Oleg Cretul

Started: He took up judo in 1985 at age 10 in the Republic of Moldova. (Athlete, 29 Oct 2015; izvestia.ru, 17 Sep 2008) Ambition: To coach children after retiring from competitive sport. (protv.md, 14 Mar 2024) Milestones: He became the first male Para judoka representing the Russian Federation to win gold at the Paralympic Games when he claimed victory in the 90kg category at the 2008 Games in Beijing. (SportsDeskOnline, 15 Jun 2021) Awards: In 2024 he received the title of Coach Emeritus of the Republic of Moldova. (radiochisinau.md, 29 Feb 2024) He and fellow judoka Ion Basoc were named joint winners of the 2023 Para Athlete of the Year award by the Paralympic Committee of the Republic of Moldova. (Facebook page, 15 Mar 2024; protv.md, 14 Mar 2024) He was named Sportsman of the Year for 2023 at the Moldovan Sports Gala. (moldpres.md, 16 Dec 2023) In 2023 he received the Order of Honour in the Republic of Moldova. (Facebook page, 19 Jul 2023) In recognition of his performance at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, he received the Order of Friendship in the Russian Federation. (kremlin.ru, 30 Sep 2009) In recognition of his performance at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, he received the Order for Merit to the Fatherland [second class] in the Russian Federation. (rg.ru, 18 Aug 2006) He has received the title of Honoured Master of Sport in the Russian Federation. (kremlin.ru, 30 Sep 2009) Additional Info: NATIONALITY SWITCH He previously represented the Russian Federation, including at three Paralympic Games from 2004 to 2012. He later switched to represent the Republic of Moldova, the nation he had previously competed for in non-Para judo at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. "I spent 16 years in the Russian national team." (Facebook page, 11 Apr 2024; SportsDeskOnline, 15 Jun 2021) OTHER ACTIVITIES He has served as president of the Paralympic Committee of the Republic of Moldova. He has also established the Oleg Kretsul International Foundation. (Facebook page, 20 Mar 2024; Comitetul Paralimpic al Republicii Moldova Facebook page, 26 Oct 2023; diez.md, 05 Sep 2022; Facebook page, 06 Feb 2022) FEATURE FILM In 2020 a drama film based on his life called 'Kretsul' was released. The feature, which focuses on Kretsul's relationship with coach Vitalie Gligor, won that year's Eurimages Co-Production Development Award at the Transilvania International Film Festival in Romania. (cineuropa.org, 20 Aug 2020)