Ukrainian Olympic medalist Greco-Roman wrestler in 2016, Zhan Beleniuk should soon become the first half-breed to integrate the Parliament of his country. He is a candidate for the July 21 elections on President's party list Volodymyr Zelensky. A list largely in mind in the polls thanks to its image as a new political force opposed to old elites.
Zhan Beleniuk grew up in Kiev. He is the son of a Ukrainian seamstress and a Rwandan pilot killed in the 1994 civil war. If elected, he wants to make his election an example of fighting discrimination in a country where racism is a recurring problem.
If he becomes a deputy, Zhan Beleniuk assures that he will take part in all parliamentary sessions and votes in response to frequent absenteeism among Ukrainian deputies. In parallel, he wants to continue his career as a wrestler and hopes to even participate in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.