Born in Ukraine 2. IVAN PIDDUBNYI. Episode 4

He inherited incredible strength from his father and a music talent from his mother. In his passport, he corrected the last name of “Poddubnyi” to “Piddubnyi” and nationality from “Russian” to “Ukrainian”. Ivan Piddubnyi is a legendary wrestler and a six-time world champion.
Since childhood, Ivan was used to hard peasant work. At 17, he left for the Crimea to earn some money where he worked as a freight handler. He became interested in weight-lifting, started working out and participating in various entertainment tournaments.
This is how his career of circus wrestler started; in five years, it became a champion’s career. In Paris, Ukrainian athlete obtained his first title of world champion in what is now known Greco-Roman wrestling.
In five years, a strongman from Poltava region won six world championships. He stood out not only because of his strength and technique but also due to his exceptional honesty and conscience. For example, in late 1920s he did not accept lucrative American citizenship and during World War II adamantly refused to travel to Germany as a coach: “I am a Ukrainian wrestler and will stay so.”
Ivan Piddubnyi spent the last years of his life forgotten by everyone and in poverty, forced to exchange his medals for bread.
Now Ukraine is correcting the outrageous ingratitude of the Soviets and restores the glory of an outstanding Ukrainian, “champion of champions” who became a symbol of unbreakable strength of Ukrainian people.

Видео Born in Ukraine 2. IVAN PIDDUBNYI. Episode 4 канала FILM.UA Group