied the basic skills from classic volleyball to sitting volleyball, making the transition somewhat easier. However, certain habits from the old game can be a hindrance. Mentally, I still feel like I have a leg and instinctively want to move with my feet. But when the ball drops, I have to remind myself to move with my hands.”
“I fought for Ukraine’s independence on the frontlines”
Korinets’ swift adaptation to sitting volleyball underscores his exceptional athleticism and mental resilience. As a newcomer to Ukraine’s national team—competing in the Paralympic Games for the first time in eight years—he approaches this role with the same sense of duty that once drove him on the battlefield. “I represent my country,” Korinets said. “I fought for Ukraine’s independence on the frontlines, and now I strive to enhance its standing, not only in the sports world but globally. I want to see Ukraine prosper and enjoy peace.”
Korinets’ Paralympic debut is more than a personal milestone; it’s a powerful symbol of Ukraine’s resilience. Although the Ukrainian team faced a tough loss against Iran in their opening match, Korinets remains undeterred. His participation in the Paralympics is a vivid reminder that Ukraine’s battle for its future isn’t confined to the frontlines; it’s also being fought on the sports field.
Korinets is also a strong advocate for sports as a means of recovery and purpose for fellow veterans. “Every veteran should engage in sports,” he advises. “War leaves a deep imprint—it’s like the most addictive drug in the world, fueled by the adrenaline of combat. Sports provide a similar rush, offering a way to experience those intense emotions again and continue my battle for Ukraine.”
As Korinets competes in the Paralympic Games, he carries with him not just the hopes of his team but the indomitable spirit of a nation still fighting for its independence. His story is one of extraordinary courage, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to representing Ukraine with honour and determination on the global stage.
