'War is like boxing: fight and win'. Story of world champion fighting near Pokrovsk
Roman Vlasenko, world champion and soldier of the 110th Brigade (photo: provided by the speaker)
Roman Vlasenko has dedicated his entire life to martial arts, representing Ukraine in international competitions. Now, he is defending his country on the Pokrovsk front as part of the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade. He talks about his sporting and military life, his first injury, and his life plans "after the war" in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
11-time world champion
Roman was born in Germany, but his parents eventually moved to Chernihiv, where they enrolled the 10-year-old boy in a hand-to-hand combat class. He devoted the next seven years to this martial art, winning adult-level competitions twice. However, at 17, he switched to a new coach and shifted his focus to kickboxing.
"I started competing in championships in Ukraine, Europe, and other countries. At 20, I became a world champion. From 2004 to 2008, I was part of the national team and won several championships. In total, I represented the national team for 12 years, then left, but I continued competing unofficially," Roman shares.
He takes great pride in his achievements, having won the world kickboxing championship 11 times in the full-contact category. Over the years, he also participated in boxing competitions, where he defeated opponents from Belarus.
Roman notes that Ukraine's boxing school is quite strong, and he personally knows many talented boxers from the Chernihiv region who continue to represent the country in international competitions.
Photo: Roman Vlasenko has devoted his entire life to sports and participated in competitions around the world
Eventually, Roman became a coach, passing on the experience he had gained during his nearly 20-year kickboxing career to new athletes.
From Chernihiv to Pokrovsk: Road to combat
On the first day of Russia's full-scale invasion, Roman immediately joined the defense of his native Chernihiv, serving in an electronic warfare unit that protected Ukrainian soldiers from enemy drones. It was there he first encountered the Buryat forces, notorious for looting local communities in the Chernihiv region. Later, he was transferred to another brigade operating in the Zaporizhzhia direction, near the villages of Robotyne and Verbove.
Four months ago, Roman joined the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade. Initially involved in electronic warfare, he recently sustained a minor injury and spent some time in the hospital. He is now part of the commandant's platoon.
Despite his military duties, Roman has managed to participate in two kickboxing competitions in Türkiye and Germany during his service.
Photo: Roman managed to take part in foreign competitions during his service
Moments before battle are like boxing match
"There have been different moments. There was fear, but it helps when you mentally prepare when you fight with yourself and the enemy. You focus on the result. War is like boxing – you need to fight your fear and win," says Roman.
He draws parallels between combat and sports competitions, where the adrenaline rush focuses a fighter solely on victory. He also emphasizes the importance of teamwork, highlighting how soldiers rely on each other for support and protection.
Roman faced his first intense battles in the Pokrovske direction, where enemy drones dropped dozens of explosives on his position daily. He describes holding the line in the areas of Arkhanhelske, Keramika, and Progres, enduring continuous enemy tank fire.
Photo: Four months ago, Roman joined the ranks of the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade
However, his physical training helped him in tough moments, allowing him to swiftly change positions and carry extra ammunition. His experience as a coach proved valuable during missions, as he motivated other soldiers to keep going, no matter how difficult it got.
"There was a young guy with me, and I motivated him. He was not into sports at all, weighing just 47 kg, and only 24 years old. He struggled, but he kept going. I told him, 'Go, I’m going, and you go too.' And he's now become one of the best soldiers, doing his combat duties very well," Roman recalls.
After more than two years of full-scale war, the professional athlete, who had never been involved in military service before, says the army has taught him strict discipline, though it was hard to adjust at first.
There's room for every athlete in 110th brigade
Recently, Roman visited the Svitlovodsk community in the Kirovohrad region for a charity master class and called on others to follow his example and join the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
"I told the guys: don’t be afraid and wait until they come for you. It’s better to join us right away. We’ll find a position for you that suits your skills and knowledge. We won’t send you to the infantry if you're a great driver. There will be a personalized approach for everyone," Roman explains.
He says the army now needs motivated fighters who are focused on defeating the enemy. Once that determination is there, most fears will dissipate. Roman believes that members of the sports community could follow his lead and join the military, especially since most of them are in good health.
Video: Roman Vlasenko, a fighter with the 110th Brigade, is fighting for Ukraine's independence on the battlefields of the Pokrovsky Front (facebook.com/110separatebrigade)
Looking to the future, Roman says that after the war, he would be willing to continue serving in the 110th Brigade. He envisions creating a dedicated sports company or training center within the brigade to prepare future recruits.
"I stood under our flag 11 times, with our anthem playing. The flag rises, and you get that sense of pride that you helped make that happen, that you’re promoting our country. But it’s a bit different now: we’re defending it. Everyone defends it in their own way, and everyone needs to find their place where they feel comfortable. That’s how we’ll build a strong army," Roman concludes.
