Moldova’s Denis Vieru won the silver medal at the World Judo Masters Hungary 2023. In the 66 kg final, Vieru lost to the eventual gold medalist Ryoma Tanaka of Japan.

In his journey to the podium, Vieru defeated Kyrgyzstan’s Kubanychbek Uulu, Kazakhstan’s Gusman Kyrgyzbayev, the Italian Elios Manzi, and the Ukrainian Bogdan Iadov, the 2022 European champion.

At the end of last year, Vieru won the bronze medal in Jerusalem and climbed the podium for the first time at a Masters. Also this year, the athlete also won the bronze medal both at the World Championship and at the European Championship. Denis Vieru was chosen the nation’s best athlete by the Moldovan Sports Press Association.