She began her journey in athletics at the age of nine in Nikopol, Ukraine. Her mother, a Candidate for Master of Sport in athletics, introduced her to a coach. Her father was a Master of Sport in sambo wrestling. Given the choice between sambo and athletics, her mother guided her towards the latter.

Career Highlights

She made her debut for Ukraine in 2006. One of her most memorable achievements was winning gold at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. Her hero is US sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner, and she draws inspiration from her husband Sergiy Balaban and coach Kostyantyn Rurak.

Challenges and Injuries

In 2021, she sustained an Achilles tendon injury three months before the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Despite this setback, she won three silver medals at the event. Her resilience is evident in her favourite philosophy: "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."

Awards and Recognition

For her achievements at the 2020 Paralympic Games, she received the Order of Princess Olga [third class] from the president of Ukraine. She has also been decorated with the Ukrainian Orders of Merit for her performances at the Paralympic Games in 2008, 2012, and 2016. She holds the title of Honoured Master of Sport in Ukraine.

Retirement and Return

After the 2020 Paralympic Games, she decided to retire from competitive sport. However, after giving birth to her third child in 2022, she returned to training in September 2023. Her coach Kostyantyn Rurak encouraged her to make a comeback. She expressed that despite the challenges, she enjoyed a year of motherhood and felt a renewed desire to return to athletics.

Personal Life

She is married to Sergiy Balaban, a Ukrainian Master of Sport in judo and sambo. They have three children: daughter Sofia [born 2009] and two sons, including Mikhail [born 2017]. Spending time with her family and studying psychology are among her hobbies.

Education and Occupation

She studied psychology at Dnipro National University in Ukraine. She has also worked as a physical education teacher at the Chair of Physical Education at the Faculty of Law at Dnipro State University of Internal Affairs.

Film Based on Her Life

In 2020, a movie titled 'Pulse' was released based on her biography. The film's slogan is 'Live. Dream. Come on'. It highlights that there is always a positive side to every situation.

Her journey continues to inspire many aspiring athletes worldwide. With a career marked by resilience and dedication, she remains a prominent figure in athletics.