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What an Honour! Working with a World Champion in Ukraine

It’s been an exhilarating summer of sport in Paris, with Ukraine claiming 12 medals and the anticipation building for the upcoming Paralympics. While our gold medals didn’t come from the City of Lights, they did come from a world champion. Curious? Read on to discover the incredible story behind this triumph!

Earlier this year, a team of four Japanese volunteers from WDRAC, Tokyo, joined us in Ukraine—you can check out a detailed account of their trip here. Among the team was Masyo, better known to her friends as Abe-Chan. We knew about her impressive background, but you’ll get to learn more about her personal journey in Ukraine later in this blog. Spoiler alert: Masyo is a multi-medal-winning world champion in rafting!

None of us had ever seen a world championship medal up close, let alone held one. So, we asked if Masyo could bring hers along to boost morale. The entire team was thrilled at the idea, and the moment certainly didn’t disappoint. After a gruelling last day, we finally had the chance to share in a true moment of world-class sporting history.

It was an incredible honour and privilege to work alongside a world champion in Ukraine—a true team player at the top of her game, who gave no less than her best throughout her time with us. But there was one final surprise that, even months later, still feels almost unbelievable.

After an emotional ride back to Rzeszów Airport, as Abe-Chan was preparing to head home, she did something extraordinary. Just before checking in, she pressed a gold medal into Simon and Travis’s hands, saying, “The work you are doing here—you are also World Champions, and World Champions deserve Gold Medals.”

Naturally, we respectfully declined, protested, and then, not wanting to offend, humbly accepted this amazing gift—but with two conditions.

First, we promised to bring the medals on our future missions and, as we encountered others doing incredible work, to take pictures of them wearing her medals in different situations and circumstances. Second, and most importantly, we made it clear that we couldn’t keep such precious and personal symbols of achievement. Instead, we would accept them on loan, to be returned to her at the end of the war—hopefully in Tokyo.

This was an astounding display of affection, commitment, and personal strength. Thank you, Abe-Chan, for entrusting us with your medals. We look forward to sharing their journey around the globe until they find their way back home to you. Thanks again to the entire WDRAC team for this unforgettable volunteer trip, and for the world-class colleagues you brought along for the ride.

Lastly, we’re exceptionally excited that another member of the WDRAC team, Hoshi-San (aka Starman), will be returning for another volunteer stint in Poland and Ukraine later in August 2024.

Reflecting on this amazing gesture, the remainder of this blog is dedicated to Abe-Chan’s world champion story and her reflections on working in Poland and Ukraine with Actions Beyond Words.

Abe- Chan her story as a World Champion and Actions Beyond Words Volunteer

Abe-Chan’s love affair with rafting ignited at the age of 20 during her inaugural guided tour. By 25, fueled by an unwavering passion, she boldly transitioned to professional rafting, leaving her hometown of Osaka for the breathtaking landscapes of Tokushima. Here, amidst nature’s splendor, she honed her skills alongside a dedicated team of rafting guides. In 2010, at the pinnacle of her career at age 30, Abe-Chan’s team clinched one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal at the world rafting championships. Their relentless pursuit of excellence continued , culminating in three more gold medals and two silver medals in 2017. As she contemplates her future in competitive rafting, Abe-Chan’s focus now extends to nurturing the next generation of rafters through her role in organizing training camps, all while balancing her ongoing participation in competitions.

Abe-Chan’s involvement with WDRAC sprang from deep-rooted friendships with its founding members. When the conflict in Ukraine erupted, she innate sense of empathy impelled her to action, spearheading a crowdfunding campaign with WDRAC to support those affected by the strife. Her unwavering commitment led her to visit a refugee center in Romania, where she was profoundly moved by the resilience and kindness of the Ukrainian people. Ever dedicated, Abe-Chan continues to provide firsthand reports on the situation in Ukraine, ensuring donors remain informed about the ongoing humanitarian efforts.

Her visit to Poland was a poignant journey, underscored by her meaningful involvement with Actions Beyond Words in delivering aid to displaced persons in Ukraine. Over time spent pent on the ground, Abe-Chan traversed into Ukraine alongside WDRAC, showcasing a admirable joint effort. Among the myriad memorable moments, one stands out: witnessing ABW volunteer Charlie’s heartfelt work to communicate with internally displaced persons in their native Ukrainian language. This touching interaction, fueled by Charlie’s months-long dedication to local language use when delivering aid, left an indelible mark on Abe-Chan. It reaffirmed her unwavering dedication to supporting Actions Beyond Words, to the humanitarian aid movement and most importantly those impacted by conflict.

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