"I didn't think the competition would be held at such a high level."
Arif Niftullayev (97 kg), Greco-Roman wrestler of the Azerbaijan national team, told Idman.biz.
He commented on winning a gold medal at the International multi-sport event “BRICS Sports Games Kazan 2024” held in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan. Niftullayev said that the competition was not behind the European and world championships: "It was even held at the level of the Summer Olympic Games. When I became the champion, I was glad that our team did not have a gold medal. Although two of our wrestlers reached the finals, they could not win due to the injustice of the judges, and were awarded silver medals. In addition, we had 3 bronze awards. Therefore, at any cost, I had to finish this match with victory. Of course, I came here to be a champion. We went through the training process at a very good level. I am happy that my wish came true."
According to him, the semi-final match was different from the others: "It is always difficult to wrestle against a local athlete. Because the atmosphere in the arena, the bias of the judges, etc. All these factors hold a person back in a meeting. But even though it was a difficult match, I managed to reach the final. Having won here, I climbed to the top of the podium."
He said that he will work to continue this success in the next competitions: "My main goal was to go to the Paris-2024 Summer Olympic Games. But for some reasons it was not lucky. Therefore, my main goal is to become European and world champion. I will work for it."
It should be noted that Azerbaijani athletes have won 4 gold, 5 silver and 8 bronze medals at the Games.
Banuchichek Huseynli
Idman.biz
