Idman.biz
Weightlifter Asxab Kalayev, who has repeatedly won the title of Azerbaijani champion, shared his memories of the 44-day Patriotic War.
He is currently the head weightlifting coach at the "Neftchi Sports Club" Public Union, as well as the head of the international cooperation and public relations department of the Azerbaijan Deaflympics Committee. During the war, he was an artillery commander.
Idman.biz interviewed Patriotic War participant, weightlifter Asxab Kalayev:
– How did your participation in the Patriotic War begin?
– When the war started, I was serving in the artillery troops in the Tartar region. I joined the fighting almost from the first minutes. I was an artillery commander.
– When did the war end for you?
– When Pashinyan signed the act of capitulation. I will never forget that day. It is impossible to express in words the joy and feelings we experienced at that moment – you just have to live it. We first advanced from Sugovushan, then through Aghdara to Murovdag. We heard the news of the victory there.
– After five years, what moments have left the biggest mark on your memory?
– Unfortunately, war is not just about moments full of pride and joy. I will never forget our martyrs who fought shoulder to shoulder with me. It was because of these memories that it took me a long time to return to sports. Before the war, I was repeatedly the champion and cup winner of Azerbaijan among both youth and adults.
– Maybe training could help you get rid of these memories…
– You know, body wounds heal over time, but soul wounds never do. I couldn't return to training for about four years – I felt an inner void, I had no motivation. I only started training again at the beginning of this year after talking with the new leadership of the federation.
– What are your plans for the future?
– I am thinking of participating in the Azerbaijan Cup in November. I had just finished training when you called.
– What could stop you from this goal? We hope that it is not doping, which is one of the main problems of our weightlifting…
– Of course not (laughs)! But I have seen this problem a lot throughout my career. Some people took doping, but the whole team was punished. It was very unfair. Athletes like me who never used banned substances were left out of the most important competitions, such as the European and World Championships. Thank God, now, under the new leadership, the doping issue is being eradicated from the root. AMADA (Anti-Doping Agency) also checks us regularly.
Vugar Vugarli
