Olympic youth boxer Maksym Galinichev has been killed in the Ukraine war.
The 22-year-old won gold for Ukraine at the European Youth Championship in 2017 and again 2018
He also won the silver medal at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics.
Ukrainian government adviser Anton Gerashchenko confirmed his passing on social media. He wrote: “Maksym Galinichev, 22, European youth boxing champion, died defending Ukraine in Luhansk region.
“Maksym enlisted as a volunteer and came back to the front lines twice after being wounded and recovering.”
Several tributes have poured in for the boxer, who put his career to one side to volunteer for the military last year.
Team GB Boxing wrote on Twitter: “Everyone at GB Boxing is saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Ukraine’s 22-year-old European Youth champion Maksym Galinichev.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Maksym’s friends and family at this devastating time.”
Fellow Olympian Vladyslav Heraskevych also hailed Galinichev for ‘laying down his life’ for Ukraine, adding: “Glory to hero.”
One Twitter user wrote: “rest in peace Maksym Galinichev you are a hero thank you for your life help ukrainian to be victorious by your powerful soul.”
Another added: “Rest in heavenly peace Hero Maksym Galinichev. We are forever indebted. Heroyam Slava”.
And a third said: “Maksym Galinichev, a true hero who died for freedom and to be remembered. Condolences to his family & friends.”
It is believed Galinichev was killed in the Luhansk region of Ukraine and he leaves behind a three-year-old daughter.
Boxing legend Vitali Klitschko, who is now the mayor of Kyiv, has become a symbol of hope in the struggle.
Klitschko, once a heavyweight boxing champion, has 45 wins under his belt and just 2 losses. He won 15 world heavyweight title wins: three by the WBO and twelve by the WBC.
He was the also the first professional boxing world champion with a certified doctorate degree. He officially retired from boxing in 2013 to became the mayor of Kyiv in 2014.
He has been honoured with Ukraine’s highest honour, “The Hero of Ukraine” and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2018.
— This story originally appeared on thesun.co.uk and has been republished with permission