Vitali Klitschko facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hero of Ukraine Vitali Klitschko
Віталій Кличко
Klitschko in 2014
Mayor of Kyiv
Incumbent
Assumed office 5 June 2014
Preceded by	Halyna Hereha (acting)
Head of the Kyiv City State Administration
Incumbent
Assumed office 25 June 2014
Preceded by	Volodymyr Bondarenko
Deputy of the Kyiv City Council
5th session
In office April 2006 – June 2008
Constituency	Klitschko Bloc "PORA–ROP"
6th session
In office June 2008 – December 2012
Constituency	Vitali Klitschko Bloc
People's Deputy of Ukraine
7th convocation
In office 12 December 2012 – 5 June 2014
Constituency	UDAR, No.1
Personal details
Born	(1971-07-19) 19 July 1971 (age 53) Belovodskoye, Chuyskaya Oblast, Soviet Union
Political party	Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform
Other political affiliations	Petro Poroshenko Bloc "Solidarity" (2015–2016)
Spouse	Natalija Jehorova ​ ​ (m. 1996; sep. 2022)​
Children	3
Alma mater	Pereiaslav-Khmelnytsky Pedagogical Institute Taras Shevchenko National University National University of Physical Education and Sport of Ukraine National Academy for Public Administration
Signature
Scientific career
Thesis	Методика визначення якостей боксерів у системі багатоетапного спортивного відбору (2000)
Military career
Allegiance	Soviet Union  Ukraine
Service/branch	Soviet Army  Ukrainian Ground Forces
Years of service	1989–1991, 2022–present
Rank	Major
Battles/wars	Battle of Kyiv (2022)
Vitali Klitschko Statistics Nickname(s) Dr. Ironfist Rated at Heavyweight Height 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) Reach 203 cm (80 in) Stance Orthodox Boxing record Total fights 47 Wins 45 Wins by KO 41 Losses 2 Medal record Men's amateur boxing Representing  Ukraine Military World Games Gold 1995 Rome Super-heavyweight World Championships Silver 1995 Berlin Super-heavyweight

Vitali Klitschko is a famous Ukrainian politician and a former professional boxer. He was born on July 19, 1971. Since June 2014, he has been the Mayor of Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine. He also leads the Kyiv City State Administration.

Before becoming a politician, Klitschko was a world-famous boxer. He won many world heavyweight championships. He held titles from the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and the World Boxing Council (WBC). He also held The Ring magazine title. Vitali and his younger brother, Wladimir Klitschko, are in the Guinness World Records. They hold the record for brothers with the most world heavyweight title wins. From 2006 to 2015, the "Klitschko Era" dominated heavyweight boxing. Vitali retired from boxing in 2013.

Klitschko started his political journey in 2005. He ran for Mayor of Kyiv in 2006 and later founded the UDAR party in 2010. He was a key leader in the 2013–2014 Euromaidan protests. He was first elected Mayor of Kyiv in May 2014. He has been re-elected twice since then. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Klitschko became a symbol of Ukrainian strength.

Early Life and Boxing Beginnings

Vitali Klitschko was born in Belovodskoye, Soviet Union. His father was a military officer. As a child, Vitali lived in Czechoslovakia and later in Pripyat, Ukraine. The family moved from Pripyat after the Chernobyl disaster.

Vitali started boxing because other combat sports were banned in the Soviet Union. He also competed in kickboxing and sport karate. He was very successful in all these sports.

Amateur Boxing Achievements

Vitali had a strong amateur boxing career. He won a gold medal at the 1995 World Military Games in Italy. He also won a silver medal at the 1995 World Championships in Berlin, Germany. His amateur boxing record was impressive: 195 wins and only 15 losses.

Kickboxing Success

Klitschko was also a six-time kickboxing world champion. He won amateur world championships twice. He also won professional championship tournaments four times. In 1996, he decided to become a professional boxer. He signed with a German company called Universum Box-Promotion.

Professional Boxing Career

Klitschko with the WBC title in 2011

Vitali Klitschko began his professional boxing career in 1996. He won his first 24 fights by knockout. He and his brother Wladimir became very popular in Germany. They were known for being smart and speaking many languages.

WBO Heavyweight Champion

On June 26, 1999, Klitschko won his first major title. He defeated Herbie Hide to become the WBO heavyweight champion. He successfully defended this title two times.

