Idman.biz
"This is a feeling that is difficult to express in words. I feel very proud."
This was said by Gunay Gurbanova, the Azerbaijani female wrestler who won a gold medal in the 59 kg weight category at the U-23 European Championship held in Zrenyanin, Serbia, in an interview with AZERTAC.
We present that interview.
– Girls are usually more inclined to gymnastics or dance. What made you get into wrestling?
– I have an older sister. She also performed in the national team. I watched her since childhood and I also became interested in wrestling. One day I decided to get involved in this sport as well. So I started wrestling.
– Were there any people around you who opposed this decision because you chose wrestling?
– No, I have not encountered such an attitude. Our family is an athlete family. My sister and my father are also athletes. Therefore, they have always supported me.
– You became the European champion for the second time. How does it feel for you to raise the Azerbaijani flag to the highest level in Serbia?
– This is a feeling that is difficult to express in words. I feel very proud. It is very gratifying for me to raise the Azerbaijani flag for the second time. I have achieved this success for the second time in the European championships held in the last three years. This motivates me even more.
– How was the final meeting for you? Have you faced your Belarusian opponent Marta Hetmanava before?
– Yes, my opponent was not unfamiliar to me. I had met her in various tournaments before and won each of them. The final match was quite tense. But I tried to follow my coaches' instructions and was able to win in the end.
– When it comes to women's wrestling in Azerbaijan, Maria Stadnik is the first thing that comes to mind. Is there an athlete you consider a role model for yourself?
– I always want to write my own history. Of course, Maria Stadnik has achieved great success and is one of the legends of Azerbaijani wrestling. But the biggest example for me is my sister. She is both my sister and my coach and she always supports me.
– You have already made your mark in the U-23 age category. Do you think you are ready for competitions among adults?
– God willing, I want to achieve good results among adults as well. The most important thing for us is the instructions of the coaches. We prepare according to their advice. Everything depends on the training process and proper preparation.
– What do you think needs to be done for more girls to get involved in wrestling?
– If a person has desire and enthusiasm in their heart, everything is possible. The main thing is that a person moves forward with confidence towards the goal they have set and does not pay too much attention to the words of others.
– How realistic do you consider the Olympic medal for yourself?
– I think it's quite realistic. I would even say that with a 95 percent probability I can win an Olympic medal. I believe in myself and I see that it is possible to achieve good results. Our coaches also see our level and believe in us. In addition to me, Ruzanna Mammadova also has great potential. The main goal of all of us is to win a license for the Olympics and bring a medal to our country. We are working hard for this.
