What Usyk's Victory Means
An interview with Ukrainian boxer Marina Karlash
I first met Marina Karlash at “Gentleman’s Gym and Fight Club” in Kyiv.
The gym owner and coach Dimitriy walked me to a window by the boxing ring and pointed to where he watched Russian missiles descend upon his city.
This day, my son Honor Phillips was interviewing Marina for a documentary series we are developing called Ukraine Story Anthologies. Honor’s a Muay Thai fighter and it was natural to include shots of her demonstrating punches while he held mitts.
From the beginning it was clear that Marina has the qualities we often find from the women of Ukraine’s athletic corps - intensity, determination, resilience, and faith coupled with a distinctively feminine spirit.
Marina’s story is also a love affair.
Married just a few months prior to Dima Karlash, a church youth leader turned front line soldier, Marina found herself in a position that many Ukrainian wives have endured - never ending months of separation.
In the trenches Dima wrote the lyrics for a song for Marina. His friend David Kozirkov wrote the music and released the track.
From home Marina wrote beautiful notes to her husband which she sometimes posted to Instagram as encouragement to all Ukrainian wives:
“I want to tell you…you are an incredibly strong and courageous man! I am so proud of you. Even when it is unbearably hard and painful - you don’t stop. You are always in the forward! I thank you for your courage, determination, thirst for Victory! You are the one who protects us! Long forgotten about your own peace, sleep, warmth, comfort. You are the one who shows by your example what a real Man should be! You are the one who, despite all your hard work, can still be the kindest, most caring husband for me!…I am so thankful to God for you! …Know that I am waiting for you at home.
Later this year I learned that Dima had been hospitalized after a Russian strike.
It was a dark moment for Marina, but ended happily. She wrote:
“God miraculously saved his life. He got a concussion. The landing was where they were working. He was swept away by the wave from the explosion and a brick flew into his head. But thank God he is alive and his arms and legs are intact.
Love. Separation. Fear. Faith. Hope. Reunion - The story of a Ukrainian boxer turned war bride, making Marina an ideal person to break down the meaning for Ukrainians of Saturday’s world heavy weight boxing victory by Oleksandyr Usyk.
DWP: Marina, do you know Usyk?
Marina: I have met him.
DWP: Marina, I have been very inspired by your own love story with Dima. You were both newlyweds separated for long periods of time. Dima served on the front lines. What do you think Usyk’s victory means for soldiers like your husband?
Marina: A lot. In the current context of war, his achievements on the international stage inspire those fighting for Ukraine’s freedom.
DWP: What does this victory mean for Ukrainians in general?
Marina: Usyk’s victory carries significant symbolic meaning for all Ukrainians. It goes far beyond the realm of sports. It has become a symbol of unity, resilience, and belief in triumph even in the most challenging circumstances. He embodies the resilience of Ukrainians. His victories remind us that through hard work, discipline, and faith in oneself, any obstacles can be overcome.
DWP: His message also seems to speak to people on a personal level.
Marina: Yes, his victory is more than just sports. It is a reminder that Ukrainians can triumph, both in the ring and in life.
DWP: Usyk is a Crimean. He came to the fight wearing a tracksuit with embroidery that presented Ukraine as a unified nation and Crimea as part of that. He seems to use a lot of symbolism which demonstrates national pride.
Marina: Through his performances, Usyk often addresses the world with calls to support Ukraine. This is not just a sports victory but also a message of resilience and courage from the Ukrainian people.
DWP: In addition to being a competitive boxer, you have worked with Champion’s Way, an organization providing spiritual encouragement and athletic opportunities for Ukrainian youth. I know the next generation of athletes in Ukraine are very important to you personally. Do you think Usyk’s victory helps them?
Marina: Yes, it’s a huge motivator for young people. It shows that one can achieve great heights, even when the path is difficult. His career inspires young people to take up sports and aim for new achievements.
DWP: Thank you Marina. Slava Ukraini.
Marina: Heroyam Slava.
DW Phillips is a filmmaker, writer and attorney who directs for Ukraine Story, a foundation for journalism and documentary reporting. He covered the stories of Ukrainian athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
