The first official Ukrainian Horting Championship, organized under the auspices of the State Service of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, was held on March 22–23, 2012, at the Palace of Sports in Kyiv, the country's premier indoor sports arena.

PAGES OF HISTORY: From the history of the development of Horting

On March 22–23, 2012, the first official Ukrainian Horting Championship was held under the auspices of the State Service of Youth and Sports of Ukraine at the Palace of Sports in Kyiv — the nation's premier indoor sports arena. The championship marked a historic milestone in the development of Horting as an officially recognized sport in Ukraine, bringing together the country's leading athletes, coaches, referees, and sports officials

Ukrainian Horting Championship Among Men and Women

Duel and Demonstration Categories

Kyiv, Ukraine | March 22–23, 2012

Goals and Objectives of the Championship

The Ukrainian Horting Championship among Men and Women was organized as the first official national championship of Horting following the recognition of the sport by the Government of Ukraine. The championship represented a historic milestone in the development of Horting, bringing together the country's strongest athletes, coaches, referees, sports administrators, and representatives of regional federations for the first national competition conducted under unified official rules.

The primary objectives of the championship included:

promoting and expanding the popularity of Horting throughout Ukraine;
encouraging public participation in healthy lifestyles and martial arts;
strengthening the national system of physical education through Horting;
improving the technical, tactical, and physical preparedness of elite athletes;
providing high-level competitive experience for competitors from all regions of Ukraine;
identifying the strongest athletes for inclusion in the National Horting Team of Ukraine;
preparing athletes for future international championships and official competitions;
improving the professional qualifications and practical experience of certified Horting referees;
ensuring the uniform application of the International Horting Competition Rules;
strengthening cooperation among regional Horting organizations;
promoting the educational philosophy, traditions, and values of Horting;
demonstrating the rapid development of Horting as Ukraine's national martial art and modern sport.

The championship also served as an important platform for evaluating the effectiveness of regional training programs, exchanging coaching experience, and further improving the organizational standards of official Horting competitions throughout Ukraine.

Date, Venue, and Organization

The championship was held in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 22–23, 2012.

The competition took place at the Kyiv Palace of Sports, the largest and most prestigious indoor sports and entertainment arena in Ukraine. Located in the very center of the nation's capital at the foot of Cherepanova Hill, the Palace of Sports has traditionally hosted the country's most significant national championships, international sporting events, concerts, and cultural programs.

Hosting the first official Ukrainian Horting Championship at this iconic national sports venue emphasized the growing recognition and importance of Horting within Ukraine's sports system.

Venue:

Kyiv Palace of Sports
Sportyvna Square, 1
01601 Kyiv, Ukraine

The arena's central location allowed convenient transportation for athletes, officials, coaches, spectators, and guests arriving from every region of Ukraine. The nearby Palace of Sports Metro Station provided direct access from Kyiv's city center, central railway station, and major bus terminals.

Arrival and Accommodation of Participants

Official team arrivals took place during the morning of March 22, 2012.

Athletes, coaches, referees, and official delegations from across Ukraine were accommodated at ARS Hostel, located at:

16 Pechenizka Street
Kyiv, Ukraine

Beginning at 8:00 a.m., representatives of the Ukrainian Horting Federation welcomed arriving delegations and coordinated hotel accommodations. The accommodation process was supervised by Oleksandr Bohdan, who was responsible for organizing the placement of all participating teams.

Accommodation was provided for the official championship period from March 22 through March 23, 2012, ensuring comfortable conditions for athletes prior to competition.

The centralized accommodation of teams promoted communication among regional delegations, strengthened cooperation within the Horting community, and created an atmosphere of unity before the historic national championship.

Registration, Weigh-In, and Mandate Commission

The official Mandate Commission conducted athlete registration, credential verification, and weigh-in procedures at the hotel beginning at 10:00 a.m. on March 22.

The commission carefully verified compliance with all competition requirements and eligibility criteria established by the Ukrainian Horting Federation and the official Championship Regulations.

