The 33-year-old karateka is The World Games reigning champion and five times European champion in his weight class. At the Tokyo Olympics, the lawyer who lives in Lviv won a bronze medal for his country. One March 1st he qualified for The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, USA.
Although his country is at war after the invasion by Russia and Stanislav Horuna serves his country as a regular soldier in his hometown of Lviv, he clarified his situation in an interview with a Polish newspaper: "I have qualified for those Games, so I have the opportunity to participate in this great competition." He firmly believes that he will be able to compete again at The World Games 2022.
José Perurena, President of the International World Games Association and Nick Sellers, CEO of the Birmingham Organizing Committee stated, following a joint meeting: "We will do everything we can to ensure that Stanislav Horuna and as many other athletes from Ukraine as possible can represent their country when we celebrate The World Games from 7th to 17th July in Birmingham, Alabama."
In The World Games Athlete of the Year race 2020, Stanislav Horuna ended as first runner-up. One of the reasons why so many Karate fans voted for the athlete from Ukraine was described by Antonio Espinós, President of the World Karate Federation:
"Stanislav Horuna is not only one of the best athletes in the world. He represents - like many other karatekas do - the outstanding values of our sport. Honor, hard work, respect and kindness.”
Congratulations Stanislav on being named March’s Athlete of the Month, and we’re looking forward to cheering you on in the future!
Read more about Stanislav and previous Athlete of the Month honorees on The World Games website.
