Klitschko brothers honored as Ukrainian Institute's Persons of the Year (03/20/05)

Klitschko brothers honored as Ukrainian Institute's Persons of the Year

by Helen Smindak
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

NEW YORK - Without throwing a punch, world heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, who retained his title by defeating Danny Williams in Las Vegas last December, KO'd some 400 fans and admirers at the New York Hilton on March 8.

Mr. Klitschko, guest of honor at the Ukrainian Institute of America's 2004 Persons of the Year award dinner, was mobbed during cocktail hour and between courses by guests who surged around him for autographs, picture-taking and a close-up look at the six-foot-seven-inch gladiator.

He graciously accepted bronze medals, one for himself and one for his younger brother, Olympic champion Wladimir Klitschko, who was unable to attend because of a commitment to accompany President Viktor Yushchenko to a high-level meeting in Germany the next day. (Their father, Vladimir Radionovich, Klitschko was also in the Yushchenko entourage.)

It was the first time in the Ukrainian Institute's history that the award has been given to two persons at one time. Previous recipients include U.S. Gen. Nicholas Krawciw, international financier George Soros and Oscar winner Jack Palance.

Affable and poised, the well-tailored Vitali Klitschko remained unruffled all evening despite the demands on his attention, even staying on after dinner to speak with a The New York Times writer who needed information for an April 17 feature in the Times' Sunday Magazine.

At a time when Ukraine has just gained a new president and new prospects for a brighter future, the atmosphere in the Hilton's Trianon Room was charged with electric fervor for two world-renowned Ukrainian athletes who took a personal stand beside Mr. Yushchenko during the Orange Revolution.

Cheers, whistles, standing ovations and rhythmic chanting of "Klitschko, Klitschko, Klitschko" erupted from the dinner throng throughout the banquet.

Nadia Klitschko, who traveled from her home in Germany to attend the homage to her sons, beamed with pride as UIA President Walter Nazarewicz presented two medals to Vitali. Seated with him at the head table were figure-skating stars Oksana Baiul and Viktor Petrenko and Ukraine's Consul General in New York Serhiy Pohoreltzev.

Ms. Baiul and Mr. Petrenko, who attended with his wife, Nina, also were deluged by autograph seekers and photographers during the evening.

"Champions in every way"

Mr. Nazarewicz said the Klitschko brothers "are not just boxing brothers - they are champions in every way."

He cited their work in starting the organization Fund XXI Century, which gives hope and confidence to young and underprivileged sportsmen in Ukraine, and their part in an anti-drug campaign encouraging Ukraine's youth to choose a life without drugs.

Mr. Nazarewicz pointed to the brothers' work with the German Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) program "Education for Children in Need," which brings awareness to the needs and issues of children's education around the world. For their efforts, UNESCO had named the brothers "Heroes for Kids," he said.

Through it all, Mr. Nazarewicz said, "the Klitschko brothers have been vocal about their Ukrainian heritage, educating the world about Ukraine and Ukrainian culture. During the Orange Revolution of the 2004 presidential election in Ukraine, they came to Independence Square to stand for democracy at home."

Mr. Klitschko choosing Ukrainian for his acceptance speech (though he's fluent in English, German and Russian), thanked the institute's board of directors for the high honor accorded to him and Wladimir as Persons of the Year.

He spoke about the Orange Revolution, saying: "The whole world watched the development of events in our country, as Ukrainians fought for freedom and were victorious." He acknowledged the important role played by Ukrainians beyond the borders of Ukraine, especially those in the United States, giving encouragement and support during a trying time in Ukraine's history, and paid tribute to Ukrainian American institutions like the Ukrainian Institute of America, which promote Ukrainian culture by offering numerous programs in Ukrainian arts, history and traditions.

"We feel great pride today, pride that Ukrainians are spoken of as a nation, that we finally stand on our own," he declared, promising that he and Wladimir, as sportsmen, would do everything possible "that every time we get into the ring, Ukrainians can be sure that our flag is the flag of victory."

He ended his address with the salute: "Slava Ukraini!"

Commendations from many

There were commendations and compliments for the Klitschko brothers from Mr. Pohoreltsev, Mr. Petrenko and Ukrainian World Congress President Askold Lozynskyj. Bohdan Budzan, former national deputy of Ukraine and director general of the Kyiv-based International Management Institute, conveyed greetings from Kyiv Mayor Oleksander Omelchenko.

Congratulations and good wishes from New York State Gov. George E. Pataki and First Lady Libby Pataki were extended to Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko by the governor's representative, Julia Parnas.

Ms. Baiul, looking demure and sophisticated at the same time, came up to the podium when she heard Mr. Lozynskyj speak her name during his address, and extended enthusiastic good wishes to the brothers "from me and my husband-to-be, Gene Sunik."

