Participant in the regional “Young Person of the Year – 2026” competition “Leaders of Knowledge” category: Dmytro Pikulin
Dmytro Pikulin is a graduate of the Bakhmut City Council’s Comprehensive Children’s and Youth Sports School No. 1. It was there that he began his journey in powerlifting, earned the title of Master of Sports of Ukraine, won national competitions, and became the European runner-up in the bench press in 2024.
After studying at the Serhiy Bubka Donetsk Regional Sports College, Dmytro returned to the Comprehensive Children’s and Youth Sports School No. 1 as a coach and instructor. This is his first place of employment, where he has been working since 2024.
Due to the full-scale invasion, Dmytro was forced to move from Bakhmut to Kryvyi Rih. Despite the evacuation, he continued to coach children and teenagers both remotely and in person, helping them stay in shape and maintain discipline.
Already in his first year on the job, his athletes won “silver” at the 2025 European Championships and “bronze” at the 2025 World Bench Press Championships, as well as securing podium finishes at Ukrainian championships. At the same time, Dmytro serves as a second-category judge at regional and national tournaments.
Today, he balances coaching, his own athletic career, officiating, and raising a child.