On Friday, October 17, Volodymyr Pokhodenko, General Secretary of Ukrainian Judo Federation, honored coach of Ukraine, died suddenly of a heart attack aged 53 years.
Volodymyr Pokhodenko was born on February 5, 1962 in Kharkiv. Upon graduation from Kharkiv University of Physical Education, Pokhodenko worked as a coach in local sports schools and clubs. Upon moving to Kiev, toward the end of the 80s – beginning of the 90s, Volodymyr Pokhodenko worked at the Kiev Sports School of Olympic Reserve “Gart”, afterwards he coached abroad, in China.
Having returned to Ukraine, Volodymyr Pokhodenko started his career in the Judo Department of the Ministry of Sports of Ukraine in the position of leading specialist; from 1996 to 2012 Mr. Pokhodenko occupied the position of the state coach of Ukraine in judo.
Volodymyr Pokhodenko was at the heart of the origins of the establishment of the Ukrainian Judo Federation (UJF), as well as being one of its founders. From 1995 to 2006, and agin in 2013-2014 Mr. Pokhodenko performed his responsibilities as the General Secretary of the UJF.
For many years, Volodymyr Pokhodenko worked in the name of the development of sports and judo in Ukraine. His hard work and efforts, irresistible energy and effectiveness turned out to be one of the driving elements of the further promotion and popularization of judo in Ukraine, as well as achievements of Ukrainian judokas in the international arena.
The European Judo Union extends its sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the Ukranian Judo Federation for this sudden loss. In the memory of the Ukrainian judo community, Volodymyr Pokhodenko will always remain warmly remembered as a reliable friend, a man with a solid position in life and a true professional of his craft.