At the age of 81, the heart of the esteemed Ukrainian karate coach, Valeriy Mykolaiovych Zykov, has stopped beating. He was also the first head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Odessa City Council.

Valeriy Zykov dedicated a significant part of his career to physical culture and sports, training and mentoring young athletes in Odessa. He served as the head of the city sports committee and worked as the first deputy of the regional sports committee from 1992 to 1998. From 1999 to 2005, he led the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Executive Committee of the Odessa City Council.

Since 2005, he worked as a coach-educator at the “Shield” sports club, and in 2023 he became the director of the Comprehensive Children and Youth Sports School No. 15.

Throughout his coaching career, he nurtured numerous athletes who achieved high ranks, including international masters of sports.

His students will always remember him as a wise, kind, and reliable mentor.

The Odessa City Council and the local sports community extend their heartfelt condolences to Valeriy Mykolaiovych's family during this difficult time.