1. Life
Siarhei Kukharenka was born on 8 May 1976. He hails from Homiel, Belarus. Kukharenka stands at 74 in (188 cm) tall and primarily competed in the -90 kg weight class, though he also competed in lighter and heavier categories during different stages of his career. He is also known by the transliteration シャルヘイ・クハレンカSiarhei KukharenkaJapanese.
2. Judo Career
Siarhei Kukharenka's judo career began in the junior ranks before he transitioned to the senior level, where he competed extensively in World and European Championships, as well as the Olympic Games and other major international tournaments.
2.1. Junior Career
Kukharenka first gained international recognition in his junior career. In 1995, he competed at the European Junior Judo Championships in Valladolid, Spain, where he earned a bronze medal in the -78 kg category. This early success set the stage for his future endeavors in senior competitions.
2.2. Senior Career
As a senior judoka, Siarhei Kukharenka became a prominent figure for Belarus, consistently competing in various international events across several weight classes, including -78 kg, -81 kg, -90 kg, and -100 kg.
2.2.1. World and European Championships
Kukharenka was a regular participant in both the World Judo Championships and European Judo Championships, securing significant medals at both events.
In 1996, he competed in the 1996 European Judo Championships in the -78 kg category, finishing in fifth place. Three years later, at the 1999 European Judo Championships, he moved up to the -81 kg category, where he placed seventh.
His most significant European achievement came in 2002 at the 2002 European Judo Championships held in Maribor, Slovenia. Competing in the -90 kg division, Kukharenka earned a silver medal. The following year, 2003, was particularly successful for him on the world stage. At the 2003 World Judo Championships in Osaka, Japan, he secured a bronze medal in the -90 kg category. In the same year, he also competed at the 2003 European Judo Championships, finishing fifth in the -90 kg division.
2.2.2. Olympic Participation
Siarhei Kukharenka represented Belarus at the Olympic Games on multiple occasions. He made his Olympic debut at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, where he competed in the -81 kg category but was eliminated in the second round. His second Olympic appearance was at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Competing in the -90 kg category, he placed ninth overall, losing in his first match to Hiroshi Izumi of Japan.
2.2.3. Other International Tournament Results
Beyond the major championships and Olympics, Kukharenka competed in numerous other international judo tournaments, achieving several notable results.
In 1999, he earned a bronze medal at the Grand Slam Moscow (then known as the Russian International) in the -81 kg category. In 2002, he achieved a gold medal at the World Cup Warsaw (Poland International) in the -90 kg division. Later in his career, in 2006, he secured another bronze medal at the Grand Slam Paris (French International) in the -90 kg category. The following year, in 2007, he competed in the French International again, this time in the -100 kg category, where he won a silver medal.
3. Major Achievements and Awards
Siarhei Kukharenka's career was marked by consistent performance and several significant medal wins at both junior and senior levels of international judo competitions.
| Year | Tournament | Place | Weight class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | European Junior Judo Championships | 3rd | -78 kg |
| 1999 | Grand Slam Moscow (Russian International) | 3rd | -81 kg |
| 2002 | World Cup Warsaw (Poland International) | 1st | -90 kg |
| 2002 | European Judo Championships | 2nd | -90 kg |
| 2003 | World Judo Championships | 3rd | -90 kg |
| 2006 | Grand Slam Paris (French International) | 3rd | -90 kg |
| 2007 | French International | 2nd | -100 kg |