Play by the rules to win!

Vitali Klitschko defeated the Nigerian Samuel Peter. This bout was broadcast live and watched by all of Ukraine’s boxing fans on the night of Oct. 11-12. Vitali Klitschko showed all Ukrainians how one’s dreams come true and goals are reached if one sets one’s goal correctly, and sets off to reach it the right, consistent way.

More than three years ago, Vitali Klitschko declared he was quitting boxing because of a serious knee injury, yet even then he didn’t rule out the possibility of returning to the ring. Lots of things have happened since then, including big-time politics, disillusionments, the effort to get his body back in shape after healing the injury – and there was the cherished dream of accomplishing something unprecedented in boxing history, getting the Klitschko brothers to win four heavyweight belts. After scoring his undeniable victory over Samuel Peter on Oct. 11, Vitali Klitschko has taken another step toward making his cherished dream come true, winning the WBC heavyweight title – the third one after his brother Wladimir’s two. The Klitschko vs. Peter bout was important not only for Vitali and his team. In many respects this fight became meaningful for all Ukrainians. Our country, being in a state of inner political chaos, needs such victories, scored by playing by the rules, as never before. Against the backdrop of continuous domestic political squabbles, Ukrainian society is scoring points on the international arena, even if one at a time – something our incompetent political leaders have been constantly – and scandalously apparently – failing to achieve. Perhaps such victories are not the best way to live through this trying period of clumsy governance and inept politicking. It is also possible to assume, however, that these victories are probably the only way to make Ukrainians remember that a competition is won by one who plays by the rules.

What is there to prevent Ukraine from reaching its ultimate goal: the absence of this goal or the inability to reach it?