Georgian soccer player awarded for saving life

A Georgian football player who saved an opponent’s life in a Ukrainian Premier League match has been recognized for his heroic act by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

Ukrainian football club Dnipro midfielder and captain of Georgia’s national football team Jaba Kankava received a medal for the heroism he displayed in a match where an opposition’s knock to the head had near-fatal consequences.

Kankava was awarded the honour before the Dnipro-Metalurg match started on Saturday.

In the game between Dynamo Kiev and Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk last month, Kiev's captain Oleh Husyev was knocked unconscious as he took an accidental knee to the head from the Dnipro goalkeeper. Husyev appeared to swallow his tongue during the collision.

Reacting immediately to the suddenly dangerous situation, Kankava rushed to the aid of his opponent and immediately began life-saving first aid.

Kankava worked to remove Husyev’s tongue from blocking his airway.

As soon as Husyev’s tongue was moved into a safe position in his throat, he immediately jolted to consciousness and began to cough and kick violently.

Shortly after, Husyev was taken to hospital with a concussion, a bruised jaw and damage to three teeth, the team announced.

Doctors said if no immediate first aid had been performed the result could have been fatal.