Viorel Marinescu achieved a new important result. After becoming European vice champion in Paris this year, the 46-year-old athlete obtained the title of world champion in Abu Dhabi on November 26, IPN reports.

In the plus 100 kg class, the Moldovan sportsman beat Hungary’s Janos Haja in the final. The next positions in the rankings were taken by the athletes from Russia, Romania and France.

Last year Viorel Marinescu won a bronze medal in the World Sambo Championship in Casablanca. Marinescu is a colonel of the State Guard and Protection Service.

In Abu Dhabi, Mihail Malear won gold in the 90 kg class, in the 70-75 age bracket. Andrei Costetchi, 40-44, won bronze in the 66 kg class, while Piotr Curu, 60-65, obtained bronze in the plus 100 kg class.

The fifth World Judo Veterans Championship took place in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, on November 22-26.