PARIS: Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak, who sported an insignia linked to the invasion of Ukraine on a medals podium, was blasted for his “shocking behavior” on Sunday.
Kuliak’s shirt had the letter ‘Z’ prominently placed as he stood next to Ukraine’s Kovtun Illia, the gold medallist at a Gymnastics World Cup event in Doha.
The ‘Z’ has been seen daubed on Russian tanks and vehicles in Ukraine and has come to symbolize support for the invasion.
Kuliak had won the bronze medal on Saturday.
“The International Gymnastics Federation confirms that it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to open disciplinary proceedings against Ivan Kuliak following his shocking behavior at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar,” a statement from the ruling body said.
It had already been decided that from Monday all Russian and Belarusian gymnasts will be banned from future competitions.
Russian gymnast’s Ukraine invasion symbol blasted as ‘shocking’
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Russian gymnast’s Ukraine invasion symbol blasted as ‘shocking’
- The ‘Z’ has been seen daubed on Russian tanks and vehicles in Ukraine and has come to symbolize support for the invasion
Fight week begins in Riyadh for Ring V: Night of the Samurai
- In Saturday’s main event at the Mohammed Abdu Arena, undisputed super bantamweight world champion Inoue defends his titles against Mexican challenger Picasso in a 12-round showdown
RIYADH: Fight week activities for Ring V: Night of the Samurai officially began on Tuesday at Boulevard City, launching the countdown to one of Riyadh Season 2025’s headline boxing events.
At the opening grand arrivals event at the Global Theater, several international fighters walked the red carpet, including Reito Tsutsumi, Leobardo Sanchez, Taiga Imanaga, Eridson Garcia, Willibaldo Garcia, Kenshiro Teraji, Junto Nakatani and Sebastian Hernandez, before the arrival of main-event fighters Naoya Inoue and Alan Picasso.
In Saturday’s main event at the Mohammed Abdu Arena, undisputed super bantamweight world champion Inoue defends his titles against Mexican challenger Picasso in a 12-round showdown.
The fight card features five bouts in total, including an IBF super flyweight world title contest between Mexico’s Garcia and Japan’s Teraji, as well as Nakatani’s debut at super bantamweight against unbeaten Mexican Hernandez.
Fight week continues on Wednesday with open workouts for fans and media, while the event will be broadcast globally on DAZN, with exclusive coverage in Japan on Lemino.
