"I would like to thank the whole of Hungary for giving me the opportunity to make my dream come true, and I am grateful to the spectators who created a magical atmosphere, their encouragement meant a lot," said Ismail Musukaev.Continue reading
Róbert Fritsch defeated Georgia’s Shmagi Bolkvadze in the final of the Greco-Roman-style’s 72 kg category to become the European champion. But Hungary also won two other medals: István Váncza won a silver medal in the Greco-Roman-style’s 67 kg category of the European Wrestling Championships in Budapest on Sunday. Also in the Greco-Roman-style, Tamás Lévai won the bronze medal in the 82 kg category.
“I had a lot of things on my mind, I had a thousand ways to play this game in my head. It felt like a huge battle inside, the Georgian was a very tough opponent. I took a risky gamble from the bottom, probably few people thought I could do it, but the amazing crowd and the fantastic atmosphere they created gave me extra strength and it worked,” Róbert Fritsch said after the final.
I am incredibly happy. I came for the gold medal and I got it. I am grateful to everyone who has helped me on the difficult journey behind me,”
Róbert Fritsch said. The Hungarian athlete won 3-2.
Róbert Fritsch (in blue) competes against Georgia’s Shmagi Bolkvadze in the final of the men’s 72 kg wrestling final at the European Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on April 3, 2022. Photo by Anikó Kovács/MTI
István Váncza was fighting against Murat Fırat from Turkey, who ultimately won in the end. Váncza said: “I missed this one and I blame myself. I had my chances, but I wasn’t sharp enough. I wrestled much better on Saturday, if the final is played then, I’m sure I’ll take advantage of the situations I missed. The Turkish boy was better than me this time and it showed in the final result. At the moment I don’t feel like I can ever console myself with a silver medal, it hurts terribly to lose.”
István Váncza after the final he lost. Photo by Anikó Kovács/MTI
Tamás Lévai, who won the bronze medal, is also the U23 world champion. Lévai was up against Moldova’s Mihail Bradu for the medal. In the end, he celebrated his bronze medal with huge cheers, fist-pumping, and big smiles as he saluted the spectators, reports Nemzeti Sport.
What happened here is phenomenal. My whole life is involved in this bronze medal, I felt invincible in front of this fantastic crowd. I’m incredibly happy, this is the biggest success of my life, it’s better than my U23 World Championship title,”
said Lévai.
Tamás Lévai. Photo by Anikó Kovács/MTI
Two more Hungarian wrestlers, Erik Torba and Róbert Érsek, also competed, however, they did not win medals. As we have reported before, Ismail Musukaev and Vladislav Baitcaev who were born in Russia but are competing in Hungarian colors, also won gold and a silver medal for the country.
Featured image: Winner Róbert Fritsch after the final of the men’s 72 kg wrestling final at the European Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary, April 3, 2022. Photo by Anikó Kovács/MTI