In the photo - Denis Rayul (far right) won two bronze medals in individual events // Photo: flickr.com.
The Republic of Moldova was represented by 12 athletes with physical limitations.
Two Moldovan medalists among adults
Denis Raiul won the bronze medal in the weight category up to 97 kg. In the discipline “Total” in three attempts he squeezed a total weight of 529 kg. The results were recorded both among the representatives of Europe and other continents. Since the two first places were also taken by athletes from European countries (Russian Sergey Annenkov and Pole Tomasz Majewski), the athlete received two medals. In the discipline “Best” the Dubasari native took the fourth place with the result of 178 kg, losing the bronze medal to Wawrzyniec Latusz from Poland (182 kg).
Elshan Huseynov was represented in the 107 kg category. In his most successful attempt he lifted the bar weighing 205 kg and won two bronze medals. The winner was Konstantin Matsnev (Russia) and the silver medalist was Faruk Ozturk (Turkey).
Huseynov also competed in the veterans’ competition in the same weight class. He also lifted a barbell weighing 205 kg, which allowed him to take second place.
Second in Europe
The Moldovan men’s team came third in the team competition. Elshan Huseynov, Denis Rayul and Stefan Rosca lost to the representatives of Cuba, who became winners, and France. This allowed the national team to win two medals – silver and bronze in the European and world standings, respectively.
Juniors demonstrated class
Victoria Rotaru won two gold medals in the competition among girls under 18 years old in the category up to 45 kg. She became the best in the disciplines “Best” and “Total”.
Last year, for the first time in the history of the Moldovan national team’s performance, the athlete took a prize-winning place at the World Youth Championships in Cairo (Egypt) – then she became the third.
Mihail Blanaru became a silver medalist in the competition of athletes under 20 years old. He distinguished himself in the disciplines “Best” and “Total” in the category up to 49 kg.
The European Open Championship is a mandatory qualifying round for the XVIII Summer Paralympic Games to be held in Los Angeles (USA) in 2028.
