Wrestler Frank Chamizo said he was offered a $300,000 bribe for losing his match to Turan Bayramov in the semifinals of the European Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament.
The Associated Press reported Thursday that Chamizo, who represents Italy, told an Italian newspaper. La Repubblica The same goes when he talks about his match with Azerbaijani freestyle wrestler Bayramov in Baku, Azerbaijan.
“I knew I had to work twice, three times as hard in Azerbaijan, because I was fighting in their country and they were buying everyone,” Chamizo said. “I did that, and then something happened that was reminiscent of wrestling years ago.
“So let me tell you, they came to me and offered to lose me $300,000. I won't say who, but it happened on the morning of the weigh-in.”
Chamizo also said he refused bribes because “I represent not only myself but also Italy… it's not easy to break my integrity.”
With the score tied at 8, Chamiso scored the game-winning two goals and appeared to have done enough to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, Bayramov's coach challenged the ruling and won, stripping Chamiso of his temporary victory.
He has another chance to qualify for the Olympics at the world qualifying tournament in Turkey in May, but said he was not worried about the repercussions of his comments.
“Are you worried about paying for these comments there? I'm from Cuba, I'm not scared of anything,” Chamizo said. “Now I'm in a free country. I can say what I think and what I want. No one will stop me.”
The wrestler who received this medal is originally from Cuba, but moved to Italy in 2011 and currently competes for Italy. His resume includes bronze medals at the 2016 Olympics, gold medals at the 2015 and 2017 World Championships, silver medals at the 2019 World Championships, bronze medals at the 2010 World Championships, and his four Includes three European Championship wins.
He had a chance to win a medal at the 2021 Tokyo 2020 Olympics as the No. 1 ranked grappler, but lost to American Kyle Dake in the bronze medal match.
Chamizo will turn 32 in July, so competing in his third Olympics is certainly an imperative at this stage of his career as he turns his attention to qualifying opportunities in Turkey.
