A large-scale professional Thai boxing (muay thai) tournament was held in Vinnytsia under the Artan Fighting Series (AFS) promotion. The card featured 11 fights, with nine championship titles on the line. According to the organizers' official results, seven of the nine belts were won by representatives of Ukraine, making this the headline outcome of the event and a confirmation of the high level of the domestic muay thai school.
Main Event: Shelesko Claims the World Title
The centerpiece of the night was the fight for the professional world championship in the 57 kg weight class. In an explosive five-round bout, Ukrainian Dmytro Shelesko defeated Thailand's Khaimuk Khao Phet Si Muang by judges' decision. For Shelesko, a two-time amateur world champion and winner at the World Games, this victory was a logical continuation of his career. The organizers presented him with a special award — an authentic championship belt made in Thailand, which was handed over to the fighter permanently, whereas athletes are usually given only copies.
Co-Main Event and a Fierce Fight for the Belt
In the co-main event, for the world title in the 81 kg category, Ukrainian Yehor Skurikhin put up a tough fight but ultimately lost to Turkey's Kemal Muhsin by judges' decision. This bout was one of the most tense on the card and showed that the fight for world belts in AFS is waged on equal terms with the region's strongest fighters.
Young Talents and Spectacular Knockouts
The night opened with spectacular finishes from Vinnytsia athletes. 18-year-old Denys Dykhtar sent his Thai opponent to the canvas with a knee strike just 10 seconds into the first round, while Sviatoslav Novak ended his fight in the second round with a precise knee strike. These bouts set an aggressive tone for the entire tournament and underscored the depth of Ukrainian muay thai's talent pool.
Seven Ukrainian Champions in a Single Night
A number of Ukrainian fighters became champions in their respective weight classes. Hlib Chaban (71 kg, third-round knockout) and Sofiia Sharoyko (51 kg, fourth-round knockout) won the Ukrainian professional championship titles. Mykola Kuts (57 kg, five-round victory over a Turkish fighter) and Amirkhan Akchurin (76.5 kg, third-round knockout) became European professional champions. Intercontinental championship titles were claimed by Karina Goldysh (52.15 kg) and Bohdan Studnev (63.5 kg). Thus, it was precisely these seven victories that made up Ukraine's contribution to the nine belts contested.
International Recognition
It is worth noting separately that among the European champions at the tournament was also a representative of Finland, Emma Davidsson, which underscores the international character of the competition. IFMA (International Federation of Muaythai Associations) Secretary General Stefan Fox highly praised the organization of the event: "I thank the organizers for a tournament of an extremely high level — I can say with confidence that Europe has not seen anything like it for many years. I wish AFS growth and Ukraine victory. Every day you prove that Ukrainians are the strongest warriors in the world."
The History and Character of the AFS Promotion
The professional ARTAN FIGHTING SERIES promotion was founded with the involvement of veterans of the "Artan" special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, at the initiative of its commander Viktor Torkotuk (callsign "Titan"). The Vinnytsia tournament became a vivid example of how a sports project with a patriotic foundation is capable of staging international fights and elevating Ukrainian fighters to world championship titles.
