Kazakhstani judoka Gusman Kyrgyzbayev won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Paris, bringing the third medal to Kazakhstan’s national team, according to the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Kazakhstan.
Kyrgyzbayev made it to the semifinal, where he lost to Willian Lima from Brazil. However, he still had a chance to fight for third place in the 66-kilogram weight category.
In this round, he competed against Strahinja Buncic from Serbia. The Kazakhstani athlete scored a point and won the match.
The Olympic Games in Paris were both the first and last for Kyrgyzbayev’s career.
«This is my last Olympics. I am 32 years old, which is why I gave it my all in Paris. I wrestled in the 60-kilogram weight class but never won an Olympic quota. Nevertheless, I made it to the Olympics this year in the 66-kilogram category,» the judoka said.
President of the NOC Gennady Golovkin sent his congratulations to Kyrgyzbayev.
«A real champion is determined not just by the medals he wins but by his character. During tough matches, you have shown the will to win and the strength of mind associated with true champions. I also sincerely congratulate your coaches Yermek Nasiev and Nurbol Suleymenov on this win. May it serve as a true inspiration for all young Kazakhstani athletes on their way to high achievements in sports,» he said.
Kyrgyzbayev’s medal was the third for Kazakhstan’s national team, alongside bronze medals won by shooters Alexandra Le and Islam Satpayev and the gold medal won by judoka Yeldos Smetov in the 60-kilogram weight category.
