In a hard-fought battle, Polish wrestler Arkadiusz Kułynycz narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the 87 kg Greco-Roman wrestling category at the Paris Olympics. Kułynycz faced off against Ukraine’s Olympic champion, Zhan Beleniuk, and ultimately lost with a score of 1:3.
From the outset, both wrestlers were cautious, rarely initiating strong attacks. Kułynycz earned the first point of the match in the opening round when Beleniuk was put in a vulnerable position by the referee’s decision. However, Kułynycz, representing Olimpijczyk Radom, was unable to capitalize on this opportunity.
As the match resumed, Kułynycz found himself in a similar situation, and the score was tied at 1:1. Beleniuk then executed a move known as a “cart,” earning two points. Despite Kułynycz’s attempts to mount a comeback in the final minute, Beleniuk’s defense held firm, securing his victory.
Zhan Beleniuk, a seasoned competitor, boasts an impressive record with two Olympic medals: a gold from Tokyo and a silver from Rio de Janeiro. He is also a two-time world champion (2015, 2019) and a three-time European champion (2014, 2016, 2019).
Kułynycz’s valiant effort, though not yielding a medal, demonstrated his skill and determination on the Olympic stage.