A congratulatory message from President Yushchenko, printed in the banquet's commemorative journal, noted that the Klitschko brothers deserved the esteem and gratitude of Ukrainians in Ukraine and everywhere in the world for their contributions to Ukraine - raising the standards of Ukrainian sport, forming a positive image of Ukraine in the world, and giving support to the Orange Revolution.

Other journal-borne messages came from Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York and Mayor James K. Hahn of Los Angeles, as well as Ambassador Valeriy Kuchinsky, permanent representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, and Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S. Mykhailo Reznik.

Among numerous dignitaries and Ukrainian community leaders in attendance were Maryland Sen. Joseph Tydings and Commissioner Jonathan Greenspun of the New York City's Community Assistance Unit.

Guests were served a slice of Ukrainian history and tradition at the outset of dinner when the Syzokryli Dancers of New York presented their dramatic "Welcome Dance," the finale spotlighting three Ukrainian girls carrying bread and salt on embroidered ritual cloths.

During dinner, visual biographies of Vitali and Wladimir as youngsters and as fighters in the ring were shown via color slides and video on a mammoth screen.

Proceedings were emceed by Roman Bejger. Soprano Anna Bachynsky and tenor Roman Tsymbala sang the American and Ukrainian anthems and the prayer "Otche Nash," and led the audience in singing "Mnohaya Lita" - once for the Klitschko brothers and once for their mother.

Most winning siblings

During their careers, the Klitschko brothers have attained a combined 78 wins and five losses for a total of 73 TKOs, making them the most winning siblings in heavyweight boxing history. They are also the tallest in the division, Vitali at 6 feet 7 inches, Wladimir at 6 feet 5 inches.

Vitali, 33, who lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Natalia, and their two children (their third child is due later this month), was named a Hero of Ukraine by President Kuchma when he came out victorious from his December 2004 bout with Danny Williams. Known in the boxing world as "Dr. Ironfist," he earned the WBC belt earlier in 2004 when he triumphed over Corrie Sanders in Los Angeles.

Wladimir, 28, currently the World Boxing Association's intercontinental champion, whose nickname is "Dr. Steelhammer," won gold for Ukraine at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

The brothers have assisted in the renaissance of Kyiv by contributing to the restoration of the gold-domed St. Michael's Sobor (destroyed by Stalin), the restoration of the corner building behind the National Opera and the opening of the Arena Sports Club.

The two hold Ph.D.s in sports sciences from Kyiv State University and have co-authored an award-winning best seller "Our Fitness," revealing their secrets of strength, speed, coordination, stamina and agility. The book includes a special section on fitness for women by Natalia Klitschko. The brothers are fans of parasurfing and bungee jumping, hold pilots' licenses for helicopters and excel at the game of chess. Both appeared in the Hollywood blockbuster movie "Ocean's 11."

Though born in Central Asia (Vitali in Kyrgysztan, Wladimir in Kazakstan) as their father's military pilot duties took the Klitschko family from one post to another, the two are Ukrainian citizens and were officers in Ukraine's army until 1996. They were transferred to the reserves when they moved to Germany to take advantage of sports facilities not available at the time in Ukraine.

The family history is said to go back to Kozak times and a Kozak otaman (leader) who earned the name Klychko (from which the spelling Klitschko is derived) when his blood-curdling cry startled advancing Turks, allowing the Ukrainians to regroup and conquer the Turkish forces. The Kozaks renamed their leader Klychko from the Ukrainian word "klych" - shout or call.

The Ukrainian Institute of America bestows the Person of the Year Award on individuals who make significant contributions to the promotion of Ukraine, Ukrainians and Ukrainian culture, and to the betterment of Ukrainian society. It may be given to individuals of Ukrainian or non-Ukrainian ancestry.

The medals presented to the Klitschko brothers, designed and executed by 18-year-old Volodymyr Zhuravel of Kyiv, show Ukrainian Institute of America founder William Dzus on one side and a replica of the landmark institute building on the other.

During his brief stay in New York, Vitali Klitschko gave interviews to New York Post columnist Cindy Adams and other news people, joined Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard at a viewing of NBC's new boxing series "The Contender" (Stallone and Leonard have asked him to appear in their new series), and found time to visit the Ukrainian Institute of America building at Fifth Avenue and 79th Street.

He viewed an exhibition of Klitschko photos taken by Yaroslav Kernitski, chatted with Mr. Nazarewicz and a group of institute directors, and signed the visitors' book before departing for Los Angeles to begin an eight-week training session for his next fight - a match vs. Hasim Rahman at Madison Square Garden. Originally scheduled for April 30, the bout has now been postponed to some time in June due to a thigh injury suffered by Mr. Klitschko.

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