Ukrainian triathletes continue their impressive form on the international stage, delivering strong performances across two continents this past week — at the European Aquathlon Championships in Spain and the Asian Triathlon Cup in China.

European Aquathlon Championships – Double Top-10 Finish
On May 15, Navarra, Spain, hosted the 2025 European Aquathlon Championships — the first major international event of the season with ranking implications.

Ukraine fielded a competitive lineup featuring Darina Moskalenko, Sofiya Pryyma, and debutant Fedir Bezlepkin.

Darina Moskalenko finished a superb 5th in the women’s elite field.

Sofiya Pryyma crossed the line in 10th place.

In the junior category, 17-year-old Fedir Bezlepkin made a remarkable debut, holding his own among elites and clinching a silver medal in the junior division after a strong swim and a gritty run.

Ukraine continues to make waves in aquathlon: reigning World Champion Maryna Kyryk remains atop the global rankings, Moskalenko now sits 8th, and Pryyma is ranked 17th. Among men, Vitalii Vorontsov currently holds 12th in the world.

Asian Triathlon Cup – Vorontsov Charges to 4th
Two days later, on May 17, the Chinese city of Lianyungang hosted the Asian Triathlon Cup (standard distance), where Ukraine’s Vitalii Vorontsov continued his early-season campaign.

Despite exiting the water in 45th place, over 50 seconds down, Vorontsov used a swift T1 and aggressive bike leg to claw back time. He entered the second transition with the chase group, trailing only the race leaders from China and Australia.

With a blistering run split — second-fastest of the day — Vorontsov surged forward, ultimately finishing 4th, just 24 seconds off the podium.

After recent appearances at the World Cup in Chengdu and Supertri World Champs in London, Vorontsov is now set to return to Europe for the European Cup in Kielce, Poland on June 1.

These performances reaffirm Ukraine’s status as a rising force in international multisport — fueled by grit, talent, and relentless drive.