Beat the Streets Los Angeles Executive Director Yero Washington announced today the appointment of Valentin Kalika as Coaches Education Coordinator.

With over 30 years of professional coaching experience, Kalika brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Los Angeles nonprofit youth development organization. A native of Kiev, Kalika served as Head Coach of the Ukrainian Junior National Team and in 1990 was named Ukrainian Coach of the Year.

As a competitor Kalika was a U.S.S.R. National Champion and achieved the rating of “U.S.S.R Master of Sports” in Greco-Roman wrestling. After arriving in the US in 1994 he went on to represent the United States at the 2009 Veterans World Championship, earning the gold medal and becoming the first American to win Veterans World Gold in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Kalika earned a Masters Degree in Professional Coaching and Sports Education from Kiev Sports University in Ukraine.

In addition to his role with BTSLA, Kalika serves as the Head Greco-Roman Coach for the San Marino, CA based Titan Mercury Wrestling Club. Kalika continues to host annual international youth wrestling camps in his native Ukraine.