Ruzanna Mammadova hopes to "break the spell" at the World Championships

Azerbaijani wrestler Ruzanna Mammadova (62 kg), the U-20 European champion in women's wrestling, hopes to succeed at the World Championships

- How is the preparation for the World Championship going? How ready do you feel for the competition?

- The preparation for the World Championship is going well. We are already in the second week of the training camp. We are training lighter now because the competition is near. I feel good. The competition will show how ready I am.

- Injuries have been hindering you in competitions lately. Is there such a problem this time?

- There is always a problem. I have a severe injury in my knees. I am thinking of having surgery after the competitions, God willing. For now, I endure this pain and continue training.

- Three years ago, you became the U17 European and world champion. You can repeat the same result in U20 this year. Do you think it will work out? What is needed for this?

- God willing, it will work out. I want it to work out. You know that my last world medal was my world championship in 2022. For some reason, I have not been able to achieve results in world championships since then. I hope to break the spell this time. I want it very much.

- Which wrestlers will be your main rivals on the way to the world championship?

- You know that the World Championship is very difficult. There are strong wrestlers from Asia and America. From Europe, I can mention my Russian opponent. It will be a very difficult competition. God willing, we will cope.

- Do you watch the matches of the wrestlers you consider your main rivals and analyze their weaknesses and strengths?

- Of course, I watch. Before every competition, I check the website of the World Wrestling Federation. I watch all the matches of the wrestlers I see as main rivals or who I might face.

- Do you have any thoughts of trying yourself in a higher weight in the future, or do you want to continue at 62 kg?

- I cannot say anything specific about the weight. Because sometimes my weight increases for certain reasons. It does not stay the same. I can continue my career at 62, 65, or 68 kg. It depends on what physical condition I will be in in the future.

- What qualities are you trying to improve to become stronger?

- I am working more on functional training and endurance.