Taha Akgul is one of the best active wrestlers. But a shoulder injury has kept him out of action for long. The Turkish wrestler had booked the Olympic berth after bagging a silver medal at 2019 World Championships and was en route to Tokyo. However, the coronavirus outbreak resulted in the postponement of the Summer Games. In conversation with a Turkey daily “Fanatik”, Akgul talks about his injury, quarantine days and the future.
-As you know, wrestling is the sport with the most physical contact. What do scientists say about your normal training? Do you get opinions from them?
Akgul: Because I still have pain and I am not fully cured. At home, I do the same exercises that I do in physical therapy. My shoulder gets better as it gets stronger.
I have a nice weight gym at home, I keep storing power. I run a different region every day.
How’s your injury? When exactly will you get better, work fully and wrestle?
Akgul: While continuing my treatment, the coronavirus spread very much and my treatment was incomplete. It was very difficult for me to wrestle with this shoulder if the Olympics had not been postponed. I was going to wrestle somehow, but the championship was difficult. Because I still have pain and I am not fully cured. At home, I do the same exercises that I do in physical therapy. My shoulder gets better as it gets stronger.
It is a fact that you are physically negatively affected during the disability process. What work program will you implement to correct this situation?
Akgul: I am still continuing strength training. I couldn’t start running. I tried once, then he paid. But working out weight is not a problem. I have a nice weight gym at home, I keep storing power. I run a different area every day.
Have you received the necessary support from all stakeholders of the sports community during your injury?
Akgul: Yes. The support of our President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an was important at first. After the operation, he was looking for one to one and was concerned with the condition of my disability. Our Minister of Sports Mr. Mehmet Muharrem Kasapo?lu and our Federation President Musa Ayd?n were very interested in my treatment process, thank you.
How are you psychologically? How did you affect the fact that you have been home for a long time due to disability and treatment, and now because of a pandemic?
Akgul: Actually, I am a person who likes to spend time at home. I’ve been spending a lot of time at home before. I have a garden. I’m interested in trees in my garden. I have a garden, I plant something there. My psychology is also normal, I am with my family. We are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, the days are good at home.
We were imprisoned in our homes due to the epidemic. It is extremely difficult for an athlete. You have previously made a statement saying, “We have to work at least 4-5 hours a day, it is not possible to do this at home.”
What training program do you implement at home? Working without a partner has a negative effect on performance, how can you tolerate this in the future? When do you intend to switch to normal training pace?
Akgul: Now it was a great morale for me when the Olympics were postponed. If the Olympics were held this year, I had to have started cushion training right now. Even though I wanted cushion training right now, I couldn’t do it, I still have minor aches. But I saved time with the postponement of the Olympics. I have another year, I will not rush and I will strengthen my arm and return to the cushions. Then I can show my old working performance.
As you know, wrestling is the sport with the most physical contact. What do scientists say about your normal training? Do you get opinions from them?
Akgul: We don’t know exactly yet. We consider the recommendations of scientists. Whenever they say they can work in gyms, we start working.
Many athletes welcomed the postponement of the Olympic Games to 2021 due to the pandemic. Are you one of those who welcome positively? If it weren’t postponed, would you be able to participate in the games if it was done this year? What was the probability percent? Would you be able to keep a hundred percent form even if you attended?
Akgul: As I said above, I would catch up, but I would not be 100 percent ready for performance. I am studying at home to improve my English.
How do you spend your days outside home training? Have you ever had this time with your family?
Akgul: I was a person who likes to spend time at home. I am currently with my family. Sometimes we go to the garden, sometimes we watch movies. I train every day. We are in Ramadan, we try to keep our fast. The days are actually good, I’m not bored.
What are you spending time with? Television, books etc. Are there any culinary works? Are you cooking food?
Akgul: Frankly, I am not very interested in kitchen work. We eat whatever my mom cooks.
Can you spare time for the books? What are your preferred books?
Akgul: At this moment I focused a little on English. I try to improve my English. I’m watching videos in English. I memorize words and make translations.
I love playing football on Playstation
Do you have favorite TV shows or movies? What do you watch the most?
Akgul: I don’t watch too many TV shows and TV shows. I usually follow the news from television or phone and social media.
Playstation etc. Are you playing console games like? If you are, what game are you playing?
Akgul: I play, I like it very much. I always play football with my brother.
How are you with music? Is there a musical instrument you can use? Can you read the song, Turk?
Akgul: I just love to listen to music. There is no specific species. I like to listen to music that pleases my ear. Unfortunately, there is no instrument that I play. If I cannot be a champion in Tokyo, I will fight in K?rkp?nar. The coronavirus also has psychological effects on people.
What changes have happened to you? Has your perspective changed in life? Can we say that it is more positive in dealing with family, loved ones and friends?
Akgul: Of course it affected us too. We started to be more nervous in social life. We are happy to be with our family, this is positive, of course, but you are concerned about hygiene and social contact. Thinking about these things makes us uncomfortable. But we have to get used to it.
You announced that you will fight in K?rkp?nar? When do you think of wrestling in K?rkp?nar? After you leave the cushion, or will you continue both together?
Akgul: This will be determined by the Tokyo Olympic Games. I am thinking of going to K?rkp?nar the following year with a negative result. Although I am a champion, I continue wrestling until the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
