He is forever 21. Let's Remember the World Pankration Champion Yaroslav Strilets.

Every day at 9 am, Ukrainians honor the memory of all those whose lives were taken by the Russian-Ukrainian war. Today, let's remember Yaroslav Strilets.

On September 11, 2024, Cherkasy athlete, two-Time world champion and multiple Ukrainian champion in pankration, Yaroslav Strilets, passed away in the Russian-Ukrainian war. This was reported by the mayor of Cherkasy, Anatoliy Bondarenko.

Yaroslav Strilets was born in Cherkasy. He studied at the Vergunivka Secondary School. He graduated from the Cherkasy Polytechnic Professional College with a specialization in machine tool maintenance.

Simultaneously, he trained at the Cherkasy Fight Club "Achilles." From 2016 to 2021, he was the constant champion of Ukraine in pankration, a prize-winner of the World Pankration and Grappling Championships in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and the World Champion in Pankration in 2021. Champion of Ukraine in MMA in mixed martial arts. Master of sports in pankration.

Yaroslav Strilets served on a contract basis as a senior group operator. He died courageously fulfilling his military duty, in the fight for Ukraine, its freedom, and independence.

Yaroslav Strilets will forever remain 21.

“In his work - whether in training and competitions, or on the front line - he always showed extraordinary responsibility, striving to be the best and first in everything. He set the highest goal for himself: to become the absolute world champion. But when the Russian hordes invaded his homeland, this dream had to be postponed. And, as it turned out, - forever. In one of the interviews, Yaroslav said: ‘All my fights were tough, and the toughest fight is yet to come’. Unfortunately, this fight became the last one for the hero. Eternal memory and glory to the hero who gave his life for the future of Ukraine!”, - said the Sports Committee of Ukraine in a post.

Glavkom joins the minute of silence. We honor the memory of all Ukrainians who died in the struggle for the Motherland. We remember those who perished at the hands of Russian invaders, light memorial candles, and bow our heads in sorrow during the national minute of silence, honoring the bright memory of the citizens of Ukraine who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of the state: all military, civilians, and children, all who died in the fight against Russian occupiers and as a result of the enemy forces' attack on Ukrainian cities and villages.