The head coach of the national freestyle wrestling team, Khetag Gazyumov, gave an interview to the press service of the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation.
Idman.biz reports that he assessed the preparation for the European Olympic Qualifying Tournament to be held in Baku and announced his expectations from the competition.
- How is the preparation for the European Olympic Qualifying tournament going?
- After the European Championship, it was planned to hold 2 training camps before this competition. We went through the first preparation process in Guba. The meeting was very useful. It was a gathering designed mainly to increase physical strength. However, we paid attention to the improvement of tactics and technique. We are currently taking a short break. We will start the second gathering from the 17th of the month. This time we will give preference to tactical and technical work on the wrestling mat. We will hold review meetings. We plan to get in perfect form before the license tournament. We have invited test-competitors (sparring) from Russia to the training camp to be held in Baku. It is especially needed in heavy weights. Because the competition in our team is weak in this regard.
- Have you considered the team that will participate in the competition?
- Practically, the staff is clear. However, we want "number 2" to be ready for the competition at any time. Because any athlete can get sick or injured. Until the end, we will prepare 2 wrestlers in each weight for the competition. We have not announced the team yet. We don't want to show the hand until the license tournament.
- Can it be considered an advantage for our team that this competition will be held at home and in front of local fans?
- Of course. "Native walls" and the fan factor is an advantage on the one hand, but on the other hand it means a double responsibility. Experience shows that our wrestlers always wrestle well at home. I believe that our wrestlers will live up to their expectations due to the influence of their hometown and fan support.
- As you mentioned, this is also a big responsibility. Will the team be able to cope with this pressure?
- The goal of all wrestlers is to win a license to the Olympics. It cannot be otherwise. Of course, there will be psychological pressure. But our wrestlers have enough experience to handle this pressure. I hope they can do it.
- What weight do you believe we will win the license the most? Which category worries you?
- It is not right to distinguish someone. I believe in all our wrestlers who will participate in the competition. In some weights, the competition is stronger. However, this does not change our goal.
- Recently, we have been observing the influx of North Caucasian wrestlers to European countries. This has strengthened the competition in freestyle wrestling. How realistic is it to reach the target in the background of this competition?
- On the eve of the Olympics, many countries transferred strong wrestlers from Russia. This has strengthened the competition even more. But do not be afraid. You need to work, train, suffer. You have to give 100 percent every day. Our national team, consisting of both adults, youth and teenagers, has great potential. The goal of the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation and the coaching staff is to perform at the highest level at the Olympic Games and world championships.
- In the end, what would you like to say to wrestling fans?
- I want to tell them to come to the National Gymnastics Arena and call our wrestlers to victory. Both as coaches and as a federation, we do our best, hold training camps at the highest level, and demand maximum results from our wrestlers. I want the fans to be a little more patient. We all want to succeed. Hopefully, it will be so.
Idman.biz
