Boxing champion 'in grave condition' after horrific bear attack
Russian boxing champion Ilya Medvedev is fighting for life in hospital after fighting off a bear that killed his friend during a fishing trip.
The 23-year-old was reportedly fishing with Vyacheslav “Slava” Dudnik in the Tyumen region when they were attacked by the brown bear.
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The bear reportedly mauled Dudnik to death before turning on Medvedev.
Medvedev was able to kill the bear while defending himself with a knife, however he is said to be in a "grave condition" in hospital.
Crazy news from Russia !
Boxer Ilya Medvedev went on a fishing trip with 2 other fishermen, one of the fishermen got attacked by a bear and medvedev fought with the bear and stabbed the bear to death, Medvedev is currently in hospital in intensive care #boxing pic.twitter.com/nAGOxc9x0l— ⚜️ (@HH_boxing) October 21, 2021
Denis Chebotar told East 2 West news that he was fastening the men’s boat to the riverbank when he heard screams and shouts of “a bear”.
Chebotar then rushed into the forest after hearing gunshots.
The 41-year-old said he “saw Slava dead” and Medvedev “finishing the bear off with a knife.”
"He had time to shoot twice, then obviously retreated, recharged, and made two more shots," Chebotas recalled.
"The fifth cartridge was not completely into the chamber. He had no time."
Ilya Medvedev in 'grave condition in hospital'
Chebotar said he dragged his “barely alive” friend to the boat and rushed him to a nearby hospital.
Medvedev is reportedly in intensive care in a "grave condition" with lacerations to his head and body.
"You understand what kind of injuries can be after a bear attack," Medvedev's trainer Dmitry Kosenko said.
"And Ilya will have a very long rehabilitation. They will inform about the details.
"Everything turned out spontaneously, and indeed Ilya stabbed the bear with a knife."
The toughest human being on earth today is Ilya Medvedev. Look it up
— 𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 🔴 (@DJP6x) October 22, 2021
Crazy story about Ilya Medvedev, who won Gold at 64kg in the 2019 Russian Armed Forces Championships. He is in a coma after being attacked by a bear during a fishing trip. Reports say that the Russian boxer fought back & managed to killed the bear. https://t.co/EOuAoi86L9
— Jamie Bourne (@BoxeoBourne) October 21, 2021
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Umar Kremlev, the president of the International Boxing Association, told Russia‘s official state news agency that they would cover the cost of Medvedev's treatment.
“We are already in touch with Ilya‘s family and will provide all-round support to him and his parents, a real fighter in a difficult situation, and we very much hope for his speedy recovery,” Kremlev said.
Medvedev won gold in the 64kg weight category at the Armed Forces Boxing Championships in 2019.
The 23-year-old has taken part in the Russian Championships, as well as other national competitions.
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