Moscow, April 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The lone survivor of an avalanche that killed six teenagers in the southern Siberian republic of Tuva last month has won a silver medal at Russia’s kickboxing championships.
Anton Salchak, 17, lost the juniors title fight to fellow Tuvan Kezhikom Mongush last week, according to a statement on the regional government’s website Tuesday.
The second-place finish comes merely three weeks after Salchak and six friends, aged 14 to 18, were hit by an avalanche March 3 on Ak-Bashtyg mountain, about six kilometres from the remote village of Mugure-Aksy.
The seven boys had climbed the mountain to plant prayer flags, a ritual meant to bring good luck.
After escaping the avalanche, Salchak alerted rescue crews, prompting a six-day search for his missing friends. The body of the sixth teenager was discovered March 9.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
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