Oleg Kretsul (second left) and Oleg Nemtsan (center) with medals // Photo: mec.gov.md
Oleg Kretzul, also President of the Moldovan Paralympic Committee, won the gold medal in the 98 kg event. He defeated opponents from Georgia and Mongolia, and in the decisive bout he defeated Russia’s Pavel Selivanov, who competed under a neutral flag. Athletes from Nigeria and Mongolia shared the third step of the podium.
For the 50-year-old 2008 Para-Judo Paralympic Games champion, the victory at the world Para-Sambo Championships was the debut in his career. In addition to the gold medal, the athlete received a $4,000 bonus. Kretsul is also a Paralympic silver and bronze medalist, four-time world champion, five-time European champion and vice world para-judo champion.
Oleg Nemtsan became a medalist in the category up to 79 kg. The Moldovan athlete lost to the future world champion from Mongolia in the first round. He got the opportunity to fight for the small final with the athlete from Australia, over whom Nemtsan took the upper hand. The para-sambist defeated Suimonkul Moldobekov of Kyrgyzstan to win the bronze medal. He was also awarded a $2,000 prize.
The silver medalist was Russia’s Viktor Rudenko, presented in neutral status. The second bronze medal was won by Mishiko Shobrishvili (Georgia).
The Moldovan national para-sambo team with one silver and one bronze medal in the final medal standings shared the first place with Mongolia. The third position was occupied by the Iranian national team. Athletes from 12 countries were represented at the World Para Sambo Championship (among visually impaired athletes) held in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan).
