Moldovan Weightlifter Robu Headed to Paris Olympics
Weightlifter Marin Robu has become the 10th Moldovan athlete to qualify for the Summer Olympics in Paris.
He secured his participation at the year's most important sporting event, thanks to his excellent performance at the last qualifying tournament in the Thai city of Phuket.
Marin competed in the 89 kg weight category, placing first in the snatch event. With qualification assured, his coaching staff decided to withdraw him from the competition to avoid any risk of injury.
"The road to the Olympic Games was filled with obstacles," Marin Robu told Moldova 1. "Many things have happened since the first qualifying tournament in 2022. This year at the European Championships in Sofia, I already practically had my ticket to Paris. Now, at the final tournament, I have officially qualified. This doesn't make me happy yet, but I will be happy if I reach the podium at the Paris Olympics."
This will be the 24-year-old athlete's second Olympic appearance. Robu previously competed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where he had a commendable performance. The athlete, a native of Nisporeni, finished 8th in the 73 kg weight category competition.
Moldova has two more weightlifters competing at the qualifying tournament in Thailand: Elena Cîlcic-Erighin and Tudor Bratu. Both are scheduled to compete early next week.
Translation by IUrie Tataru
