Valruzia

[Aethan]

Chancellor Nowik finish second at 5672 Seleyan Judo Championships 

At 41, Nowik becomes oldest medalist at the continental competition; Tukarese Iago Martins defeats him by ippon

June 5672

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Chancellor Nowik has once again demonstrated his enduring class on the tatami, claiming the silver medal at the 5672 Seleyan Judo Championships in Szary Kamien, Kampania. At 41 years old, Nowik now becomes the oldest judoka ever to win a medal at the continental level, adding yet another achievement to an already decorated career, following a 17-year hiatus from international competitions to focus on his political career.

The Valruzian leader advanced to the final with victories over opponents from Likatonia, Kanjor and Baltusia, before defeating Kalistani contender Matthew López in a tense semifinal that was not decided until there very last seconds of the combat. In the decisive final bout, Nowik faced Iago Martins of Tukarali, who previously defeated Nowik's fellow compatriot Jaroslaw Tyra – who went on to secure the bronze medal in the repechage – and who secured the championship with a clean ippon, leaving the Chancellor with a prestigious silver medal, the first silver for the Chancellor in the continental competition. With this medal, Nowik’s long list of metals grows bigger, after 3 golds and a silver in the Valruzian Judo Championships, 2 bronzes and two golds in the Seleyan Judo Championships and the pinnacle of his international career, his gold medal in the Terran Judo Championships in 5655 in Romula, which marked until now the end of his sporting career to become a full-time politician at home soil.

In the post-bout interview, Chancellor Nowik declared, with tears around his eyes: 

"At 41, standing here again, I am not only proud of the result but of the journey that brought me back to the Seleyan podium. I may have lost today, but I consider this a victory for perseverance. I truly believe that age is just a number, and I hope my example inspires younger generations in our nation to test their limits"

As the competition was marked by the presence of the chancellor and the security risk it posed, record number of viewerships and attendance were achieved. Nowik, which at home has made sports one of the highlights of his new government to encourage younger generations to try out different sports and pursue a healthy lifestyle, insisted that his presence at the competition should be treated as anyone else's there. Asked about his bout, gold medalist Iago Martins declared that he was "proud of the combat" and that it has been his pleasure to test the Chancellor

With the two medals achieved today, host nation Valruzia stands as 3rd in the general leadership with 3 gold medals, 2 silver medals and a single bronze