Gurban Gurbanov: "I felt more responsibility this time" - IDMAN.BIZ FROM ALBANIA

"To some extent, I felt more responsibility at this European Championship because both my family and my coaches wanted me to become a European champion for the second time."

According to information provided by Idman.Biz's correspondent sent to Albania, Gurban Gurbanov said this after winning his second gold medal at the European Championship held in Tirana.

According to him, both continental championship medals are equally dear to him:

"But of course, every medal has its own path. Due to injuries, this path was more difficult for me. Hasrat Jafarov became a four-time European champion today. Of course, there is healthy competition between us, and we want to achieve even greater success. I congratulate Hasrat and the entire team."

At the same time, the athlete added that he does not aim to surpass any particular athlete, but focuses on himself:

"I have no thoughts about reaching or overtaking anyone. I just do my job. I try to fulfill the tasks set before me to the maximum. In this regard, we are in a certain sense soldiers."

He also shared his thoughts on a possible transition to the Olympic weight category:

"I don't set long-term goals. If I know that a tournament is waiting for me, I specifically prepare for it. Of course, some say that it is necessary to switch to the Olympic weight, but I do not make such decisions alone. I have a personal coach and a team of national team coaches. I understand people's wishes, and I myself would certainly like to become an Olympic champion. But it's not easy.

In this weight category (up to 87 kg - ed.) we have Islam Abbasov, the medalist of the European Championships. If I start saying that I will move there, it will not be well received within the team. I wish everyone success. If I ever have such an opportunity, everyone in our team is open to healthy competition."

Gurban Gurbanov emphasized that competition in the weight category up to 87 kg is very high:

"This year a Danish athlete became the champion. Personally, I cannot name even five wrestlers from Denmark, but he is an Olympic medalist. So, all this is not easy, you need to prepare specifically for it.

I also prepared seriously for this weight category, I did not come here by chance. But switching to this or that weight is not my personal decision."