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Kristjan Palusalu (until 1935 Kristjan Trossmann, March 10, 1908-July 17, 1987) Estonian heavyweight wrestler born in Läänemaa, Estonia. Palusalu is best remembered for winning two gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. He was given the honor of carrying the Estonian flag to the Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium). After the Soviet Union occupied Estonia in 1940 and war broke out, Palusalu was deported to Russia. He managed to escape imprisonment, was condemned to death by the Soviet authorities, escaped again and finally reached Nazi occupied Estonia. After the second invasion by the Soviet Union, Palusalu was again arrested and was obliged to lead a reclusive life. But he was not forgotten by the Estonian people. Perhaps because his life reflected the fate of the whole nation, Kristjan Palusalu has remained one of the most popular sportsmen in Estonia throughout history.
Estonia
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