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An interview with Rustam Alimli, head coach of the Azerbaijani national judo team of young boys, who won 2 gold and 1 bronze medals at the European Championship held in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, to AZERTAC
– You won 2 gold and 1 bronze medals at the European Championship held in Bratislava. How do you assess your result?
– We hope for more medals in all competitions. But everything doesn't go as planned. However, we managed to take 1st place among boys at the European Championship. The first day of the competition was very successful and we won 3 medals. Of course, we had high hopes for our European champion in the 81 kg weight category, Suleyman Shukurov, who ranks 2nd in the world youth ranking, but he did not please us this time. At the same time, our other European champion in +100 kg, Ramazan Ahmadov, also showed high results in the European Cups during the year. We also expected a medal from him. But this is judo and such cases can happen at any time.
– What can you say about the fact that two judokas of the Azerbaijani national team in the 60 and 66 kg weight categories fell into the same basket and faced each other in the 1/4 finals?
– The main goal for the European Cup in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, was to increase the ranking points, and we generally achieved this. At the European Championship, the Ukrainian team did not participate. Athletes in higher positions in the ranking advanced, and as a result, our two judokas fell into the same basket. If they were in different baskets, it would have been possible for two Azerbaijanis to face each other in the final.
- What are your thoughts on the World Championship to be held in Lima, the capital of Peru?
– There are 3 weeks left until the World Championship, and this is the most important tournament of the year. Changes in the team or reduction of the squad are possible. The final decision will be made after consulting with our performance director. It should not be forgotten that even if the chance to win a medal at the European Championship is missed, it is possible to achieve success at the World Championship. For example, Nihad Mamishov and Jasur Ibadli won the title of world champion even though they were not European champions. The most important factor is the athlete's motivation. We will also decide who will be taken to the World Championship based on their current situation.
- Which judokas do you expect to win medals at the World Championship?
- We can expect a gold medal from Nihad Mamishov and Muhammad Musayev. Except for Nizami Imranov, some are athletes who are transitioning from teenagers to youth. Good results await them in the future. I believe in that.
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