Moldova’s Denis Vieru won the bronze medal in judo at the Paris Olympic Games. In the small final of the 66 kg weight category, he defeated France’s Walide Khyar. Thus, Denis Vieru became the first Moldovan judoka to win a medal at the Olympic Games, IPN reports.
Denis Vieru won against Finland’s Luukas Saha and Serbia’s Stranhija Buncic. In the semifinals, he lost to the Olympic champion Hifumi Abe of Japan.
After his successful performance at the Olympic Games, the judoka told the media service of the National Olympic and Sports Committee that this is a well-deserved result. In four years, at the 2028 Olympic Games, he is determined to prove that he can be even better. “I dedicate this medal to the people, to those who really love and support me and care about me enormously,” said Denis Vieru. For now, he has not decided what he will do with the prize money he will receive, but he is determined to donate a part of the money.
President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Dorin Recean congratulated the athlete. “We have the first medal at the Olympic Games! Congratulations on winning the bronze medal in judo, Denis Vieru! We are proud of your perseverance and passion. Come on, Moldova!”, President Sandu posted on Facebook. Premier Recean also wrote that he keeps his fingers crossed for the Moldovan athletes who are going to compete and is waiting for them at home with medals and beautiful results. “Judoka Denis Vieru brings the first medal for the Republic of Moldova won at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Congratulations, Denis! Your success fills us with pride and joy,” the official wrote on Facebook.
The athletes from the Republic of Moldova who will rank first at the Olympic Games will be awarded 3 million lei. Those who will occupy the second place will receive 2.6 million lei and those who will bring the bronze will collect 2 million lei. The athletes who will rank fourth or fifth will receive 600,000 lei. Those who will be in the sixth, seventh and eighth places will be awarded 400,000 lei, 300,000 lei and, respectively, 200,000 lei.
