Five years ago, on July 27, 2021, Turkmen weightlifter Polina Guryeva made national sports history by winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. This award marked the first Olympic medal in the history of Turkmenistan's independent participation in the Games.

Guryeva competed in the 59 kg weight class and lifted 217 kg (96 kg in the snatch and 121 kg in the clean and jerk). Gold went to Chinese Taipei's Guo Xingzhun, who set an Olympic record with 236 kg (103 kg + 133 kg). Japanese athlete Mikiko Ando won bronze with 214 kg (94 kg + 120 kg).

Polina Guryeva was born on October 5, 1999, in Ashgabat. She began weightlifting at the age of 12 and made her international debut in 2013 at the Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru. She graduated from the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports and was awarded the title of Honored Master of Sports.

The Turkmenistan national team has been participating in the Olympic Games since 1996. Polina Guryeva's victory in Tokyo marked a significant milestone in the history of Turkmen sport and is remembered as one of the most remarkable achievements of Turkmen athletes on the international stage.