Ion Basoc is a titled Ungheni native who took up para-judo after losing his eyesight // Photo: unghiul.com .
The athlete reached the final of the competition in the weight category over 95 kg, where he met with Villanes da Silva de Araujo from Brazil. His opponent responded with decisive actions to Ion Basok’s attacks and earned the highest mark of the referees – ippon. The final of last year’s Paralympics was repeated, in which the Brazilian also defeated the Moldovan athlete. In the semifinals, both para-judokas defeated Kazakhstan, the hosts of the tournament. Ion Basok was stronger than Erlan Utepov, and the Brazilian defeated Baglanbek Onalbek.
The medal was the second for Ion Basok during his performances in the World Para Judo Championships. In 2023, he won bronze at the World Championships in Birmingham, UK. The world champion at that time was also Brazilian Villanes da Silva de Araujo.
The World Para Judo Championship was held in the capital of Kazakhstan on May 13-15. The Moldovan delegation was made up of athletes Ion Basoc, Vadim Kretsul, Nikolay Bondarev, Inna Cernei under the guidance of coaches Vitaliy Gligor and Oleg Kretsul.
