HOSTS IN THE RING

The Azerbaijani boxing squad has amazed all the fans at the First European Games. Entering bouts in 15 weight categories, the Azerbaijani boxers won 11 medals. After winning six gold, one silver and four bronze medals, the Azerbaijani squad became the best team, both in the make-up of its medals, as well as in the number of them. The Russian team came second with 10 medals, four of which were gold. Ireland's boxers came third and Great Britain's fourth with two representatives each becoming champions at the Games. Besides those mentioned above, the team from Holland managed to win a gold medal at the European Games, taking fifth place. Sportsmen from 16 countries in total won medals in the boxing tournament.

In the Azerbaijani team the following made it onto the top step of the podium of honour: Elvin Mamiszada (52 kg), Lorenzo Sotomayor (64 kg), Teymur Mammadov (81 kg), Albert Salimov (60 kg), Parviz Bagirov (69 kg) Abdulqadir Abdullayev (91 kg). Xaybulla Musalov (75 kg) won the silver medal, and Tayfur Aliyev (56 kg), Magomedrasul Macidov (91 kg), Yana Alekseyeva (60 kg) and Anna Alimardanova (54 kg) became bronze medal winners.

Competing in the 91 kg and above weight category, twice world champion Magomedrasul Macidov, who won three bouts, made it into the semi-finals. But here his advance was halted by injury. The doctors would not allow Macidov to enter the semi-final bout, so he ended the competition with a bronze medal. In an interview with Regionplus, M. Macidov noted how serious his injury was: "Although I had suffered an injury, I managed to complete the bout in the quarter finals. But then the doctors forbade me to go out into the ring in that state. If I were to do so, I might not be able to do sport for a long time to come. So, I had to submit to their request. I had dreamt of winning a gold medal at the First European Games. It didn't happen. The main aim now is to gain a licence for the forthcoming World Championship in Qatar. Once I have got that, I shall be dreaming of becoming champion at the Summer Olympic Games in Brazil."

This is what Parviz Bagirov, a trainee in the 69 kg category from the Mingacevir boxing school had to say. After defeating all his rivals in the preliminary stages, Parviz reached the final where he had to fight the Russian Alexander Besputin. Managing not to make a single error during the fight, the Azerbaijani boxer had an obvious advantage throughout the bout and was awarded a First European Games gold medal. "The bout was a difficult one. You see it is the strongest who get into the final. My opponent from Russia was the European champion. I managed to win thanks to the tactics I used. I dedicate my win first and foremost to my mother and my near and dear ones. The World Championship is being held in October. At the First European Games, I gained experience for future fights. I hope to win at the World Championship," P. Bagirov said.

Owing to the fact that Ukraine's representative, Gevorg Manukyan, suffered an injury, Abdulqadir Abdullayev became the Games champion in the 91 kg weight category without having to fight. Our boxer stressed that, had there been a fight, he would definitely have won. "I very much wanted to fight in the final. I would definitely have won. I dedicate my win to my parents. They have waited a long time for my success. At the same time, I am glad to share my victory with all the Azerbaijani people who have supported me. I shall have a rest for a little while, but then I shall start to train for the World Championship."

In the 75 kg category Xaybulla Musalov lost to the Irishman Michael O'Reilly, so he had to be satisfied with the silver medal. In an interview with Regionplus, the sportsman stated that he was not happy about his result: "I did everything that I could. I am a maximalist by nature. For me the silver medal is not such a big deal. If I don't come first, then it is best not to get any medal at all. The only consolation is that I gained the licence to take part in the World Championship. God willing, I shall try to win a permit there to compete in the Olympic Games."

After winning in the final against Vincenzo Piccardi, Vuqar Mamiszada had the pleasure of becoming champion in the 52 kg category. Having demonstrated great skill in all his bouts, Vuqar won both the sympathy of the fans and justified the hopes of his coaches: "I was only a step away from the gold medal. I didn't want to let this opportunity go to my opponent from Italy. Therefore I fought with everything I'd got. I won and got what I wanted. My opponent was pretty venerable and experienced, a prize-winner in the Olympic Games and the World Championships. But it was not very difficult for me to fight him. I had been especially thorough when training for the final fight. I was completely prepared from a psychological point of view. The decisive moment arrived and there was no going back. What is more, I knew that the Azerbaijani president was among the spectators in the hall. Besides, I had all of our people supporting me. I was therefore extremely nervous. But I managed to get over my nervousness and beat my opponent."

Albert Salimov who fought in the 60 kg category in the final defeated the Frenchman Sofiane Oumiha and became champion at the First European Games. This is how the Azerbaijani boxer, who has already won "gold" in the World and European Championships commented on his win: "Winning every medal requires enormous effort and persistence. Therefore all my medals are the fruits of untiring hard work. Winning a medal at the First European Games is an extremely important event. I promised myself that I would win a gold medal and I kept that promise. I'll have a rest for a little while and then I'll start training again. I would like to express my profound gratitude to everyone who has supported me."

In representing their country worthily, the masters of the leather glove have confirmed that they are the strongest on the continent. Having been awarded gold medals at the First European Games, the boxers have gained the opportunity to represent Azerbaijan in the World Championship which is to take place this autumn. The final line-up in Azerbaijan's squad for the World Championship will be announced in September.