Congolese Student from Russia Wins Bronze at World Mas-Wrestling Championship

 At the World Mas-Wrestling Championship held in Mongolia, Africa was represented by 11 participants, primarily students from Russian universities. In the under 60 kg weight category, Varnele Jarnie Kimpiadi from the Republic of Congo secured a bronze medal. This achievement was announced by Jocelyn-Patrick Mandzela, the president of the "African Center" NGO and honorary consul of the Republic of Congo in Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast, to the "African Initiative."

Kimpiadi, a student studying in Bashkortostan, was able to participate in the international tournament thanks to the support of the "African Center" and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Congo. Representatives from the NGO arranged a training camp for the athlete in Congo, assisting with logistics, equipment, and financing for the trip.

The athlete shared that he was introduced to mas-wrestling in 2022, during his second year of undergraduate studies. Preparation for the tournament took two months, during which he trained in Congo.

"The year 2025 marked my return to the international stage. In 2024, I paused my training entirely for a year to complete my undergraduate degree. Nevertheless, I managed to climb the podium again, and this second bronze confirms my status as a strong athlete. If I had been able to train throughout the year, the result might have been even higher," Kimpiadi stated.

According to him, the path to the medal was challenging. In the first match, he defeated a seasoned Egyptian athlete with a 2-0 score. He lost in the semifinals to the 2024 Kyrgyz champion, who is also the coach of the junior national team of Kyrgyzstan, with a 0-2 score. In the match for third place, he decisively won over a representative from Kazakhstan, securing the victory with a 2-0 score.

"Athlete Kimpiadi, who received our unwavering support at this World Championship, can count on us in future international sporting events. Our social mission in sports support has been ongoing since 2023, including the participation of Congolese gymnasts in the International Rhythmic Gymnastics Festival and their month-long internship in Sochi, as well as the participation of Congolese national judo and sambo teams in high-level training camps in Sochi and Armavir in March 2025," Mandzela emphasized.

Athletes from Angola also won bronze medals in the men's under 85 kg and women's under 65 kg categories. A representative from Ghana received a commendation diploma in the under 105 kg category.

Mas-wrestling is a combat sport from Yakutia, based on strength-driven stick pulling. Two athletes sit facing each other, brace their feet on a special board, and attempt either to pull the opponent over or to wrest the stick from their hands upon the referee's signal.