Russia’s two-time Olympic gold medallist Roman Vlasov had once thought of switching to mixed martial arts (MMA) but now he has changed his mind. In an interview with RIA-Novosti, Russian news daily, he said: “I had many offers to pursue a career in MMA and participate in matches. But I believe that everyone should mind their own business. I chose Greco-Roman wrestling and am faithful to it. I am no longer at the age to prove something to someone in another kind of martial arts. I go about my own business, I succeed and I see no reason to rush. And whatever the suggestions, I will stay in my sport”.
Vlasov won his first Olympic gold at the age of 22 at the 2012 London games. He is 30 now, and is aiming for his third in Tokyo, Japan next year. And maybe a fourth at 2024 Paris Games.
“Many people tell me that you can prepare for the third Olympics and the fourth. But I know that you have to leave on time,” he said. However, Vlasov is yet to qualify for the games.
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At the 2019 World Championship in Nur-Sultan, the Russian wrestler suffered a shocking defeat in the quarter-finals. He lost to Askhat Dilmukhamedov of Kazakhstan 3-0. Vlasov still has the European and World Qualifiers to confirm a place for the Olympics.
Return to wrestling with gold
At the recently concluded Russian National Championship (Greco-Roman), the twin world champion bagged gold. He defeated Egor Deptsov in the finals. It was his first competition of the year since in 10 months.
He had suffered a shoulder injury in November last year, due to which he missed the European Championship in February. But the deferment of the Olympics came as a blessing in disguise for him. He got time to properly heal his injury and begin rehabilitation for it.
Vlasov had posted a video on Instagram doing rehab and focusing on strengthening his shoulders.
He wrote, “Stratodynamics. It helped me get back on track after a shoulder injury. Thanks to it, I recovered and reached the proper level. At first glance, the task is simple: work smoothly, without jerking or relaxing, in the most difficult part of the amplitude. I select such a weight that I feel a strong burning sensation in the muscles. Usually I do 3 rounds of 30 seconds with a rest of 30 seconds. 3 rounds for push-ups, 3 rounds for rope (or horizontal pull-ups), 3 rounds for shoulders. I rest for 1-2 minutes between exercises. I do 2-3 such circles 1-2 times a week, after the carpet. Trauma is not a sentence. If you are not ready to give up your dream, statodynamics is another opportunity to become stronger in spirit and body”.