The first Ukrainian “gold”: Beleniuk won at the Olympics in Tokyo

Ukrainian Greco-Roman wrestler Zhan Beleniuk defeated Victor Lorenz of Hungary in the final of the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

On Wednesday, August 4, in the final bout in the 87 kg category, Zhan Beleniuk met with Hungarian Victor Lorenz, whom he defeated in the decisive match of the 2019 World Championships, and in general, overcame 10 times.

The Hungarian was the first to score one point when Beleniuk was placed in the ground game. Lorenz couldn't develop an advantage in the first period. In the second period, the Ukrainian went ahead, successfully used ground fighting, and took the lead with 5:1.

Zhan Beleniuk won a convincing victory and brought Ukraine the first gold of the 2020 Olympics.

Photo Reuters

Photo Reuters

The Ukrainian started his performance in Tokyo with a 3:1 victory over Zurab Datunashvili from Serbia and took revenge on him for the defeat at the 2021 European Championship. In the quarterfinals, Zhan Beleniuk defeated Bashir Sid Hazard of Algeria. The Ukrainian, who was the last to have a productive action, went on for a 1:1 draw. In the semifinals, he confidently defeated Ivan Guklek from Croatia with 7:1.

Photo Reuters

Photo Reuters

During the 12 competitive days of the 2020 Olympics, the national team of Ukraine won nine awards. Besides Greco-Roman wrestlers Zhan Beleniuk and Parviz Nasibov, swimmer Mykhailo Romanchuk won silver in the 1500 m distance and bronze for the 800 m freestyle. Wrestler Alla Cherkasova won a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in the 68kg category. Also, bronze medals were brought to Ukraine by judoka Daria Bilodid in the category up to 48 kg, fencer Ihor Reizlin in the sword competitions, Olena Kostevych and Oleh Omelchuk in air pistol shooting, and tennis player Elina Svitolina.