Idman.biz
Nuran Rzazade became the first athlete to win a gold medal in the boys' karate (kumite) competition of the III CIS Games held in Mingachevir. He defeated Tamirlan Magomedov (Russia) 4:1, Dayanch Keletliyev (Turkmenistan) 8:4, and Oleg Melyokhin (Belarus) 2:2 in Group A in the 67 kg weight category. He lost only to Erlan Akylbek Uulua (Kyrgyzstan) 4:6 in the group. Nuran, who defeated his compatriot Aslan Dostuyev 3:3 in the semi-final, took revenge on the Kyrgyz athlete in the final – 7:3.
Idman.biz reports with reference to prosport.az that the 23-year-old athlete gave an interview after the championship.
We present that interview:
– You became a champion by defeating the Kyrgyz opponent you lost to in the group in the final. What feelings were you experiencing at that moment?
– Thank God, God granted us the championship. We have been preparing for this tournament for 2 years, because the competition was held in our country and our responsibility was even greater. The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Azerbaijan Karate Federation have supported us for a long time. We had training camps in Gusar, athletes came from abroad, and we participated in foreign training camps. As a result, our results today are satisfactory. I had 4 fights in the group stage – I won 3 and lost 1. Then I faced my compatriot in the semi-finals. In the final, I defeated the Kyrgyz athlete I lost to in the group.
– Why did you lose to the Kyrgyz athlete in the first match, and what mistakes did you correct in the final to defeat him?
– Sometimes it happens that you build the fight wrong, something doesn't go right. This is sports, it is inevitable. But thanks to the correct analysis I made in subsequent matches and the correct tactics I built, I won in the final.
– Who are you a student of?
– My personal trainer is Asiman Gurbanli. He is also my maternal uncle's son. God willing, tomorrow (today) he will also step on the tatami. Our wish is to return from here with 2 gold medals.
– Who do you dedicate the victory to?
– I dedicate my victory to my martyred brother Hasan Rzazade. He has been my biggest supporter. I still feel his support today. He is always with me spiritually. I think he is proud of me. I always try to be a worthy brother to him.
– You gave a military salute during the award ceremony. What is this related to?
– I am currently a soldier (serving in the Ministry of Emergency Situations - ed.). The Azerbaijani soldier is capable of everything. The Azerbaijani soldier is capable of everything.
