Double Gold: Turkmenistan Wins Top Medals at World Sambo Championships in Indonesia
The Turkmenistan national team successfully competed at the World Youth and Junior Sambo Championships, held for the first time in Bogor, Indonesia. The competition brought together more than 370 athletes from 34 countries. Turkmen athletes won two gold, three silver, and two bronze medals—a total of seven awards.
A surprise development on the final day of the competition was the gold medals won by two participants in the combat sambo 58 kg weight class final—one from Russia and one from Turkmenistan. This award was awarded as a result of an unprecedented decision by the leadership of the International Sambo Federation (FIAS).
The decision to award gold medals to two participants of the final at once — the representative of Turkmenistan, Alikhan Aydogdiyev, and his rival from Russia, Artyom Nesterov (the Russian team competed under the FIAS flag) was made by FIAS President Vasily Shestakov.
Since the change in the schedule of the finals was not communicated to all participants (the local organizing committee postponed the start time of the finals an hour earlier, but did not notify all participants. As a result, the Russian SAMBO wrestler entered the mat on time, but the opponent did not have time for the fight), the head of the Federation, taking into account the organizational circumstances that arose, considered it necessary to recognize the equally high level of training of both athletes. By awarding them both the highest award, FIAS has confirmed its commitment to the principles of fairness and sportsmanship.
Thus, at the world championships, which took place from October 3 to 5, the Turkmen athlete, who demonstrated a high level of preparation on the way to the finals, was awarded the highest award in recognition of his merits and skill.
And the first gold in the national team's piggy bank was brought on the second day of the competition by Islam Khemrayev, who won in the weight category up to 71 kg in combat sambo.
Rasul Dzhabrailov (64 kg), Iqbal Saparova (50 kg) and Malikberdi Begiyev (88 kg) won three silver medals.
Ilshat Dovranov (58 kg) and Mahriban Palvanova (59 kg) won the bronze medals.
ORIENT
