WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk has been included in TIME’s list of the 100 most influential people in sports for 2026. The Ukrainian boxer was placed in the “Leaders” category.
As reported by Champion, the undefeated Ukrainian was included in the TIME100 Sports ranking in the “Leaders” category. Alongside Usyk, the list includes American basketball player Stephen Curry, Italian racing driver Kimi Antonelli, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, UFC President Dana White and Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka.
TIME noted that following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Usyk became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance. The publication recalled that at the beginning of the war, the boxer joined a territorial defense battalion in Kyiv.
The article also states that Usyk’s foundation helped purchase military vehicles and communications equipment, as well as deliver humanitarian aid.
In addition to the “Leaders” category, the TIME100 Sports ranking includes the groups “Icons”, “Titans” and “Innovators”. The list features such famous athletes as Lionel Messi, LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland and Lando Norris.
It should be noted that the World Boxing Council (WBC) recently ordered Oleksandr Usyk to fight Agit Kabayel in his next bout.
