Greco-Roman wrestler Zhan Beleniuk won a complete collection of Olympic awards.
As reported NOC of Ukraineto the “gold” of Tokyo-2020 and the “silver” of Rio-2016, he added the “bronze” of Paris-2024, winning in the fight for the third place in the weight category up to 87 kg over Arkadiusz Kulynych from Poland (3:1), reports Ukrinform.
“I am satisfied, but, frankly speaking, I wanted to be in the final and compete there with ex-Ukrainian Semyon Novikov. Beleniuk noted. “I admit, he’s in good shape, it wouldn’t be easy for me, but I know his strengths and weaknesses.”
The wrestler also admitted that he no longer feels such emotional intensity as before, but added that he was still worried before the fight for the bronze medal: “You know, for me after the “gold” in Tokyo, it’s all more like a game. I go out on the carpet and enjoy myself. Although frankly speaking, I was a little nervous in the duel with the Pole, because I did not want to end my career without an Olympic medal. I knew I had to beat him. No matter how many times I fought him, he never defeated me. But this is a sport, and something you don’t expect can happen here. By the way, the Pole won the first fight here against the current world champion Ali Cengiz from Turkey.”
The newly minted Paris medalist also admitted that coach Volodymyr Shatskikh played a big role in the fact that he stayed in the sport for another Olympic cycle and answered the question whether he sees himself in Los Angeles-2028.
“After Tokyo, the coach asked me to stay to train the boys a little bit. But then, when I said that I would definitely tie the knot with sports, he objected: “It’s not an option, I have to perform in Paris.” He probably saw some more potential in me. As it turns out, not for nothing. Any thoughts on Los Angeles? I will be 37 at the next Olympics. I am not particularly interested in the world and European championships, so I think I need to find other areas of activity. Sport of high achievements is a cool thing, but it is not for life, unless, of course, you shoot like Mykola Milchev. I am satisfied with my sports career and I think that is enough.”
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Zhan Beleniuk emphasized that now his main task is to do everything that depends on him to help our country win the war: “Sport is also a platform for spreading information, for reminding that the war continues in Ukraine. Every day while the Olympics are going on, our civilians and our military are dying. Therefore, all athletes are ambassadors of our country. And they have to think not only about their training, but also about making sure that a rocket doesn’t fly into their house, and at the same time they still have to choose a license, perform at the Games and win medals for Ukraine. Much respect to them and a low bow to all our defenders for giving us the opportunity to perform here in Paris.”
Photo: noc-ukr.org.
