"Our team is still getting ready in Colorado, USA. We are working on technical and tactical exercises here after receiving physical training in Baku, and this is a very high-level conference. Also, boxers are in a fantastic mood."
Idman.biz reports that Pedro Roque, head coach of the men's national team, told the press service of the Azerbaijan Boxing Federation.
The experienced specialist evaluated the current state of the national team, announced the preparation plan for the Paris-2024 Summer Olympic Games and expressed his desire to achieve historical success on the 100th anniversary of Azerbaijani boxing.
According to Roque, the training camp for the Olympic weight classes in the US state of Colorado is going according to plan, and the preparation that will last until February 1 will be very useful for the team: "The condition of our boxers is at a very high level and I am satisfied with each of them. All preparations continue according to plan. The goal is to reach the peak and achieve good results until the Olympic qualification tournaments. We want to win some more licenses. In addition to the US national team, the English national team also participates in the meeting. Many world champions and Olympic medalists also train with us. The joint gathering will greatly benefit our boxers from the point of view of development. In short, it's a great opportunity before license tournaments. We are also planning 3-4 test matches with the USA and England teams."
Roque expressed confidence that they will succeed in the Olympic year: "Our expectations are very positive. So far, we have won 2 licenses and our goal is to have at least 3 more licenses and contribute to Azerbaijan boxing with high results. I believe that we will represent our country this year as well. Two qualification tournaments in Italy and Thailand await us ahead. Our boxers will try their luck to get at least 5 out of 7 licenses.
The Cuban specialist, who holds several records in the national team as head coach, emphasized that his goal is to return with a gold medal from the Paris-2024 Summer Olympic Games on the 100th anniversary of Azerbaijani boxing: "This year is a significant one for our boxing family. We also want to make our contribution to the 100th anniversary of Azerbaijani boxing. We are constantly working hard to give Azerbaijan boxing a first in the jubilee and Olympic year, sing our national anthem at the Olympics and return to Baku with a gold medal. We came very close to it in Rio de Janeiro 2016. But unfortunately, we stopped at 1 step of the championship. This year, I really believe in it. Because the federation, the country and the people have great hopes for us. We will try not to waste their trust and bring a special gift to the anniversary."
Roque also said that Murad Allahverdiyev (80 kg) and Mahammad Abdullayev (+92 kg), who have already received a license, have started training with a special program. He said that the Olympians are in special attention in the US camp: "They are also in the training camp with us in Colorado. We have started working with a special program under my supervision. We believe that everything will be at a high level until the start of the Paris-2024 Summer Olympic Games. At the meeting, our main focus is on collecting the best form for qualifying in the other 5 weight classes for which we have not obtained a license."
It should be noted that the licensed I World Qualifying Tournament will be held on March 4-11 in Busto Arsizio (Italy), and the II World Qualifying Tournament will be held in Bangkok from May 26 to June 2. Paris-2024 Summer Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11.
Idman.biz
