Slava Ukraini: Wrestling with War

Iurii Kalinin’s family is originally from Ukraine. They moved to Russia for five years before coming to the United States looking for a better opportunity. (Courtesy of Kalinin Family)

BY BRANT PARSONS — The day before the 2022 FHSAA wrestling region tournaments started, halfway across the world, Russia invaded Ukraine.

The news that shook the world also profoundly affected one Florida wrestler getting ready for his very own region tournament - Jefferson's Iurii Kalinin.

Kalinin lived his first eight years in an eastern Ukrainian village about 10 kilometers from the Russian border.

Both of his parents are Ukrainian and while Iurii enjoyed growing up in the village, his family moved to Moscow where he lived the next five years before his family immigrated to the United States.

News of the invasion rocked Kalinin.

"I had so much grief for my nation," Kalinin said. "My bloodline is there, my grandparents still live there, I was depressed. We also knew how bad Russia could be."

"I was emotional and didn't think I could wrestle," Kalinin said.

Stunned by what was happening in his homeland, Kalinin stumbled in a 5-2 first-round loss to Immokalee's Mike Tironne in the 195-pound weight class at Region 2A-3.

Kalinin battled back though, winning his next three matches in the consolation bracket before coming one match short of the state tournament with a loss in the blood round.

"He was having a hard time focusing at first and I think staying with the team at the hotel room helped," Jefferson coach Adam Altuzarra said. "The team did a great job of being there for him and after hanging out and relaxing, he was a completely different wrestler on the second day."

Immigration Story

At age 13, Kalinin’s father decided that he wanted to move his family to the United States. and so they left Russia for Ohio.

Originally named Yurii, a mishap at U.S. Customs caused the spelling of his name to be changed to Iurii.

That was the name that went on his passport and is the official spelling now.

It was in Ohio where Kalinin first learned to speak and write English at a school designed to welcome international students.

He then enrolled at his districted public high school, which had a strong wrestling program and a teacher found him in a PE class and asked him to try the sport.

It was love at first sight.

"It was an interesting kind of sport," Kalinin said. "It was more special, had more discipline, and was more powerful mentally and physically."

"It changed my life completely," Kalinin said. "I started watching my diet, what I ate, and sleeping."

Before his junior year, Kalinin's family moved to Florida. They were looking to buy a house and were attracted to the sun and waters of Florida.

Iurii Kalinin fell in love with wrestling at his first-ever practice and is looking to finish his high school career with a trip to Kissimmee. (Photo Courtesy of Jefferson Wrestling)

New Experiences

Kalinin is also an avid chess player and found similarities between the game and wrestling.

"You have to think a lot," Kalinin said. "You need to watch for the open spot and watch for his mistake. You also make a strategy before the match and know what you want to do at the beginning."

Kalinin thinks his chess background also gives him an advantage on the mat.

"Because of the way you think, I think further ahead than my opponents because of chess," Kalinin said.

The senior is hoping to use this to his advantage more this season when wrestling season begins, but first, he's playing another new sport - football.

A football coach wanted him on the line and Kalinin agreed to try it, despite not knowing anything about the sport.

"He had never played football before but all the guys he worked with on the mat from football said they'd take care of him on the football field," Altuzarra said. "He didn't understand the plays or how he was supposed to play so (teammate) Carmine Morton would tell him what he needed to do each play and he'd do it."

His first varsity game on the offensive line was last Friday night.

"In football, there's people behind you that you have to protect," Kalinin said of what he likes about football. "It's also a different kind of power and that will affect my wrestling style."

Iurii’s bond with his teammates extends beyond the wrestling room, they also have helped him take on a new sport - football. (Courtesy of Jefferson Wrestling)

Once the football season is complete, Kalinin is excited to hit the mat for his final high school year of wrestling.

"I want to show my new skills," Kalinin said. "I'm quicker. I have more energy. I want to show it to the people."

All the while his mind and heart continue to focus on his homeland. Just as he has found confidence in himself on the mat and on the football field, he remains hopeful for his family and the Ukrainian community.

“I know how bad Russia can be but they have the support of all the nations," Kalinin said. "I believe in Ukraine."