Indomitable eight-year-old Ukrainian gymnast shines in tournament despite losing leg to Russian shelling

Young athlete Oleksandra Paschal participated in the competition organized by Anna Rizatdinova, the bronze medalist of the 2016 Olympics.

On her Instagram page, Rizatdinova expressed her admiration for Oleksandra's strength of spirit:

"We all need role models; for me, Oleksandra Paschal is a perfect example. She is an incredibly determined, strong, purposeful, and genuine girl. Sasha truly embodies the unbeatable spirit of Ukraine. Thank you so much for performing at our first tournament – it is an honor for me," Anna wrote.

In May of 2022, amidst a Russian missile attack, the young girl was caught in the destruction of a leisure facility in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district. As a result, she sustained severe injuries, including broken bones and numerous shrapnel wounds, and unfortunately became paralyzed due to leg injuries.

The girl was in a medically induced coma for 15 days, and after months of treatment, she underwent rehabilitation in Austria, where she learned to walk again after prosthetics.

Despite all the challenges, she keeps thriving in sports, inspiring many with her unwavering determination and zest for life. Her participation in the tournament served as a powerful testament to her remarkable resilience.

Last year, seven-year-old Oleksandra Paskal, who lost her leg during the Russian missile attack on the Odesa region, took part in her first competition.