"I SIMPLY HAD TO WIN"

He has earned Azerbaijan's second gold medal in the London Games. For Sarif Sarifov, who competed the 84 kg weight division, it was the first Olympic medal. He has won it as a member of the Azerbaijan national freestyle wrestling team. 

- Congratulations, Sarif! What does it feel like to be an Olympic champion?

- I am only beginning to understand that the Olympic gold is the highest award. Before that I won a gold medal in the world championship. But I have never experienced such emotions. Olympic Games are the most prestigious sporting event where the strongest athletes of the world compete with each other. So the Olympic gold is more valuable.

- You must have been asked this question. And yet, please recall the final bout...

- Before the final I set myself to victory. I believed that I would become the champion already in the semifinals when I defeated a rival from Iran. I had beaten him before too, for example, in the World Cup in Baku. But I had no knowledge of the wrestler from Puerto Rico. I was not familiar with his style of wrestling either.

- In fact, his advancement into the final raised a few eyebrows. After all, wrestling in Puerto Rico is not very developed ...

- I did not have any information about him. But if he has reached the Olympic final, he must be a good athlete. There can be no accidental wins in Olympic Games. No-one gives way to the opponent here. Some world champions have been knocked out in the early stages. As for our final, my coaches advised me to be careful because the unknown opponent could throw up a few tricks.

- When did you finally realize that you will win?

- I was very nervous, but I tried to get on top of my emotions in order not to inspire my opponent. I did not want him to see my excitement. I tried not to show that I am pleased to lead the score. Only after the final whistle was I finally convinced of victory.

- In total, Azerbaijani sportsmen won 10 medals in London, seven of which in wrestling ...

- This is not surprising. Wrestling is popular in Azerbaijan and many people are engaged in the sport. Going to London, we knew that it will be our wrestlers who will win the most medals. We could have won even more, but in some weight classes we were unlucky. In comparison with the Beijing Olympics though, we did better. London has felt the strength of Azerbaijani wrestlers.

- What is the secret of such a successful performance of wrestlers?

- For the whole year we trained very hard for the Olympics. We analyzed all the opponents, discovered the strengths and weaknesses of each individual. It didn't matter for me who I would meet in the final - I simply had to win. It was time to become the champion. Our Greco-Roman wrestlers and girls could have won gold too, but weren't lucky enough. I am glad that freestyle wrestlers have two gold medals, including one earned by me.

- What do you think of doing next?

- I need to have some rest. On the eve of the Olympics, we were tense, our minds were focused only on training. I want to relax a bit with my close ones and then begin training again. The career does not end at victory at the Olympics, so I need to continue training.