Oleg CRETUL: "I thought about retiring, but couldn't resist"

The Paralympic judo champion claimed gold at the 2025 World SAMBO Championships and revealed his future plans.

Oleg Cretul, representing Moldova, is a para-judo legend with gold from the 2008 Paralympics and participation in the 1996 Olympic Games. He unexpectedly became world champion in Blind SAMBO in Bishkek. The athlete, who also serves as chairman of the Paralympic Committee of Moldova, claimed the title in the under-98kg weight category. In an exclusive interview with the FIAS website, he explained why he nearly skipped the tournament, how he defeated the reigning world champion, and why para-SAMBO is “a force for good” for the entire world.

When Oleg Cretul stepped onto the top of the podium at the World Championships in Bishkek, few knew that just a week earlier, he'd been questioning whether to compete at all. The 53-year-old athlete with an incredible journey – from novice sambist to Paralympic judo champion – returned to his roots and proved that age and doubts are no obstacle when the wrestling spirit burns within.

Oleg, congratulations on the gold! You admitted you considered not coming at all. What changed your mind?

Honestly, when I heard about the championships, I had doubts. I thought – that's it, I'm not getting any younger, time to hang it up. But my coach said, "Let's go!" I used to compete in SAMBO, and I'd always wanted to bring home a medal specifically in para-SAMBO. When I learned such a discipline existed, I decided this would be my final appearance at a world championship.

And what are your impressions now that you've experienced it all?

The World Championships were simply excellent! I think para-SAMBO is developing in absolutely the right direction. Everything was organized beautifully. I'm confident next year will be even better. This discipline has a great future ahead.

So have you changed your mind about retiring? Will you come back to defend your title?

(Laughs) I don't know, I don't know... I'm not getting any younger, probably. But anything's possible in life. I used to compete in sighted SAMBO too, so I've got the experience. We'll see.

In the final, you faced reigning world champion Pavel Selivanov. Did you prepare specifically for him?

You know, in wrestling, everything is decided on the mat. What's the difference – world champion or European champion? Today you're a champion, tomorrow you're not. That's the nature of combat sports! You can't predict who'll win beforehand. Everyone comes for gold, just like we do. The bout shows everything.

This year, the International SAMBO Federation received IPC recognition. There's now a real chance of getting into the Paralympic Games program. How do you assess the prospects?

I genuinely want para-SAMBO to be included in the Paralympics. It would give another opportunity for our athletes, representatives of our team, to win medals. We have a professional approach – my coach Vitaly Pavlovich competed in SAMBO himself, he was a wrestler. I'm confident we can bring our athletes up to a high international level.

What are you doing besides sports now?

I'm helping my coach. He's involved in coaching, and I think we're doing well! We want to develop our youth so that Moldova's anthem is heard at international competitions.

Do you have the ambitious goal of making Moldova number one in para-SAMBO?

We'll develop both para-SAMBO and para-judo. The main thing is that our athletes want to do it. They need to love the sport, to train with pleasure. And we have the people – both girls and guys. There are people who want to do combat sports. So development is moving forward!

What do you think about para-SAMBO being part of the main event of the year for all sambists – the World Championships – rather than held separately?

It's very, very good! Para-athletes need to understand they're respected and valued. Para-SAMBO or regular SAMBO, Combat SAMBO – they're the same people, you understand? I think it's a huge plus for para-SAMBO that everything happens together.

How important is this kind of sport for the socialization of para-athletes?

You know, even in the final I competed against our friend Pavel. He once saw and heard that para-judo and para-SAMBO existed, called his friends, started training. And now the whole world knows about him!

People in different countries learn about these opportunities and achievements through the media and come to the gyms. We're doing a common good – moving forward and helping people get back on their feet. That's the most important thing.