11-year-old checkers champ raises money for Ukraine army
13:38 JST, August 6, 2022
KYIV — With each double jump and every piece that gets kinged, 11-year-old Valeria Yezhova raises more money for Ukrainian soldiers.
Yezhova, last year’s world checkers champion, is playing the board game on the streets of Kyiv to raise money through donations from opponents and onlookers, and has so far sent the Ukrainian military more than 70,000 hryvnias (about ¥250,000).
On Thursday afternoon, Yezhova set up her table at the entrance of a supermarket. A cardboard sign propped up next to the checkerboard read, “Let’s battle to support the Ukrainian army.”
Passersby stop one after the other to challenge the world champion, only to lose within minutes. The donation box quickly fills up.
Yezhova said she started playing checkers four years ago and began the street matches in July.
It all started when she told her mother that she wanted to do something to help the soldiers fighting to protect their country from the invading Russians. Her mother advised her to help them through something she was particularly good at. Yezhova immediately knew the answer.
Yezhova will face about 50 opponents during her daily two-hour stint. On Wednesday, the military awarded Yezhova a medal as a token of itsgratitude for her support.
Asked about her dreams, Yezhova replied, “An early end to the war, and for checkers to become popular in Ukraine.” With each move of a piece, she tries to get closer to fulfilling both.
Click here to watch the video
"World" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japan-S. Korea Exchange Festival Held in Seoul
-
Historic Change as Britain Closes Last Coal-Fired Power Plant; Transition to Clean Energy Vital for Economy, Human Health
-
G7 Leaders Condemn Iran’s Attack against Israel
-
Ex-DPRK Diplomat Criticizes Pyongyang Over Nuclear Program; Defector Says North Koreans Resent Leader’s Luxurious Life
-
China Indicates Opposition Toward Ishiba’s Recent Visit to Taiwan, Expresses Relief at Takaichi’s Loss
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Harris Widens Lead over Trump to 47%-40%, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds
- Japan-S. Korea Exchange Festival Held in Seoul
- Japan Trying to Draw Digital Nomads, Who Are Seen as Beneficial to Economy, Society
- JICA Employee Suspected of Leaking Info on ODA Project in Manila; Bidding for Railway Renovation May Have Been Impacted
- Asukayama Monorail in Tokyo: Free to Ride!