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Vyshyvanka, blue-and-yellow makeup, support for Yaroslava Mahuchikh, and learning the Ukrainian language — the story of a fan who supports Ukraine from Tokyo. How a passion for Ukrainian athletics turned into Atsushi Kanaoka’s dream of living in Ukraine.
Those who follow leading Ukrainian track-and-field athletes on social media have surely noticed a bright Japanese supporter of the Ukrainian team. Wearing blue-and-yellow makeup, T-shirts with expressive slogans in Ukrainian, and even a vyshyvanka, he actively supported Ukrainians at the World Championships in Tokyo. And even after the competition, he continues to regularly post about Ukrainian athletes on his Instagram.
Tough Athletics decided to learn more about one of the brightest fans of the Ukrainian national team. Especially since Atsushi Kanaoka — that is the name of our interlocutor — is currently studying the Ukrainian language.
A love story that began in high jump
Kanaoka’s journey into Ukrainian athletics began long before social media made fans visible across borders. His fascination with women’s high jump dates back to his childhood — specifically to the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo.
“I was deeply impressed by Heike Henkel’s performance,” he recalls. “That moment made me fall in love with women’s high jump.”
That same year marked another historic moment: Ukraine declared its independence. For Kanaoka, these two events became unexpectedly intertwined.
“I was already supporting Ukrainian athletes back then,” he says. “From the very beginning of its independence, Ukraine felt like a special country to me.”
Years later, his attention turned to a young Ukrainian high jumper making waves on the global stage — Yaroslava Mahuchikh.
“I’ve supported Yaroslava since 2017, since the World U20 Championships,” he says. “Following her career felt like a natural continuation of everything I loved about the sport.”
Before that, he was also a devoted supporter of triple jump legend Olha Saladukha — a connection that would later turn into a real-life friendship.
Meeting his sporting hero
Although the Tokyo Olympics would have been the perfect place to meet Mahuchikh, the COVID-19 pandemic kept Kanaoka away from the stands. Their first meeting had to wait until earlier this year, at the Tokyo Grand Prix.
“I was in the fan section near the field,” he recalls. “I wore the same eye makeup as Yaroslava and a T-shirt with her image. Even though there were many spectators, she noticed me immediately.”
That moment sparked a friendship that went far beyond a quick fan interaction.
“Thanks to Yaroslava, I met many Ukrainian athletes and coaches,” Kanaoka says. “Now we stay in close contact, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.”
Inside the Ukrainian team spirit
Today, Kanaoka counts numerous Ukrainian athletes and coaches among his friends, including members of the national team who competed at the World Championships in Tokyo.
“I have so many Ukrainian friends that it’s impossible to name everyone,” he laughs. “What matters most is how warmly the team has always treated me. I deeply respect and love Ukraine and the Ukrainian national team.”
For Kanaoka, the World Championships in Tokyo were more than just a sporting event — they were a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“For athletes, the World Championships and the Olympics are the ultimate goals,” he says. “They dedicate their entire lives to these moments.”
“Having the World Championships in my home city was a chance that may never come again. I wanted to give athletes as much energy and support as possible.”
He describes his support not as passive cheering, but as emotional participation.
“When I cheer, it feels like I’m competing alongside Yaroslava and Tetiana,” he explains. “That’s how deeply connected I feel.”
Discovering Ukraine beyond sport
Kanaoka’s connection to Ukrainian athletes naturally led him to explore Ukraine itself — its culture, traditions and daily life.
“I wanted to learn more about the cities where the athletes live, about Ukrainian culture and cuisine,” he says. “And of course, I see every day the challenges Ukraine is facing.”
His response was not just emotional, but practical.
“I try to do whatever I can to support Ukraine and be useful.”
One step in that direction was learning the Ukrainian language — no small task for a native Japanese speaker.
“Ukrainian is difficult for me,” he admits. “There are many sounds that don’t exist in Japanese. But the athletes are patient, they listen carefully and always help me when I make mistakes.”
He now studies Ukrainian weekly with a Ukrainian friend in Tokyo.
“The idea that I can communicate with everyone in Ukrainian makes learning joyful, even when it’s hard.”
Cuisine, culture and a dream of the future
Kanaoka’s immersion in Ukrainian culture goes well beyond language. Ukrainian cuisine has become a regular part of his life.
“I eat Ukrainian food about twice a week,” he says. “Borshch, deruny, varenyky — I love them all.”
He has also taken part in traditional celebrations like Kupala Night (traditional ukrainian festival), attends Ukrainian cultural events in Tokyo, and even owns a piece of Petrykivka painting.
-As for salo?
“For now, it’s still a mystery,” he laughs. “But I will definitely try it in Ukraine.”
Because that, ultimately, is where his journey is leading.
“I dream of moving to Ukraine one day,” Kanaoka says. “And I want to speak Ukrainian with everyone there.”
His passion hasn’t gone unnoticed. Friends, colleagues and fellow fans — in Japan and beyond — have joined him in supporting Ukrainian athletes.
“That circle keeps growing,” he says.
And so does his connection to Ukraine — a country he first supported at the moment of its independence, and one he now hopes to call home.
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