Press releases

8 Aug 2019

Aleksandr Medved tournament to gather wrestlers from 14 countries

Iryna Kurachkina. Photo from the archive

MINSK, 8 August (BelTA) – Athletes from 14 countries are expected to take part in the freestyle wrestling tournament for the prizes of three-time Olympic champion Aleksandr Medved which is due in the Minsk Palace of Sports on 9-11 August, Chairman of the Belarusian Wrestling Federation Kamandar Madzhidov told the media on 8 August, BelTA has learned.

“This year the tournament will be held for the 49th time. It is expected to gather 203 athletes from 14 countries. Belarus will be represented by more than 50 athletes,” the head of the Belarusian Wrestling Federation said.

Head coach of the Belarusian women’s team Oleg Raikhlin said that the tournament will feature winners of the 2nd European Games Vasilisa Marzaliuk (76kg) and Iryna Kurachkina (57kg) and also young promising athletes.

Three-time Olympic champion Aleksandr Medved believes that the participants of the tournament will gain valuable experience. These competitions have always enjoyed great popularity and served as a starting point for many athletes. “The Belarusian wrestling school has many talents who are capable of competing at the 2019 World Wrestling Championships in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. I would like the tournament to help our athletes see what they are capable of,” he said.

Aleksandr Medved tournaments have been held in Minsk since 1970. In 1994, following the decision of the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA), the tournament was granted the Grand Prix category. The record in the number of participating states (47) was set at its 30th edition in 2000.

Aleksandr Medved won three Olympic gold medals (1964, 1968 and 1972), seven world titles (1962, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969-1971) and four European titles. Aleksandr Medved was named the greatest freestyle wrestler of the 20th century.



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