Idman.biz
"It is very valuable to be a world champion again. It means I haven't lowered my level."
This was stated by the Greco-Roman wrestler of the Azerbaijani national team, who won a gold medal at the World Wrestling Championship in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, in an interview with fanat.az.
We present the interview:
- You won the only gold medal in the Azerbaijani team at the World Wrestling Championship held in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, these days. Were the opponents of the others too strong?
- First of all, I am very happy that I won the world championship. Of course, I would very much like my teammates to win "gold" as well, so that their efforts would not be wasted. Apparently, the highest quality medal was in my lot. Those who are more or less interested in wrestling know that 72 kilograms is a heavy weight. I'm not saying this because I wrestle in this weight, but it really is the most competitive weight is "72".
- You have wrestled in 3 finals at the World Championship. You won the main prize in two of them. And consecutively. What does being a two-time world champion mean to you?
- It is very valuable to be a world champion again. It means I haven't lowered my level. I am trying to increase the number of titles. My goal is to win the world and European championships.
- What are your plans for next season?
- I have the world and continental championships ahead of me again. This time, I have set myself the goal of winning the main prize in both competitions.
- Ulvi, the success in the capital of Croatia will take its place in our wrestling history. But there is also a completely different and large testing ground. This is the Olympic Games. The 72 kilogram weight you are currently competing in is not an Olympic category. What do you think about moving to 77 kilograms?
- (laughs) I was asked this question in Croatia as well. I said I would think about it. I have not made a decision about this yet. We have just returned, I am currently resting and want to enjoy this championship. I will think about it after I return to training.
- Is it more important for you to win the next two World Championships and become a four-time world champion, that is, a lot of prizes, wealth, or to participate in Los Angeles-2028?
- Of course, it is also important to increase the number of my titles. But like every athlete, my dream is to participate in the Olympic Games. It's just that, unfortunately, my weight is such that it doesn't fall into the Olympics. It's neither that way nor this way. That is, it neither falls to 67 nor rises to 77. I even need to be 81-82 kilos. I need to gain mass to be able to "sit" in the weight I want. As I said, I don't want to think about it yet.
- All the achievements you have achieved in continental and world championships have taken place in European countries. Next year the world championship will be held in Bahrain, that is, on a completely different continent, climate, time zone. Are you not worried about breaking the success ranking?
- It is true that all my championships have been on the European continent. But I am not at all worried that the next world championship will be in Asia. This is our job. Changing conditions should not be a serious problem. Everything depends on preparation and adjustment. I will try to achieve individual success again. God willing, the team will also have many gold medals and we will return from Bahrain with medals.
