The NOC President visited the Muay Thai competitions in Vitebsk and met with the athletes after the fights
Eight pairs of athletes competed in the ring. In the semi-final match, Belarusian Mikhail Yakimovich defeated an athlete from Uzbekistan and secured a spot in the final.
Belarusian athletes, who are no strangers to international competitions, have had the chance to appreciate the uniqueness of the open-air venue. Semen Stupakevich, who competed yesterday, noted that the ring provides an extra surge of energy. "It's a great ring, you feel a kind of euphoria during the fight. The audience in Vitebsk is also amazing, thank you for the support," the athlete said.
The semi-final bouts in Muay Thai will take place in Vitebsk on August 11-12, and on Sunday, the final bouts will start at 11:00 AM. Spectators are invited to the Summer Amphitheater to show the same hospitality and enthusiasm as they do during the preliminary bouts.
The President of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus, Viktor Lukashenko, met with athletes in Vitebsk after the Thai boxing competitions.
The head of the NOC spoke with the athletes and coaches, inquiring about their reception and accommodation. "You can feel the care at every step - from meeting at the train station to accommodation in the dormitory and the competitions," noted representatives of the Russian team.
The athletes are delighted with the Vitebsk audience, which chants: "Russia!" after each participant enters the competition, and representatives of the fraternal country admitted that they missed this. "Everyone supports all countries, they love sports, and this is the most important thing, that there is sports interest, excitement, and I hope that the spectacles are not inferior in emotions," the Russian athletes particularly emphasized.
"BELTA"
"Previously, only concerts were held here in Vitebsk, in the Summer Amphitheater, and now a sporting event has taken place. It looks good, you must agree, and I think it will be interesting at the finals. Congratulations to those who advanced, and do not be discouraged if you did not advance, you still have everything ahead of you, that's what sports are for," noted the President of the NOC.
Presidential Aide - Inspector for Vitebsk Oblast Igor Brylo, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Subbotin and President of the NOC of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko
Viktor Lukashenko also asked the athletes which countries, in their opinion, are the strongest in Muay Thai. The Russians expressed their opinion that these are four major world players - Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, and Thailand. Our close friends expressed their wish to meet in a similar format more often. Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Subbotin promised that the sports venue, unique for such competitions, would be happy to host international competitions again and again, whether it be boxing, Muay Thai, MMA, or any other sports. "Take the governor by his word, if he promised, he will do it," noted the head of the NOC.
Coaches and fighters expressed great gratitude to both the organizers of the Games and the spectators who come to the Summer Amphitheater every day with unwavering interest and give athletes a lot of emotions.