B.C. Ukrainian woman’s quest to grow Jamaican karate continues in spite of Russian invasion

A B.C. Ukrainian Canadian woman's quest to grow the sport of karate in her husband's home country of Jamaica have been slowed but not stopped by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A Ukrainian woman living in Vancouver is trying to grow the sport of karate in her husband’s birth nation of Jamaica but has had to put those plans on hold as the war in her home country rages on.

Valentyna Zolotarova, born in Odesa, Ukraine, living in Vancouver, and competing for the Jamaican national team, is trying to help Jamaica Karate retain its sports federation status.

She tells Global News her focus is on friends and family directly impacted by the Russian invasion.

“When I first started the fundraiser I had a lot of confidence that I would be able to put all my energy into meeting the demand of it,” Zolotarova said.

“My heart broke into a million pieces on February 24th. I have continued all my responsibilities with the focus of a zombie over the past few weeks while worrying for my loved ones back home,” she said.

Some of her family have managed to cross the border into other countries, which has been a small source of comfort.

However, Zolotarova said there are other athletes she knows who have remained behind — many of them involved in the army or trying to help in other ways.

“We always say politics should be out of sport but at the same time, there are situations in life where athletes have no choice but to be involved. Even if you choose to do or say nothing, it has consequences,” she said.