Greco-Roman wrestler Valeri Nikitin stood next to the podium in title competitions for almost his entire career, but managed to get there only once – winning bronze at the 1992 European Championships. In those years there was also a third place in the fight, the two palest medals were awarded only at the Beijing Olympics. “I would be a judoka, I would have a bronze medal around my neck,” Nikitin said after the 2000 Sydney Olympics, which left a thorn in his soul. Unfortunately it went like this… Two bronze medals in judo were awarded, and Indrek Pertelson and Aleksei Budõlin arrived at the airport wearing leather jackets with the words “Speaking silver, silence gold, fighting bronze” written on the back. Unfortunately, Nikitin was not touched by this novel proverb.
In Sydney, Nikitin had to deal with famous opponents, a serious injury and judges who treated him coldly in the semi-finals and bronze medal match. Many laugh at the fact that, of course, the story of a losing athlete… On the other hand, Peep Arold, who judged at the European Championships, World Championships and Olympic Games, exposed the backs of the judging mafia of wrestling in Eesti Päevaleh a few years ago. “A judge once told me:” Valeri Nikitin was a very good fighter, he should have become two-time world champion, but he made the wrong opponents. In one case I blew the whistle on him,” Arold put the truth on the table.
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2023-12-03 03:00:00
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