On the final day of the tournament, the Belarusian won in the 100m backstroke S13 category (for visually impaired athletes). In a time of 56.68 seconds, the champion set a new world Paralympic record in this discipline. Second place went to Ukrainian, Yaroslav Denisenko, (59.02 seconds), while bronze went to swimmer Nicolas Guy Turbide from Canada (59.55 seconds).
Igor Boki — six-time Paralympic champion
This became the seventh medal for Igor Boki in the 2016 Paralympic Games. Earlier he won gold in the 100m butterfly, 200m medley, 400m, 100m and 50m freestyle, as well as bronze in the 100m breaststroke.
Following his performance in Rio, Igor Boki is now an 11-time Paralympic champion. Four years ago, the swimmer from Bobruisk appeared five times on the highest step of the podium.
Fencer Andrey Pranevich
The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, congratulated the member of the national team on his triumphal performance in Rio. ‘Having showed your best in the Paralympic Games in London, you worked persistently for all these years in order to surpass your high achievements today, to the joy of numerous Belarusian fans’, the congratulation message reads. “Two world records, six Paralympic Games records, six gold and bronze medals — an outstanding result and we are all proud to admire you.” Mr. Lukashenko underlined that, despite his youth, Igor Boki holds a strong place in the elite of world Paralympic sport, gaining honour and glory for his native land.
Swimmer Vladimir Izotov
Overall, the Belarusian national team has earned 10 medals (8 gold and 2 bronze awards) at the 15th Summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Apart from Igor Boki, of course, who is the holder of seven medals, swimmer Vladimir Izotov, and Andrey Pranevich, who won a medal in wheelchair fencing, also became champions at the Games. Additionally, a bronze in javelin went to Paralympic athlete, Alexander Triput.
Up 13 points in a month
By Alexey Grishin
Belarus’ team occupies 57th place in renewed FIFA rating
Since the last rating, the ‘white wings’ have played two matches. The Belarusian footballers defeated the Norwegians in a friendly match in Oslo (1:0) and later enjoyed a draw in Borisov, in a match against the finalists of the European Championship — France (0:0).
The last time the Belarusian team occupied such a high position in the world rankings was in 2011. Its best result of 38th position was in 2010 — when the team was coached by Germany’s Bernd Stange.
The FIFA rankings are yet again topped by Argentina, followed by Belgium with Germany in third place.
Girls make a winning start
Belarusian chess players in first place in Group B at the Chess Olympiad in Baku
The Belarusian team of Anastasia Zezyulkina, Lanita Stetsko, Olga Badelko, Yekaterina Bogdan and Tatiana Revo are the best in their group among teams from nine other countries. In the overall standings, our girls were placed 17th. In the men’s tournament, the Belarusian team of Sergey Zhigalko, Andrey Zhigalko, Vladislav Kovalev, Kirill Stupak and Alexey Alexandrov were placed 14th.
The Belarusian grand master, Alexey Alexandrov, won an individual award at the Olympiad. He was third among the sportsmen performing at the tournament.
The tournament in Azerbaijan’s capital was held under the Swiss system — attracting over 100 teams. The next Chess Olympiad will be hosted by Batumi, in 2018.
By Kirill Karin
