The 2024 European Wrestling Olympic Qualification, which was the third regional qualifying tournament for the Paris Olympics 2024, had all eyes watching as Frank Chamizo and Turan Bayramov faced off in a semifinal match. This game would have been an opportunity for two-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Frank Chamizo to earn a ticket to Paris. Chamizo, however, controversially lost the match.

At the end of the match, with the scores tied at 8-8, Chamizo scored two points that would have secured his victory and qualification for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. However, Bayramov’s coach challenged the ruling, and the decision was ultimately overturned, leading to Chamizo’s defeat. Later, Frank Chamizo said he turned down a bribe of $300,000 to deliberately lose the match in Baku, Azerbaijan. And now, as the internet swirls with this update, did his bribe rejection follow another controversy related to a doping suspension a year ago?

Frank Chamizo’s doping suspension

According to reports from EUROSPORT shared in 2023, in 2022, Italy’s Frank Chamizo tested positive for a narcotic substance during an anti-doping test conducted at the World Wrestling Championships in Serbia. This resulted in a three-month suspension for Chamizo and the removal of the bronze medal he had won at the championships. The positive test occurred in September, during the World Championships.

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It’s noted that the substance was found in very low percentages, which might have influenced the leniency of the punishment. The suspension was the minimum required for such a violation and has already been served by Chamizo. Because of the suspension, Soner Demirtas from Turkey is now recognized as the bronze medalist in the 74 kg category for the 2022 World Championships. As we reflect on this, let us also see Frank Chamizo’s bribe rejection claims after losing his ticket to the Paris Olympics 2024.

Chamizo’s claim of bribery following his loss for the Paris Olympics 2024 spot

After Frank Chamizo lost in the European wrestling Olympic qualification tournament, he mentioned to The Associated Press feeling the need to perform exceptionally well due to the home advantage enjoyed by Azerbaijani wrestlers, insinuating that officials may have been influenced. He revealed that he was offered a bribe of $300,000 to intentionally lose his semifinal match against an Azerbaijani wrestler, Turan Bayramov.

He shared, “So I want to say it: They came to me and offered me $300,000 to lose. I don’t want to say who, but it happened on the morning of the weigh-in.” However, Chamizo refused the bribe, emphasizing his integrity and his representation of Italy. Despite his refusal to accept the bribe, Chamizo lost the match.

However, the Italian wrestling hunk still has another chance to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024 at the world qualification tournament in Turkey. As fans await to see him earn his ticket to Paris, what are your thoughts on the swirling controversies surrounding Frank Chamizo? Comment blow!

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