Oleksandr Abramenko: Key Career Achievements of the Freestyle Skier

Oleksandr Abramenko is a Ukrainian freestyle skier, who claimed gold in men’s aerials at 2018 Winter Olympics. His way to this victory wasn’t short and easy, but the athlete proved his excellence in PyeongChang, becoming the first Ukrainian male athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games in freestyle skiing.

Oleksandr Abramenko was born on May 4, 1988, in Pervomaiskyi, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. He started to train at the age of 10 and at 12, he already made his first jump. He started to compete internationally in 2004. Now, let’s have a closer look at the Oleksandr’s career achievements.

International Competitions

Oleksandr Abramenko poster

In 2005, Abramenko took part in his first World Championships and finished 25th. In 2006, competing at the Junior World Championships, he became a silver medalist in aerials. At 2007 World Ski Championships, he was 14^th, but improved his results at the further compeitions. In 2009, he was 5^th, in 2011 – 7^th, in 2013 - 6^th and in 2015 – 10^th.

Oleksandr Abramenko debuted at the World Cup in 2006. He finished 18^th at the event in Mont Gabriel. He reached his first podium in 2012 Minsk, being a silver medalist. Oleksandr gained his first World Cup victory in 2015 Minsk.

In 2015-16, Abramenko gained the overall title in aerials, becoming the first Ukrainian to win World Cup in aerials or any other freestyle discipline. In total, the athlete won 1 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals at the World Cup.

Also, the freestyle skier competed at Europa and North American Cup. He gained 5 gold and 3 silver medals at Europa Cup events. And, at the North American Cup, his best results were 4^th places in 2004 and 2011.

Winter Olympics

Oleksandr Abramenko poster

Being 17 years old, Oleksandr Abramenko made an Olympic debut in 2006 Turin. He finished 27^th. At 2010 Vancouver, he was placed 24^th . But the situation improved at 2014 Sochi after the athlete reached the Top 10, being 6^th.

However, Oleksandr will remember 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang forever as he claimed his first Olympic gold in aerials there. His victory brought Ukraine the first-ever medal in freestyle skiing at Olympics. After his historic win, the athlete waved the Ukrainian flag and said: “Mom, Dad, I am going to take home something”.

Abramenko admitted that he was surprised to become an Olympic champion: “I am feeling unbelievable. I hoped to take home one medal today but this one, the gold? It makes me so happy”.

In a nutshell, Oleksandr Abramenko has made a considerable progress in the recent years and though he is already 30, he seems to become better year by year. So, it’s highly possible that we will witness his other great victories.