This artifact has become one of the most significant and emotionally powerful items added to the collection of the Museum of Free Belarus. The silver medal from the World Kickboxing Championship belonged to renowned Belarusian athlete Ivan Hanin and symbolizes not only his personal achievements but also the deep solidarity of the sports community with the people of Belarus and Ukraine.

After the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, Ivan Hanin decided to put his award up for the charity auction World Sports For Ukraine. The purpose of the auction was to raise funds to support war victims, and the athlete’s gesture became a vivid example of personal responsibility and civic stance. The medal was purchased by an anonymous participant for 7,100 USD, who expressed the wish to donate it to the Museum of Free Belarus, making this symbol accessible to the wider public.

On July 27, 2022, at the official opening ceremony of the museum, Ivan Hanin personally fulfilled the auction winner’s request and handed over the silver medal to the exhibition. The moment was both moving and symbolic: sport, culture, and history converged in a single act of solidarity, underlining that the struggle for freedom and dignity is waged on all fronts — including through the gestures of prominent individuals.

The silver award was won by Ivan Hanin in 2017 at the World Kickboxing Championship held in Budapest, Hungary. The tournament gathered around 1,400 participants from 60 countries and became a major event for the global kickboxing community. The Belarusian national team achieved strong results, earning 11 medals in total: five silver and six bronze. Ivan Hanin’s medal represents not only sport but also national pride, as it stands as testimony to the high level of the Belarusian kickboxing school.

Today, this medal holds an honored place in the museum’s exhibition and draws visitors’ attention as a symbol of resilience, courage, and support for universal values. It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, culture and sport can be a means of unity, and a person’s individual choice can become a meaningful contribution to the struggle for freedom.