The Chairman of the Mandate Commission was:

Oleksiy Shylo
President of the Military Horting Federation of Ukraine

The registration process ensured that all athletes met age requirements, qualification standards, documentation requirements, and competition regulations before being admitted to participate.

Competition Organization and Officiating

The championship was organized under the auspices of the State Service for Youth and Sports of Ukraine in cooperation with the Ukrainian Horting Federation.

Overall management of the competition was carried out by:

State Service for Youth and Sports of Ukraine;
Ukrainian Horting Federation.

Direct organization of the championship was entrusted to:

Main Department for Family, Youth and Sports of the Kyiv City State Administration;
Kyiv City Branch of the Ukrainian Horting Federation;
Main Board of Referees.

The President of the Kyiv City Branch was Serhiy Grabovskyi, who played an important role in coordinating local organizational activities and ensuring the successful operation of the championship.

The Chief Referee of the competition was:

Eduard Yeromenko
Founder of Horting
President of the World Horting Federation
President of the Ukrainian Horting Federation

Under his leadership, the championship was conducted according to the International Rules of Horting Competition, ensuring fairness, professionalism, athlete safety, and consistent officiating throughout all divisions.

Participants

The championship attracted more than 400 competitors, making it one of the largest martial arts championships held in Ukraine at that time.

Athletes represented:

23 regions (oblasts) of Ukraine;
the Autonomous Republic of Crimea;
the cities of Kyiv and Sevastopol;
the Republic of Belarus.

Participants included members of regional Horting national teams who had successfully qualified through regional selection tournaments held throughout Ukraine.

The championship showcased the country's strongest adult Horting athletes competing at the highest national level.

Athletes who had reached 18 years of age on the date of competition participated in the adult divisions.

In addition, exceptionally qualified junior athletes aged 16–17 years who successfully completed regional qualifying competitions were permitted to compete under the official championship regulations.

The large number of participating regions demonstrated the rapid expansion of Horting throughout Ukraine and reflected the growing interest in the sport among athletes, coaches, educational institutions, sports clubs, and regional sports organizations.

Athlete Eligibility and Required Documentation

Before receiving official accreditation, every participant was required to submit all mandatory documentation to the Mandate Commission.

Required documents included:

Official team application submitted in the approved format;
Valid Horting Athlete Membership Record Book;
Medical insurance policy;
Proof of eligibility under the official competition regulations.

Only athletes whose documentation fully complied with the championship requirements were permitted to participate.

Competition Uniforms and Protective Equipment

All competitors participated wearing official Horting sports uniforms and certified protective equipment fully compliant with the International Rules of Horting Competition, approved by the World Horting Federation.

The standardized competition attire ensured athlete safety, fairness, and uniformity while reflecting the professional standards established for official national and international Horting championships.

Strict adherence to equipment regulations also reinforced the Federation's commitment to athlete protection, high-quality officiating, and the continued modernization of Horting as an internationally recognized combat sport.

The 2012 Ukrainian Horting Championship became a landmark event in the history of the sport. Beyond determining the country's strongest athletes in the Duel and Demonstration categories, it established a new standard for the organization of national championships and confirmed Horting's status as one of Ukraine's fastest-growing martial arts. The championship laid the foundation for future national and international competitions, strengthened cooperation among regional federations, and played a decisive role in forming the Ukrainian National Horting Team for international representation.

Competition Equipment – Duel Division

The 2012 Ukrainian Horting Championship was conducted in full compliance with the International Rules of Horting Competition, which established detailed requirements for athletes' uniforms and protective equipment. These standards were developed to ensure fairness, athlete safety, professional appearance, and uniformity throughout the championship.

Men's Competition Equipment

Male athletes competed wearing the official Horting competition uniform, which consisted of:

official dark blue Horting shorts featuring the calligraphic "Horting" emblem on the left leg;
dark blue or yellow athletic T-shirt displaying the official Horting emblem on the left chest;
certified groin protector;
mouthguard;
official 10-ounce competition gloves;
optional fabric ankle or knee supports at the athlete's discretion.

