Incredible at 70: Ukrainian professor earns silver at Spanish Judo Super Cup

Tournament with over a hundred participants

The large-scale veterans' tournament, organized by the Koi Judo club together with the Valencian and Spanish Judo Federations, took place in the city of Castellón.

More than one hundred athletes from various regions of Spain, as well as representatives from France, Andorra, and Ukraine, competed on the tatami.

Silver for the Ukrainian professor

Ukraine was represented at the tournament by Yurii Kuleshkov, professor of the Department of Machine Operation and Repair at CNTU (Kropyvnytskyi).

He competed in the 70–74 age category and the up to 73 kg weight category. The professor was one of the oldest participants, demonstrating excellent technique, endurance, and a strong sporting spirit.

As a result, he won a silver medal.

Yurii Kuleshkov (photo: CNTU press service)

Who is Yurii Kuleshkov

Yurii Kuleshkov began practicing sambo at the age of 15 and later developed an interest in judo. He is a Master of Sports in sambo and a Candidate Master of Sports in judo.

He actively takes part in veterans' competitions. In 2016–2017, he won the Veteran World Championships in sambo. He has also earned medals at the Ukrainian Veterans' Championships in both sambo and judo. In 2018, he placed seventh at the European Veterans' Judo Championship in Scotland.

A Doctor of Technical Sciences and professor, he has worked at CNTU since 1980. He is the author of over 250 scientific and educational publications as well as eight textbooks.

His research interests include the development and study of new designs and modern manufacturing and repair technologies for gear pumps, as well as the restoration and strengthening of their components.

Earlier, we wrote that a KRAKEN veteran with an amputation is representing Ukraine at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship.

By the way, watch Roman Bebekh's film about HUR veterans who climbed the Himalayas on prosthetics.