In the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, Maria was a promising badminton player and also trained children in the sport.
The university where she studied was partially destroyed in the war and in March she fled the country.
A friend in Uppsala helped her come to Sweden.
IFK Umeå badminton has a great shortage of female coaches and when they got in touch with Maria, she got on the train the next morning.
- Now we have at least one woman and nine male coaches, says Anngerd Sjöström at IFK Umeå badminton.
Grateful for the support
The association has helped her with food and accommodation and now she gets a paid coach in the club.
Maria describes what support she has received from everyone she has met since she came to Sweden.
- It is among the best people I have met in my life, says Maria Kholodna.
IFK Umeå badminton tries to arrange all the paperwork needed for her to stay and also hopes that she will flourish in the club as a player.
- We need her both as a player and coach, says Anngerd Sjöström.