"I DEDICATE THIS WIN TO MY NATION"

In September, he will turn 20, but at age 19 wrestler Togrul Asgarov already has an Olympic gold medal. As a member of the Azerbaijan national team in freestyle wrestling, Togrul was showing promise from the very beginning. He first won a bronze medal in the world youth championship, then silver in the world championship among adults and in 2011 the promising wrestler won a gold medal of the European championship. He qualified for the 2012 Olympics in the first qualification tournament. And his efforts were not in vain - Togrul Asgarov has returned from London with Olympic gold. And it was the first gold medal of the Azerbaijani national team in the Games. R+ has been one of the first editions the Olympic champion shared his impressions with.

- Togrul, congratulations on the massive success! You have won Azerbaijan's first gold medal in London… 

- I am very pleased with that. You can't even imagine how many congratulations I have received. I still can't cope with the emotions. It is difficult to answer questions. I am very glad to have delighted my nation.

- Your serious preparations paid off, didn't it? 

- Indeed, preparations for the Olympics were very hard. Over the past year we further increased the intensity of our workouts. Everyone knew that my main opponent would be Russia's Besik Kudukhov, with whom we met in the final bout. Unlike other opponents, he hadn't wrestled with me before the Olympics. But, as you see, I have managed to cope with him. And everyone witnessed this victory. I am glad to have been able to give my homeland the Olympic gold.

- In fact, Besik Kudukhov is a four-time champion of the world, but you beat him with a big margin (1:0, 5:0)…

- To be honest, I do not expect this myself. If you remember, I had said back in Sofia that I would meet with Kudukhov in the final. I was waiting for this bout. But then I could not even imagine that I would win so confidently.

- Perhaps the advice of your coaches was of help in the final...

 - Of course, I was trained very seriously. I knew that there was no going back. Coaches, the Wrestling Federation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Olympic Committee played an important role in my victory.

- During the final bout head coach Firdovsi Umudov was shouting to you: "Don't pay attention!". What was he trying to say? 

- He was telling me from the beginning: "Pay no attention to the opponent - you must win". He was worried that Kudukhov's titles may have a psychological impact on me. Therefore, he tried to encouraged me.

- After the final bout the Russian athlete never congratulated you ...

- He can be understood. The defeat in the final is not good for an athlete. I myself have experienced these feelings after being defeated in World Cup finals. So I don't take offense. For me, the main thing is my title.

- Now, perhaps, 11 August will be one of the most important dates in your life?

- I knew that I had to become an Olympic champion, I knew that I would have to deal with serious opponents. I also understood that this was my chance to make history. When I was preparing for London, my coach set the target of at least reaching the final. But I have also won it. I am so overwhelmed that I still can't understand what is going on. My happiness knew no bounds when our anthem was being played.

- Who do you dedicate this victory?

- This victory made all our people happy. From the earliest days of the competition everyone was waiting for gold, because other medals had already been won. I felt that the team was on their toes. I am very pleased that our wrestlers have won two gold medals. And I dedicate my victory to the Azerbaijani people. It is our common victory.

- Now a new stage begins in your life. Olympic title, popularity...

- Many people talk about it. My goal was to become an Olympic champion and I have achieved it. I want to get some rest. The Olympic Games have taken away a lot of effort and energy. But popularity is not for me, I do not like to be in the spotlight. Of course, I experienced the happiest day of my life in London and I will try to make sure that there are as many such days as possible.