Mykola Kovalchuk Presents Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a Unique WBC Championship Belt
On August 25, 2026, in Kyiv, WBC Ukraine President Mykola Kovalchuk presented Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a personalized World Boxing Council (WBC) championship belt. The award was a gift from WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, symbolizing support for Ukraine and its people.
President Zelenskyy also received the original painting Invasion of Ukraine by American artist Andres Valencia, created in 2022 in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
A Personalized WBC Championship Belt for Volodymyr Zelenskyy
The belt was specially designed for the President of Ukraine, preserving the iconic green-and-gold design of the World Boxing Council’s championship belts.
The central plate features the inscription World Champion, while one of the side plates displays a portrait of Volodymyr Zelenskyy alongside portraits of WBC President Emeritus Don Jose Sulaiman and undefeated world champion Floyd Mayweather.
The personalized belt is an honorary WBC award symbolizing the international boxing community’s solidarity with Ukraine and recognition of the Ukrainian people’s resilience during the full-scale war.
WBC Ukraine President Mykola Kovalchuk personally presented the award to Volodymyr Zelenskyy on behalf of Mauricio Sulaiman.
“Invasion of Ukraine” — Andres Valencia’s Painting About the War in Ukraine
Another gift from WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman was the original painting Invasion of Ukraine by American artist Andres Valencia.
The artwork was created in 2022, when the artist was just ten years old. It was inspired by news reports and images of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Through his painting, Valencia expressed his personal perception of the war, seeking to draw attention to the tragedy experienced by the Ukrainian people, Russian aggression, and the resilience of Ukrainians.
Andres Valencia’s work has gained international recognition, and his artistic style is often compared to that of Pablo Picasso.
The presentation of the original painting to Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a symbolic gesture of solidarity and support for Ukraine from Mauricio Sulaiman.
WBC Continues to Support Ukraine
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the World Boxing Council has consistently expressed its support for Ukraine and condemned Russian aggression.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman and WBC Ukraine President Mykola Kovalchuk continue to strengthen international cooperation aimed at expanding Ukraine’s presence within the global boxing community.
The presentation of the personalized WBC championship belt and the painting Invasion of Ukraine marked another expression of this support, bringing together sport and art around a shared message of solidarity with Ukraine and its people.
