---
title: "Alexandru Novac returns home after historic performance"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/89650/alexandru-novac-returns-home-after-historic-performance
published: 2026-11-13T14:22:08Z
language: en
author: "Dmitri Ciolacu"
section: "Sport"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Alexandru Novac returns home after historic performance

> Judoka Alexandru Novac has returned home after making history by winning the bronze medal at the European Judo Championships for deaf athletes. His achievement marks a first for Moldovan sport.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/8ef78bc9-b466-474a-9881-050ec44c84dc.jpg)

Judoka Alexandru Novac has returned home after making history by winning the bronze medal at the European Judo Championships for deaf athletes. His achievement marks a first for Moldovan sport.

Relatives, his coach, and members of the Association of the Deaf of the Republic of Moldova welcomed Novac at the airport. In Baku, Azerbaijan, the 19-year-old athlete competed in the under-60kg weight category; he defeated opponents from Bulgaria and Croatia, lost in the semifinals to an athlete competing under a neutral flag, and then won the bronze-medal match against a judoka from Turkey.

"I’ve been practicing judo since I was nine, and I put in a tremendous amount of effort to achieve this result. I prepared thoroughly for the European Championships. I’d actually say the training sessions were tougher than the competition itself," said Alexandru Novac.

"Alexandru is a talented young man. He also competes in domestic championships, where he has won medals. He’s a guy with real character. I’d like to thank the coaches who worked with him previously—Mr. Petru and Mr. Cătălin—back where he grew up, in Leova," stated coach Alexandru Ciuș.

"Results like these are very important. There are many challenges these days, but our association encourages young people to get involved in sports. Naturally, Alexandru needs a sports scholarship to continue his development," said Ruslan Lopatiuc, president of the Association of the Deaf of the Republic of Moldova.

"We organized the athlete's travel to the competition using our own resources, but we also received financial assistance from the Deaflympics Committee of Azerbaijan," noted the President of the National Deaflympics Committee. Alexandru Novac plans to compete in the World Championships and Grand Prix events next year, but he also dreams of the 2029 Deaflympics.