Press releases

MINSK, 17 October (BelTA) - Belarusian sambo wrestler Stepan Popov received the Fair Play Award for gesture in spirit of fair competition, BelTA learnt from the press service of the National Olympic Committee.

The awarding ceremony took place in Budapest on 15 October.

“It is great to get an award of the kind. Many came to congratulate me and said that my gesture excited all sports fans. I was asked about Belarus and sambo development. This award is the first in the history of sambo, so I am sure that this is important not only for Belarus. Sambo is a contact sport, and no one wants to give up in it to the very last second. This time the event occurred during the Euro Games, when the voltage in the final battle and the emotions of the fans were off the charts. That is why this gesture got such a response. I am definitely pleased with the award,” said Stepan Popov.

Following the meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Fair Play Committee, Belarusian sambo wrestler Stepan Popov got a diploma for gesture in spirit of fair competition. In general, a total of 49 candidates from more than 20 countries have been nominated for the award in the following categories: Fair Play Act, Fair Play Principles Promotion, Career-Style Fair Play, Youth. Members of the Executive Committee named the 32 best athletes who were awarded Fair Play trophies, diplomats and letters of congratulation.

Stepan Popov’s candidacy was nominated by the National Olympic Committee of Belarus with the support of the International Sambo Federation and the Belarusian Sports Press Association.

During the final match of the first European Games in Baku Belarusian sambo wrestler from Lepel Stepan Popov demonstrated a Fair Play-style gesture. From the very first seconds it was clear that the Belarusian athlete was totally focused on the victory against Amil Gasimov from Azerbaijan in the Men’s -74 kg event. Stepan Popov grabbed the immediate lead, but the opponent managed to equalize later. The Belarusian, however, retook the lead once again and secured a win by submission. Then Stepan Popov helped his defeated and injured rival to leave the mat.

In the history of the Belarusian sport, only triple Olympic champion in freestyle wrestling Alexander Medved, European champion in table tennis Vladimir Samsonov were Fair Play awardees. Now, the champion of the European Games in Baku Stepan Popov is among them.