Beginning with the second round of the competition, shin and instep protectors ("stockings") were permitted with the approval of the Championship's Chief Medical Officer whenever deemed appropriate for athlete safety.

The standardized competition uniform reflected the identity of Horting as a modern combat sport while allowing athletes to compete safely and comfortably under official national championship regulations.

Women's Competition Equipment

Female competitors participated wearing the official Horting competition uniform consisting of:

official Horting jacket and trousers bearing the Federation's calligraphic emblem on the left chest;
protective chest cups worn beneath a dark blue athletic shirt with an open abdominal design;
groin protector;
shin and instep protectors;
additional protective equipment required under the International Rules of Horting Competition.

The women's equipment standards were specifically designed to provide maximum athlete protection while allowing unrestricted movement during competition. These requirements reflected the Federation's commitment to safety, equality, and professional competition standards for female athletes.

Official Referee Uniform

Professional appearance and consistency among officials were considered essential elements of the championship.

Referees assigned to the Duel Division wore the official judging uniform consisting of:

white long-sleeved dress shirt;
official emblem of the Ukrainian Horting Federation displayed on the shirt pocket;
medium-sized dark blue bow tie;
black dress trousers;
black socks.

Every side referee was equipped with an official referee whistle and was required to accompany all scoring decisions with both standardized hand signals and audible whistle commands. This system ensured clear communication between officials, athletes, coaches, spectators, and the Chief Referee while maintaining the transparency and consistency of officiating throughout the championship.

The professionalism of the officiating team contributed significantly to the smooth operation of the competition and reinforced confidence in the fairness of all judging decisions.

Awards and Official Recognition

Outstanding athletic performance was recognized through an extensive awards program established jointly by the State Service for Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Horting Federation.

Athletes finishing in first, second, and third place received:

official Diplomas of the State Service for Youth and Sports of Ukraine;
official Diplomas of the Ukrainian Horting Federation;
championship medals awarded by the competition organizers.

In addition to placement awards, the judging panel presented special honorary prizes to athletes demonstrating exceptional qualities during competition.

Special distinctions included awards for:

Best Technical Performance;
Outstanding Fighting Technique;
Exceptional Demonstration of Determination and Will to Win.

These honors recognized not only competitive success but also sportsmanship, technical excellence, fighting spirit, and dedication to the ideals of Horting.

National Sports Titles

One of the most significant achievements available to competitors was the opportunity to earn official state-recognized sports titles under the Unified Sports Classification System of Ukraine.

Based upon championship results:

athletes placing 1st or 2nd fulfilled the requirements for the honorary state title Master of Sports of Ukraine;
athletes placing 3rd or 4th fulfilled the qualification requirements for Candidate for Master of Sports of Ukraine.

The awarding of official national sports titles further emphasized the championship's prestige and its importance within Ukraine's national sports system.

Preparation of the Sports Facility

The championship venue was prepared in accordance with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 2025 of December 18, 1998, which established national procedures for preparing sports facilities used for major sporting and public events.

According to these regulations:

responsibility for preparing the sports facility rested with the facility owner;
a special working commission established by the Kyiv Regional State Administration supervised the preparation process and verified compliance with all safety requirements.

No later than four hours before the official opening of the championship, the owner of the Kyiv Palace of Sports submitted an official readiness report confirming that the venue fully satisfied all organizational, technical, and safety standards required for hosting a national championship.

These procedures ensured the highest level of safety for athletes, officials, coaches, spectators, and guests attending the event.

Medical Support

Comprehensive medical coverage was provided throughout the championship in accordance with the Regulations on Medical Support for Mass Sporting Events, approved by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

Medical services were coordinated by:

Ukrainian Center for Sports Medicine;
regional and municipal sports medicine centers;
sports medicine departments of healthcare institutions;
certified sports physicians and qualified medical personnel.

