Weightlifter Polina Guryeva has received a series of gifts at a special ceremony organised by the Turkmenistan National Olympic Committee following her Olympic silver medal at Tokyo 2020 ©OCA

Turkmenistan’s first-ever Olympic medallist, weightlifter Polina Guryeva, has received a series of gifts to mark her achievement at a special ceremony in Ashgabat.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the son of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who is also the President of the National Olympic Committee, handed Guryeva three white-lacquered boxes.

One contained keys to a three-room apartment in the capital, the second held keys to a white Lexus SUV and the third $50,000 (£36,000/€43,000) in cash.

Polina Guryeva won the Olympic silver medal in the women's 59kg category at Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images
Polina Guryeva won the Olympic silver medal in the women's 59kg category at Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images

"I cordially congratulate you on this significant event, testifying to the growth of the authority of independent Turkmenistan in the international sporting arena," Serdar said.

The 21-year-old joins a select group of Turkmens who have won Olympic medals.

They include late Marat Nyýazow, a silver medallist in the 50-metre rifle three positions event at Rome 1960 for the Soviet Union, and Daniyar İsmayilov, who also won a silver in the 69kg weightlifting at Rio 2016 representing Turkey.

Polina Guryeva celebrates becoming the first Turkmenistan athlete to win an Olympic medal since its debut at Atlanta 1996 ©Getty Images
Polina Guryeva celebrates becoming the first Turkmenistan athlete to win an Olympic medal since its debut at Atlanta 1996 ©Getty Images

Turkmenistan made its Olympic debut at Atlanta 1996 following the break-up of the Soviet Union, but this was the first time they had an athlete on the podium.  

“I dedicate this medal to our President and the Turkmen people in honour of the 30th anniversary of the independence of Turkmenistan,” Guryeva said.