First Loss and Comeback

In April 2000, Klitschko faced Chris Byrd. Vitali was winning most rounds. However, he had to stop the fight due to a serious shoulder injury. This was his first professional loss. He was later diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff. After this, Klitschko won five fights in a row. This earned him a chance to fight for the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title.

Big Fight Against Lennox Lewis

One of Klitschko's most famous fights was against Lennox Lewis in June 2003. Lewis was the WBC heavyweight champion. Klitschko was not expected to win, but he fought very well. He landed many strong punches. A deep cut above Klitschko's eye caused the fight to be stopped. Even though Klitschko was ahead on points, Lewis won by technical knockout. Lewis later retired, and Klitschko became the mandatory challenger for the vacant WBC title.

Becoming WBC and The Ring Champion

On April 24, 2004, Klitschko fought Corrie Sanders for the vacant WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles. Sanders had previously beaten Vitali's brother, Wladimir. Klitschko won the fight in the eighth round. He became the new champion.

His first defense was against British boxer Danny Williams in December 2004. Klitschko won by technical knockout. He dedicated his victory to democracy in Ukraine. He also supported Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko.

Vitali (right) and his brother Wladimir supporting the Orange Revolution by wearing its colors

Retirement and Return to Boxing

In November 2005, Klitschko announced his retirement from boxing. He had injured his leg and needed surgery. He wanted to avoid keeping the title out of use. The WBC honored him as "champion emeritus." This meant he could fight for the title again if he returned.

He returned to boxing on October 11, 2008. He fought Samuel Peter for the WBC heavyweight title. Klitschko won the fight easily. He showed he was still a dominant force in boxing. This made him one of the few boxers to hold a world heavyweight title three times.

Later Title Defenses

Klitschko continued to defend his WBC title successfully. He defeated fighters like Juan Carlos Gómez, Chris Arreola, and Kevin Johnson. He also beat Albert Sosnowski and Shannon Briggs. After his fight with Briggs, Briggs said, "I've fought George Foreman, I've fought Lennox Lewis, and Vitali's the best."

In 2011, Klitschko fought Odlanier Solís and won by knockout in the first round. He then defended his title against Tomasz Adamek in Poland, winning by TKO in the 10th round.

Vitali became one of the oldest heavyweight champions in history. He and his brother Wladimir achieved their dream of holding all four major heavyweight titles together in 2011.

Final Fights and Retirement

Wladimir and Vitali with every title in the heavyweight division, 2012. Left to right: The Ring, IBF, IBO, WBO, WBC, and WBA.

In February 2012, Klitschko fought British contender Derek Chisora. Klitschko won the fight by unanimous decision. He later said he injured his shoulder during the fight. His last professional fight was on September 8, 2012. He defeated Manuel Charr by technical knockout.

On December 15, 2013, Klitschko officially retired from boxing. He was named "champion emeritus" by the WBC. This meant he could challenge for the title if he ever returned. However, he said his focus was on politics in Ukraine.

Political Career

Vitali Klitschko became involved in politics after his boxing career. He openly supported Viktor Yushchenko during the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election. He was later appointed as an adviser to President Yushchenko.

Early Political Steps

Klitschko first ran for Mayor of Kyiv in 2006. He came in second place. He was elected as a deputy to the Kyiv City Council. In 2008, he ran for mayor again and was re-elected to the Kyiv City Council.

Klitschko with Wilfried Martens, former president of the European Peoples Party.

In April 2010, Klitschko became the leader of the political party Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR). UDAR means "punch" in Ukrainian. The party gained support in local elections. UDAR also partnered with the Christian Democratic Union of Germany.

In 2012, Klitschko was elected to the Ukrainian parliament. He became the leader of his party's group in parliament.

Role in Euromaidan Protests

Klitschko was a leading figure in the 2013–2014 Euromaidan protests. These protests led to a change in government in Ukraine. During this time, he retired from boxing to focus on politics.

Klitschko, leader of the political party UDAR, seen in the crowd on Khreschatyk street in Kyiv, Ukraine on 27 November 2013.

He initially planned to run for president in 2014. However, he later decided to run for Mayor of Kyiv instead. He supported Petro Poroshenko for president.