The continuous presence of experienced medical professionals ensured immediate medical assistance whenever necessary and guaranteed compliance with national healthcare standards governing sports competitions.

An experienced sports medicine physician was required to be present throughout every stage of the championship.

The Championship Doctor also served as Deputy Chief Referee, working closely with the organizing committee and officiating staff to oversee athlete health, injury prevention, emergency preparedness, and medical decision-making.

Within the scope of medical responsibility, all decisions issued by the Championship Doctor were mandatory for athletes, coaches, referees, and organizers.

Prior to the competition, the medical team prepared a comprehensive medical support plan covering emergency response procedures, athlete examinations, first aid services, and medical logistics. Following the championship, an official medical report documenting all relevant activities was submitted to the organizing committee.

The integration of medical supervision into the competition management structure reflected the Ukrainian Horting Federation's strong commitment to athlete health, safety, and responsible event organization.

Applications and Registration Procedures

Regional teams submitted preliminary applications no later than March 19, 2012, three days before the championship.

Each application included detailed information about every competitor, including:

full name;
date of birth;
competition weight category;
regional team affiliation;
sports qualification;
best competitive results achieved during the previous year.

The original signed application was submitted to the Mandate Commission upon the team's arrival in Kyiv.

Each athlete was also required to present:

proof of identity;
verification of date of birth;
accident insurance policy;
all documents required under the official Championship Regulations.

Only athletes and regional teams that successfully completed both the preliminary registration process and final accreditation by the Mandate Commission were authorized to participate in the 2012 Ukrainian Horting Championship.

These comprehensive registration procedures ensured the integrity of the competition, protected athlete eligibility, and maintained the high organizational standards expected of Ukraine's premier national Horting championship.

Results of the 2012 Ukrainian Horting Championship

A Historic Milestone in the Development of Horting in Ukraine

The 2012 Ukrainian Horting Championship among Men and Women, held on March 22–23, 2012, at the Kyiv Palace of Sports, became a landmark event in the history of Ukrainian martial arts. Organized under the auspices of the State Service of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Horting Federation, the championship represented the first official national championship following the governmental recognition of Horting as a national sport.

Bringing together the strongest competitors from across the country, the championship demonstrated the rapid growth of Horting and confirmed its status as one of Ukraine's emerging modern combat sports. The event was conducted at the country's premier indoor sports arena and showcased a high level of athletic performance, professional organization, and fair officiating.

National Participation: Final part

Only athletes selected in the preliminary rounds of the competition (the preliminary part of the event) participated in the final part of the Ukrainian Championship. Final part: the championship welcomed 97 elite athletes representing 13 regions of Ukraine, including:

Kyiv
Kyiv Region
Dnipropetrovsk Region
Donetsk Region
Cherkasy Region
Zakarpattia Region
Autonomous Republic of Crimea
Kherson Region
Zhytomyr Region
Poltava Region
Lviv Region
Ivano-Frankivsk Region
Chernihiv Region

Each regional team earned its place through qualifying competitions, ensuring that the championship featured many of the country's strongest Horting athletes.

Exceptional Competitive Level

Throughout two days of competition, athletes demonstrated outstanding physical conditioning, technical excellence, tactical intelligence, determination, and true martial arts spirit. Every match reflected the principles of Horting — discipline, courage, respect, honor, and continuous self-improvement.

The championship provided athletes with an opportunity not only to compete for national titles but also to fulfill the qualification requirements for prestigious state-recognized sports titles under the Unified Sports Classification System of Ukraine.

Following the competition:

14 athletes fulfilled the requirements for the honorary title of Master of Sports of Ukraine.
7 athletes earned the qualification of Candidate for Master of Sports of Ukraine.

These achievements highlighted the exceptionally high standard of competition and reflected the effectiveness of Horting training programs developed throughout Ukraine.

Team Championship Standings

Following the completion of all competitive divisions, the overall team standings were determined based on cumulative results.