Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk was released after a short detention at Krakow airport in Poland, according to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday.
“I was disappointed by this attitude towards our citizen and champion,” Zelenskyy said after speaking with Usyk on the phone. “Our champion has been released, and he is no longer being detained.”
Zelenskyy shared a photo of Usyk with Ukraine’s Consul General in Krakow after his release.
The 37-year-old Usyk is one of Ukraine’s most famous athletes internationally and has been involved in various projects to support his country during Russia’s invasion.
“A misunderstanding took place. It was quickly resolved,” Usyk said, thanking the Ukrainian diplomats for their “efficient support.” He also expressed respect for the Polish police for doing their job, regardless of his status as a champion.
According to the airport’s border guards, Usyk was detained because he protested after an airline would not let his traveling companion board, and both men refused to leave the gate. Usyk was briefly handcuffed while being taken to the border guards’ police station.
Maj. Jacek Michałowski, a spokesman for the Krakow region Border Guards, told Krakow Gazette, “The two men had their journey canceled by the carrier and had their passenger status canceled.
They did not want to leave the gate when requested, and that’s why we were called in to take care of the situation.”
Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s newly appointed Foreign Minister, stated on X that he was informed about Usyk’s detention. “Such actions toward our champion are disproportionate and unacceptable,” he said. “We’ll send a relevant note to the Polish side.”
Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in May in Saudi Arabia, becoming the first undisputed world heavyweight champion in 24 years. He later announced that he vacated the belt, meaning he is no longer the undisputed world champion.
