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Nikita MelnikovRussian athlete, wrestler, world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Country:
 Russia |
Content:
- Early Ambitions and Training
- World Champion
- Challenging Opponents
- Debut at the World Championship
- Recognition and Future Aspirations
Biography of Nikita Melnikov - Russian Wrestler and World Champion in Greco-Roman Wrestling
Nikita Melnikov, a Russian athlete, wrestler, and world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, has been chasing his dream of competing in the Olympics since he was just 7 years old. Now at the age of 26, Melnikov has made significant strides towards achieving his long-held goal.
Early Ambitions and Training
From a young age, Melnikov aspired to compete in the Olympics. Under the guidance of his coach Mikhail Gamzin, Melnikov underwent rigorous training sessions that yielded impressive results. He became a three-time champion of Russia and secured a victory in the Olympics.
World Champion
Recently, Melnikov added another accomplishment to his list of victories by becoming a world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling. This achievement solidifies his claim to participate in the Olympic Games. Notably, Melnikov's gold medal was the first for Russia in Greco-Roman wrestling at the championship.
Challenging Opponents
Melnikov's path to victory was not without challenges. In a close match against Armenian wrestler Artur Aleksanyan, Melnikov emerged as the winner with a score of 2-2. The judges recognized Melnikov's utilization of more complex and spectacular techniques, awarding him the victory. This was not the first time Melnikov defeated Aleksanyan; they had previously faced each other at the Kazan Universiade, where Melnikov won convincingly with a score of 9-0.
Debut at the World Championship
Melnikov's debut at the World Championship was a remarkable success. Despite facing tough opponents, he persevered and earned a resounding victory. Shalva Gadabadze from Azerbaijan, his penultimate opponent, had fewer matches to contend with. Additionally, due to an unfortunate scheduling conflict, Melnikov had only 15 minutes of rest before the semifinals. However, this did not hinder Melnikov's performance as he secured a brilliant victory with a score of 3-0. The final medal distribution resulted in Melnikov winning gold, Aleksanyan taking silver, and Gadabadze and Hungarian wrestler Balázs Kiss receiving bronze.
Recognition and Future Aspirations
Sports analysts universally acknowledge Melnikov's exceptional talent, deeming him one of the best Russian wrestlers. Due to the collective efforts of Melnikov and his teammates, Russia claimed the top spot in the overall medal tally. At present, Russian athletes have accumulated a total of 3 golds, 2 silvers, and 4 bronzes. Although Iran ultimately surpassed Russia in the medal standings, this did not diminish the significance of Melnikov's achievements.
Melnikov remains committed to maintaining his training intensity, knowing that there is still room for improvement. Critics have pointed out his lack of "sports aggression," which Melnikov acknowledges. He believes that both his technique and physical attributes, such as endurance and strength, require further refinement. Despite the challenges ahead, Melnikov approaches the future with unwavering optimism and has no intention of abandoning his Olympic aspirations. His fans are confident that their idol will continue to surprise and impress them in the future.
