Semyon Novikov will play for Bulgaria.
Ukrainian Greco-Roman wrestler Semen Novikov has decided to change his citizenship and will represent Bulgaria.
The information that appeared in the media as early as December last year was confirmed by the head coach of the Ukrainian national team, Volodymyr Shatskikh, in a comment by “Social Sport”:
“Let the act he did remain on his conscience. The national team of Ukraine and the state represented by Minister of Sports Vadym Gutzait, NOC President Serhii Bubka, the leadership of our federation and I personally did everything to ensure that he remained in Ukraine. He was given everything necessary. All his needs were met: money, housing.
This is his decision, his choice. Maybe it is for the best that he moved to represent Bulgaria. If a person changes citizenship so easily, then something is wrong with him not so.
He will play for Bulgaria, but so far he does not have this opportunity, because our association and federation do not give permission for the transfer. After all, we value our athletes and do not let them go just like that, we fight for them.
This is also done so that other athletes do not think that they can just turn around and leave. When the state invested money and strength in you.”
If the Ukrainian side does not agree to release the athlete, he must serve “quarantine” until December 2023. This minimizes his chances to perform at the 2024 Olympics.
Semen Novikov twice won the U-23 World Championship, and also became the 2020 European champion in the weight category up to 87 kg. Note that Novikov did not go to the 2020 Olympics due to competition with Zhan Beleniuk, who also competes in this weight category.
Beleniuk brought Ukraine the only gold at the Tokyo Games.
Read also : Zhan Beleniuk received a military rank and an award pistol
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Earlier it was reported that the Ukrainian fighter died in the war against the Russian occupiers near Donetsk.
