ON OLYMPUS FOR THE FIRST TIME

Azerbaijan's first medal in the London Games was won young weightlifter Valentin Hristov. Our athlete has also broken two records by winning Azerbaijan's first ever Olympic medal in weightlifting and becoming the youngest Olympic medalist of the country. Finishing with a bronze medal at age 18, he has updated the record of boxer Vugar Alakbarov who achieved the same result at age 19.

Valentin Hristov has shared his impressions of the first Olympic success with R +.

- Valentin, congratulations on winning bronze in the Olympics!

- Thank you. I have received many congratulations these days. Of course, it is a huge success to win bronze at 18 years of age in my first Olympic Games. But I had actually come to London to win gold. In training I was lifting bigger weights. I could lift 165-166 kg in clean and jerk. But my shoulder injury did not allow me to show the same result in London. In any case, I am happy to have won a place among the winners. During the competition I was so nervous that I didn't even know about the presence of the President and the leadership of the federation in the hall. I am very proud to have been able to live up to their expectations and make the people of Azerbaijan happy. Frankly, after the results shown by the contenders I could also finish second. But I wasn't lucky enough. Also, I was a little nervous.

- It is said that Olympic medals are very different from the awards won at world and European championships because the competition is much tougher. What do you feel after becoming an Olympic medalist and your success at the European championship?

- I still can't believe that I have won a medal. Perhaps it will take some time. Therefore, I don't feel any specific in this regard. I have achieved what I was working for. I went to London to win a medal and achieved this goal.

- This is Azerbaijan's first medal in weightlifting. Did you know that?

- I learned about that at the end of the competition. I am very glad to have become the author of this success and won a medal for Azerbaijan where I have been treated with great care. So I wanted to live up to people's expectations. The goal was the gold medal, but we had to settle for bronze. I will definitely win the next Olympics.

- Why did Tunisian weightlifter Khalil El Maoui refuse to perform his last attempt?

- First, he ordered 148 kg in clean and jerk but when he saw that others lifted more, he increased the weight by 10 kg. And when it was his turn, he realized that he had made a tactical error. He probably thought that he wouldn't be able to lift this weight and refused to continue the struggle.

- It was a close fight in your weight category. Weren't you afraid to be left without a medal?

- When I appeared on the platform, I did not know about the result of the South Korean athlete who was considered the favorite. The coaches told me nothing about that. They probably did not want this to affect my mental attitude. Having lifted 159 kg, I thought I would win gold or at least silver. Therefore, when I learnt that the gold medal was won by the South Korean and I finished third, I was a little surprised.

- So, you considered yourself a winner with 159 kg?

- Yes. But the reality was different.

- Is this why you were so happy and even kissed the bar?

- (laughs) Right. I thought that I was the champion. But the Korean showed who was the gold favorite. No-one had expected such a phenomenal performance from him. If he hadn't achieved such a high result, it could be a dream come true for me.

- What can you say about the atmosphere at the Olympics in general?

- Everything was just great. The organization of the Games was at a high level. The only disturbing aspect was that until the end of that week Azerbaijan only had one medal. But then everything changed. Double success was achieved by our wrestlers, medals were won in boxing and the success continued. All this is good.

- I guess now you think of a good rest.

- Of course. I will go to Bulgaria to join my family. I will try to regain strength.