Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Oleksandr Zinchenko
Two-time world kickboxing champion Sam Hageman recalled how PSV players, when Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko still played for the club, attended his training sessions.
“Marco van Ginkel was the most talented, Steven Bergwijn had the most potential. But Zinchenko was the most persistent. He is a very calm guy. Later he started going to the gym three to five times a week.
Zinchenko may not have been built for this sport physically, but because he put in so much effort, over time he was able to do a lot,” Hageman told ESPN.
The world kickboxing champion added that he usually only allowed PSV players to train, not fight. “But Zinchenko really insisted on sparring. Then I put him against my friend. And he immediately punched him in the nose.
“I thought: he will probably never come here again. But I was wrong. He came back the very next day,” Hageman said.
Earlier, Zinchenko commented on the victory in the Champions League match against PSV.
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