--- title: "Koshliak names judokas Ukraine is betting on for the 2028 Olympics" description: "Ukrainian Judo Federation President Mykhailo Koshliak named the athletes the organization is counting on for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, highlighting Khalmatov, Savytskiy, and Kurchenko." date: 2026-10-20T08:28:50.781Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukraine-judokas-2028-olympics-hopes tags: [judo, olympics-2028, ukraine, los-angeles, sport] author: "Andrey Kosynko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Koshliak names judokas Ukraine is betting on for the 2028 Olympics ![Two judokas in blue and white kimonos sparring on the mat](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/20/dzyudisty-ukrainy-nadezhdy-na-olimpiade-2028/dzyudisty-ukrainy-nadezhdy-na-olimpiade-2028-1.webp) ## Key Points - Mykhailo Koshliak identified Dilshot Khalmatov, Anton Savytskiy, and Yuliia Kurchenko as Ukraine's main hopes for the 2028 Olympics. - Lesiuk, Khammo, Khalidov, Kolobov, Svidrak, and Balevskyi will also compete for Olympic licenses. - European junior champions Danylo Kravchenko and Khazar Heydarov are seen as pillars of the next cycle, with Heydarov headed to the Youth Olympics in Dakar. - The qualification period for the 2028 Los Angeles Games will take place amidst a full-scale war. President of the Ukrainian Judo Federation Mykhailo Koshliak, in an exclusive comment to [Sport RBC.UA](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/othersport/koshlyak-nazvav-imena-dzyudoyistiv-vid-kih-1792484633.html), identified the athletes the national team is counting on most during the Olympic cycle leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Games. According to him, the country has several experienced judokas with a real chance to qualify for the Olympics, as well as a generation of young athletes shaping the team's foundation for the next cycle. ### Main contenders for Olympic success First and foremost, Koshliak named Dilshot Khalmatov, who has already competed in the Paris Olympics and, according to the federation president, has the potential to reach the 2028 Games. Second on the list of leaders is Anton Savytskiy, who, according to Koshliak, "is showing better and better judo over the years" and is currently in the top 10 of the world rankings. The third key candidate mentioned is Yuliia Kurchenko, familiar with the taste of victory at World Series tournaments, although she is currently recovering from an injury and preparing to return to the tatami. Koshliak emphasized that the federation places the highest hopes on these three athletes, while acknowledging that the list is not yet final. ### The fight for Olympic licenses In addition to the "main" candidates, the federation president listed a group of judokas who will compete for Olympic licenses. According to him, Artem Lesiuk is currently demonstrating good fighting spirit, experienced Yakov Khammo is returning to his usual form, and there is potential in Khalidov, Kolobov, Svidrak, and Balevskyi. According to Koshliak's assessment, these athletes will form the main group of candidates for spots in Los Angeles during the qualification period. ### Youth as the pillar of the next cycle Koshliak also focused on young athletes expected to perform in the next Olympic cycle. This year, according to him, Kharkiv natives Danylo Kravchenko and Khazar Heydarov became European junior and cadet champions. The latter will also represent Ukraine at the IV Youth Olympic Games in Dakar. The federation president noted that the country has won medals at the world cadet championships and had success at the continental level, which allows them to "look to the future with optimism." ### Qualification in wartime conditions The 2028 Olympic Games will take place in Los Angeles, and the qualification period that has begun will be yet another challenge for Ukrainian judokas under the conditions of a full-scale war. The path to the Games will require not only sporting endurance but also organizational resilience, and the national team's roster, according to Koshliak, will continue to be adjusted as qualification events take place. In this context, the potential return of Daria Bilodid to the national team is also being discussed in the media, which could further strengthen the team's composition before the cycle's key events. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Кошляк назвал имена дзюдоистов, от которых ждут успеха на Олимпиаде-2028](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/othersport/koshlyak-nazvav-imena-dzyudoyistiv-vid-kih-1792484633.html) - Source: Exclusive comment from Mykhailo Koshliak listing athletes (Khalmatov, Savytskiy, Kurchenko, Lesiuk, Khammo, Khalidov, Kolobov, Svidrak, Balevskyi, Kravchenko, Heydarov), context of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, and the Youth Olympics in Dakar. ## FAQ ### Which judokas did Mykhailo Koshliak name as the main hopes for the 2028 Olympics? The President of the Ukrainian Judo Federation named Dilshot Khalmatov (a participant in the Paris Olympics), Anton Savytskiy (top 10 in world rankings), and Yuliia Kurchenko (recovering from injury). ### Where and when will the Olympics take place, and how are Ukrainian judokas preparing? The 2028 Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles; the ongoing qualification period will be a test for the team under wartime conditions. ### Which young athletes will represent Ukraine at the Youth Olympic Games? Khazar Heydarov, a European junior and cadet champion, will represent Ukraine at the IV Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.