The fresh champion of the German Bundesliga Nicolae Ciobanu won only silver in the national freestyle wrestling championship. In the final of the 86kg class, he refused to fight against his elder brother Ion Ciobanu.

“I’m glad that I took part in Moldova’s championship, but the fact that my brother became winner is even more gladdening. Ion is elder and he taught me many useful things. I respect my brother a lot. That’s why I decided to offer him the title of champion without putting up resistance,” Nicolae Ciobanu has told IPN.

The final between the Ciobanu brothers could have been followed by two Olympic champions. Hadjiumrad Magomedov and Artur Taimazov were invited to Moldova’s freestyle wrestling championship.

“The freestyle wrestling championship was organized very well. The athletes have good training,” said three times Olympic champion Artur Taimazov. “The freestyle wrestling is loved and appreciated in Moldova. I’m glad that I’m here and I hope I will return to Moldova,” stated Hadjiumrad Magomedov.

The national freestyle wrestling championship brought together over 100 athletes from a number of districts. It included eight weight classes. The winners received by 2,000 lei.