“Russia is once again ready to dominate the world”, that is what the Wrestling Federation of Russia President Mikhail Mamiashvilli has to say in his first interview of 2020. In an interview with the official website of the federation, Mamiashvilli who himself won 1988 Seoul Olympic Gold declared Abdulrashid Sadulaev as the Freestyle team captain for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Excerpts of the interview with the wrestling.rus is given below –
How do you sum up year 2019 for the Russian Wrestling
Mikhail Mamiashvili : The outgoing year was difficult and significant for us. In the world championship at Nur-Sultan, where the first Olympic licenses were played, and a number of events that we held in our country, we performed with great courage and dignity. Russia declared itself as team that is really ready to reaffirm that we are the strongest team in the world. The team of wrestlers led by Abdulrashid Sadulayev, Greco-Roman with two-time Olympic winner Roman Vlasov and Natalia Vorobyova in the women section performed brilliantly. All this inspires us with hope that everything will turn out successfully for us in the Olympic year. I am convinced that all the difficulties that we have in Russian sport will be overcome. We believe in the business we are engaged in, believe in success, in children, in coaches. Victory in the name of our country is our common desire. We are proud to be part of our team!
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– What will be especially remembered for the past year?
Mikhail Mamiashvili : The fact that we again spent this year at a high level, in all respects was the high point. The brilliant performances of the guys – both at the pre-Olympic world championship, at the European championship, at the European games. The magnificent organization of the World Cup in Yakutsk, a spectacular end point for the season in Moscow, a brilliantly organized match meeting between the national teams of Russia and the world. 2019 is the year we will remember with a smile. Of course, we don’t have time to rest on our laurels – work is already underway to prepare for the Olympic Games. We still have to get the missing licenses, pick the strongest team so that everyone who gets into the Olympic composition and arrives at the Tokyo Games fights there for the highest step of the podium. 2020 will see Tokyo Olympics with new set of norms – 16 people in each weight, which means that every fourth participant in the Olympic Games will leave home with a medal. World competition is growing. Recently, Vladimir Putin said that wrestlers sometimes surprise him – when they lose, and we will do everything possible so that all the citizens of our great country and our leader are proud of our results and see our wrestlers only in the spotlights and with gold on their chests.
You have identified the captain of each of our team. How important is the presence of such a titular leader in the national team?
Mikhail Mamiashvili : Yes we have nominated and appointed coaches for each category for Tokyo 2020. Roman Vlasov, Abdulrashid Sadulaev and Natalya Vorobyova will be our leaders for the Olympics. They are not just the team captains, they are contenders for the Olympic gold medals in Tokyo. Of course, it is important that they lead the guys by their example, advice, guide them on a victorious path, demonstrating complete dedication to their cause. Natalya Vorobyeva returned after the birth of the child to the team – and we have the best result in history. Roman Vlasov already has two Olympic Gold medals, he is a great champion and will do well again. Abdulrashid Sadulayev is still a young guy – but already an idol of millions not only in Dagestan and Russia, but also throughout the world. I am convinced we will dominate the world at Tokyo 2020.
