Ukrainian powerlifter Dmytro Polovych continues to prove that even the most difficult circumstances do not have to stand in the way of great sporting achievements. The athlete from Mykolaiv, who was born with grade IV cerebral palsy (CP), has already set world records in the deadlift and is currently competing at the GPC World Championships in Pabianice, Poland.
The 2026 GPC World Championships are taking place from October 20 to 25 in Pabianice. The competition program includes powerlifting and individual disciplines such as squats, bench press, deadlift, and strict curl. A separate category is also available for para-athletes.
Dmytro’s Journey into Competitive Sports
Polovych’s story began far from the gym. Dmytro was born with grade IV cerebral palsy. According to his mother, he experienced severe mobility difficulties during early childhood: at the age of two, he was still unable to sit independently or hold his head up.
His family spent years working on his rehabilitation and searching for ways to improve his condition. He underwent numerous rehabilitation programs and only began walking independently at the age of nine. The Polovych family shared details of this period with Suspilne journalists several years ago.
After years of rehabilitation, Dmytro began strength training in 2020. His coach became renowned Ukrainian athlete Anna Kurykurina, under whose guidance Polovych gradually progressed from regular workouts to competitive events.
From His First Workouts to World Records
Early in his sporting career, Dmytro’s results were much more modest. In 2021, when Suspilne reported on his story, the athlete weighed approximately 52 kg and could already deadlift 80 kg. At the time, he trained three times a week for two hours per session.
Polovych’s results continued to improve year after year. In 2025, he reached the international stage and set a world record in the deadlift at the World Championships in Budapest. Dmytro lifted 105 kg at a body weight of approximately 50–56 kg, becoming the first athlete in his category to register such a lift at an international competition.
The achievement was significant for more than just the weight on the bar. It was Dmytro’s first world record at a major international event. The athlete said that during the competition, he felt a sense of responsibility to represent Ukraine and was encouraged by the support of people following his performance.
Dmytro Breaks His Own Record
In August 2026, Polovych raised the bar even higher. At the WPA Western Ukraine Open Championship in Ivano-Frankivsk, he deadlifted 107.5 kg at a body weight of 55 kg.
Dmytro improved his 2025 world record by 2.5 kg. His coach, Anna Kurykurina, announced the achievement, which was also reported by Ukrainian sports media.
At the same competition, Polovych improved his squat result, lifting 70 kg, compared with his previous mark of 65 kg.
The achievement is particularly remarkable given the challenges associated with his condition. According to Kurykurina, Dmytro is a unique athlete who can fully straighten his back during the deadlift despite his severe form of cerebral palsy. She identifies this ability as one of the key reasons his performances attract so much attention.
A New Challenge — The GPC World Championships
Two Gold Medals and New Records at the GPC World Championships
In October 2026, Dmytro Polovych continued his impressive run of achievements at the GPC World Championships in Pabianice, Poland. Competing in the para-athlete category at a body weight of up to 60 kg, the Ukrainian won two gold medals and set two world records.
Dmytro claimed his first medal in the squat discipline. He successfully lifted 65 kg and 72.5 kg, breaking the world record among athletes with cerebral palsy in his category. His 72.5 kg result secured first place.
Polovych won his second gold medal in the deadlift. According to his coach, Anna Kurykurina, this performance also brought him world-record achievements within the GPC federation.
However, Dmytro was unable to complete his planned 110 kg deadlift attempt this time. Nevertheless, the missed lift did not overshadow his overall performance, as he finished the championship with two gold medals and new record results.
Polovych’s performance attracted considerable attention from spectators. His coach, Anna Kurykurina, shared videos from the competition, while fans supported the Ukrainian athlete and praised his determination.
More Than Medals
Polovych’s story is about much more than sporting results. Back in 2021, Dmytro said he wanted to develop, become stronger, and use his own example to show others that a person’s abilities are not necessarily defined by their diagnosis.
Outside sports, Dmytro also works in video editing and runs his own YouTube channel. His life revolves around constant self-improvement: training, rehabilitation, everyday skills, and preparation for new competitions have all become part of his daily routine.
That is why his story extends far beyond powerlifting. Every new record Polovych sets is not just a number on the scoreboard, but the result of years of work by the athlete himself, his family, and his coaches.
A Ukrainian Athlete Whose Story Deserves to Be Seen Around the World
After Polovych set his 107.5 kg deadlift record, Anna Kurykurina announced that she wanted to secure funding for Dmytro to compete at Arnold Classic, which is scheduled to take place in Birmingham in 2027. The coach also hopes to introduce Polovych to Arnold Schwarzenegger and share his story with an international audience.
Many challenges still lie ahead for Dmytro. Yet his sporting journey has already demonstrated how far he has come: from his first strength-training sessions in 2020 to a 105 kg world record, followed by his new 107.5 kg result, all within just a few years.
Dmytro Polovych continues to train, compete, and raise the bar — both literally and figuratively. His story is another example of how Ukrainian athletes can capture the world’s attention even in the face of the most difficult circumstances.
As a reminder, Ukraine has already guaranteed four medals at the U19 Boxing World Championships.