WORLD'S Strongest Man favorite Oleksii Novikov is on a mission to prove Ukraine is the "world's strongest nation."
The 2020 WSM Champion and reigning Europe's Strongest Man enters 2023 as one of the favorites to stop Tom Stoltman from winning his third consecutive title.
But unlike most of his competitors, Novikov faces insurmountable odds on a daily basis as he prepares himself to compete while living in a warzone.
LIFE IN A WARZONE
For over a year, 27-year-old Novikov and his fellow Ukrainians have lived with the cloud of an ongoing war hanging over their heads.
Speaking to The U.S. Sun, he described how just the day before the interview, they had received a message that they would be under missile attacks during the night.
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"And with this news I must go to sleep," he said.
Unfortunately, for Novikov, this is nothing new.
Visibly and understandably passionate about the topic, he said: "Every day civilians die. And we have a missile attack[s] every week.
"Many [of my] friends, many strongmen died [during] this war.
"And of course, you can't adapt [to] the death of one of your friends. And it's very hard."
According to a recent report from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, between February 24, 2022, and March 25, 2023, 8,401 Ukrainian civilians had been killed.
On top of this, another 14,023 had been injured.
The report goes on to state that the "OHCHR believes that the actual figures are considerably higher."
'WE MUST ADAPT'
Somehow, amidst the horror, life must go on for those not directly involved in the conflict.
Novikov explained how "it's our real life," and that "we must adapt" to these "really hard conditions."
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He emphasized the importance of preparing for WSM and achieving "a great result" as he and his fellow Ukrainian competitors, Pavlo Nakonechnyy and Pavlo Kordiyaka, will "represent Ukraine" as the world watches on.
For Novikov, this competition is an opportunity to remind the nation's supporting them of the ongoing conflict - something Kordiyaka also explained when speaking to The U.S. Sun last month.
Novikov said: "It's very important for us, for each country like America, like [the] United Kingdom, and another country [to] support Ukraine. It's very important.
"If these countries don't support us we lose this war and I can't talk with you now.
"And thank you so much for this support - each country who supports us.
"And we must talk about this problem and talk about Ukraine because we need more support because if we have more support we cannot lose so many Ukrainian civilians and soldiers."
"Each soldier is [a] civilian who must take [up] a weapon and go to war.
"And of course, one year ago [they were] civilian[s], but now he must be a soldier.
"And of course, it's a big problem and we cant adapt for this. It's very hard."
'A BIG MISSION'
For Novikov, doing his part for his country has been a priority since day one.
He explained how: "For me I have a big mission and since the first day of the war I want to take weapons like my friends and, to be included to some group who can defend my country."
But he said that he understood that "my mission" is to be influential through his sport.
"And I, of course, want to win because I want to show Ukraine, that it's the world's strongest nation, and my wins will be very important proof of this."
Novikov continued to say how he wanted to support the country's soldiers via his wins, believing that wins can help those on the front line "understand, Ukraine [is the] strongest country in the world.
"And, I make this win, and each person in Ukraine can use this title for him. It's very important for me."
WSM is set to take place in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from April 19-23, with Novikov, Kordiyaka, and Nakonechnyy all set to compete.
But first, Novikov will head to Leeds in the United Kingdom for ESM, which will take place on April 1 where he and Kordiyaka will represent Ukraine.
