Daria Bobrikova born in Russia, living in Ukraine

Daria Bobrikova (26) was a judoka fighting for Russia until 2019. Due to the war she landed in a very difficult position. She lives in Ukraine and married to judoka Bogdan Iadov in 2020.

The former member of the Russian national team met Iadov at a tournament in Paris in 2019. She is a former Junior Russian Champion and took Russian national medals in each age category. She competed at most European and World Championships as a cadet and junior. In 2018 she became Russian senior champion in her category U52kg. She collected medals at European Cups and after a consistent season she made her debut at the Grand Slam in Tokyo. In 2018 and 2019 she competed at most Grand Slams and Grand Prix events and had a medal fight at the Ekaterinburg Grand Slam.

Bobrikova: “I really wanted to continue competing, but the coaches of the national team and the Russian Judo Federation refused to give me such an opportunity and I did not wait for three years of suspension. Therefore, I was forced to stop actively doing judo. It was my job. I'm not in the military, judo was my occupation. In 2019, when I decided to move to Ukraine, I broke with all structures.

After what has happened these weeks in Ukraine, I cannot to return to the Russian Federation. Now, my homeland is Ukraine, after I got married, I have never been to Russia. Now I am in a position, and I would be happy to help Ukrainian people as a volunteer.

My husband Bogdan and I live in Kyiv in the Goloseevsky district. When Russia started the war, I went to Krivoy Rog to Bogdan's parents and now I am here.

It is a very complex situation, also my friends in Russia are divided. There are friends who take risks knowing how dangerous it is in Russia. Others simply empathize, but are afraid to publicly express their opinion. There are many people who believe in the propaganda that is shown on Russian TV.

In general, I was received very well in Ukraine. Before flying for the first time, I was very worried because I am Russian, and then there was already a war in the Donbass since 2014. Ukrainians are kind people, there are no fascists and nazis here. Now I am learning Ukrainian, but when I don’t understand something, people calmly switch to Russian and communicate with me.

Through my social networks I try to make sure that everyone sees the truth. As for Bogdan and his friends, everything is clear here, they all love Ukraine! None of them wants to see the Russian World here.

Of course our families are worried, crying and hoping that everything will end soon. I really feel the hate for the Russian government that unleashed this war.

Bogdan's family and all his friends warmly welcomed me, for these 2 years I fell in love with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people!”

Daria Bobrikova (26) fought against the world’s best athletes in her class: Distria Krasniqi, Chelsie Giles, Amandine Buchard, Natalia Kuziutina, Natsumi Tsunoda, Charline van Snick, Gefen Primo to name a few World and Olympic medallists.

Ukrainian champion Bogdan Iadov (25) won several youth and senior titles was in two European Championships finals as cadet and junior and claimed a silver medal at the Youth Olympic Games in a final against Hifumi Abe. In 2017 he won his first senior European Open, in Katowice. He took bronze medals at Grand Slams in Baku, Abu Dhabi and this year in Tel Aviv and bronze at the Grand Prix Portugal in January. He is the successor of his friend and judo legend Georgii Zantaraia. Bogdan was part of the international JudoInside team.