Mayor of Kyiv

Klitschko won the Kyiv mayoral election on May 25, 2014, with almost 57% of the votes. He was sworn in as mayor on June 5, 2014. He also became the head of the Kyiv City State Administration.

Opening of the Klitschko bridge over Saint Volodymyr Descent on 25 May 2019

In 2015, Klitschko was re-elected as mayor. His UDAR party later merged with Petro Poroshenko Bloc. He became the new party leader. In 2019, he revived the UDAR party.

In the 2020 Kyiv local elections, Klitschko was re-elected for a second term as mayor. He won with over 50% of the votes. He is the longest-serving Mayor of Kyiv since Ukraine became independent in 1991. He is also the only person to win three direct mayoral elections.

Opening of Rusanivets Stadium in Kyiv after reconstruction on 28 October 2019

Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Klitschko near the front line on 19 March 2022

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Vitali Klitschko and his brother Wladimir promised to defend Kyiv. Klitschko regularly updated citizens on the situation in the city. He announced curfews to keep people safe. He and his brother worked to raise money for Ukraine. They raised €100 million in Germany.

Klitschko has spoken to international leaders and media. He has urged the world to support Ukraine. He and his brother attended the 2022 NATO Madrid summit. They explained that the war affects everyone.

Sporting Legacy

Vitali Klitschko is known as a very tough boxer. He was never knocked down in his professional career. His knockout percentage of 87% is one of the best in heavyweight boxing history. He rarely lost a round in his fights.

Both Klitschko brothers are considered among the best heavyweight boxers of their time. They were known for using their large size to control fights. In 2011, they entered the Guinness World Records for having the most world heavyweight title wins as brothers.

The Klitschko brothers were huge stars in Ukraine and Germany. Their fights attracted millions of viewers. Vitali has been named one of the most influential people in Ukraine many times. In Germany, almost everyone recognized them.

Vitali has defeated 15 boxers for world heavyweight titles. This is the fifth-most in history. He is also one of only nine boxers to defeat at least ten different fighters for a world heavyweight title. He is the only heavyweight boxer to be world champion in three different decades.

Klitschko has received many honors. He was awarded the Hero of Ukraine Order of State in 2004. This is Ukraine's highest honor. In 2010, he received the German Cross of the Order of Merit. In 2018, Vitali was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Both Vitali and Wladimir are UNESCO Champions for Sport for their charity work.

Personal Life

Klitschko brothers on a 2010 Ukrainian stamp

Vitali's father, Volodymyr Rodionovych Klitschko, was a Soviet Air Force major general. His mother is Nadiya Ulyanivna. Vitali graduated from a pedagogical institute in Ukraine. He earned a PhD in Sports Science in 2000.

Klitschko was married to Natalija Jehorova, a former athlete and model. They married in 1996 and have three children. In 2022, they announced their divorce.

Vitali has lived in Germany for many years. He is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian, English, and German.

Vitali Klitschko (left) playing chess with Vladimir Kramnik, Dortmund, 2002

Both Klitschko brothers enjoy playing chess. Vitali is friends with former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik. Vitali believes chess is like boxing. He says, "You need to develop a strategy, and you need to think two or three steps ahead."

The Klitschko brothers have been involved in many charitable activities. They support schools, churches, and children. They also agreed to work for UNESCO in 2002. Vitali and Wladimir never fought each other professionally. Their mother made them promise they never would.

Awards and Honors

• In 2010, Klitschko received the German Cross of the Order of Merit. This was for his work in society and politics.
• In 2013, he was given the Georgian Presidential Order of Excellence.
• In 2016, the WBC named him The Eternal world heavyweight champion. This title is for dominant champions who were undefeated and had many successful title defenses.
• In 2022, Klitschko became an honorary member of the European Committee of the Regions.
• In 2022, he won ESPY's Arthur Ashe Award For Courage.

Images for kids

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  Klitschko with Wilfried Martens, former president of the European Peoples Party.

• 

  Klitschko, Poroshenko, Tyahnybok and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, 25 February 2014

• 

  Klitschko with Polish politicians Donald Tusk and Ewa Kopacz, 22 March 2014

Error: no page names specified (help). In Spanish: Vitali Klichkó para niños

• List of The Ring world champions
• List of world heavyweight boxing champions
• List of mayors of Kyiv