The First Warriors Cup in Billiards: Winners and the Tournament’s Significance
The event took place within the framework of the ‘League of the Invincible’ project on April 24-25 at the ‘Zovex’ billiards club. Participants competed in two categories: standing and wheelchair users.
Winners Among Standing Players
- 🥇1st place — Andrii Baglai
- 🥈2nd place — Roman Oliinyk
- 🥉3rd place — Pavlo Luchkiv, Ihor Havryshchenko
The winner among standing players, 23-year-old Andrii Baglai, served in the National Guard of Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion. Initially, he was not accepted into the army due to age and health issues, but with acquaintances’ help, he joined the service. Six months later, he transferred to the 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade (now the ‘Rubizh’ offensive brigade). He defended Ukraine on the outskirts of Bakhmut and was injured in Klishchiivka while evacuating a wounded comrade from a minefield. His colleague stepped on a mine—resulting in amputation, while Andrii suffered a concussion and facial shrapnel injuries. After recovery, he went through more rotations and new concussions, attaining the rank of junior sergeant.
Due to aggravated PTSD and other health issues, Andrii Baglai was deemed unfit for service, so in January 2025, he returned to civilian life, engaging in self-rehabilitation through billiards, gym workouts, table tennis, and volleyball.
Winners Among Wheelchair Players
- 🥇1st place — Valerii Miroshnychenko
- 🥈2nd place — Dmytro Derevianenko
- 🥉3rd place — Vasyl Kuryilovych
Valerii Miroshnychenko is from the Kharkiv region. From 2010 until the war began, he worked as the chief power engineer at an enterprise. On January 31, 2023, he joined the National Guard of Ukraine (5th Separate Slobozhanska Brigade). He is a sergeant and platoon commander, having fought on the Luhansk front near Kreminna and in Klishchiivka on the Donetsk front. He has been awarded for his service, including the Order of Courage III Class. He is married with a 24-year-old son and plans to return to service post-treatment and prosthetics.
Valerii participates in strongman competitions, representing his unit at the ‘Strong Ukraine’ events, boasting an impressive collection of awards. He plans to try out for international competitions.
“This tournament is about more than just competition. It’s about precision over anxiety, concentration over pain, and community that heals. Why billiards? It’s an adaptive sport that helps restore motor skills, improve coordination, and reduce stress and anxiety. Moreover, each shot in the game restores confidence,” says Roman Khimiak, Head of the Department of Sports, Youth and Tourism of the Lviv RMA.
The Warriors Cup is an annual open regional competition in adaptive sports for veterans and soldiers injured or sick due to Russian military aggression. Initially, competitions were held only in archery, but due to the high number of participants, they expanded to several tournaments in different sports. This year, events in wheelchair basketball and indoor archery have already been held. The Warriors Cup in billiards was conducted for the first time. Upcoming events include table tennis, chess, checkers, outdoor archery, athletics, rowing, arm wrestling, swimming, trap and target shooting, along with functional fitness contests.
Video Panorama production Roman KhimiakIvan SobkoLviv Regional State AdministrationLeague of the InvincibleZovexFederation of Billiards Sport of Lviv CityOlga Vedernikova.