"GOLDEN" GRAND PRIX

The International Wrestling Grand Prix of Paris was memorable for the success of the Azerbaijani team, who won 14 medals at the tournament. In this Grand Prix the competition was organized according to a mixed system, with men and women competing on the same day. On the first day of the tournament the women competed in the 48kg, 55kg, 60kg and 69kg categories, the Greco-Roman wrestlers in the 66kg, 71kg, 80kg and 98kg categories and the free-style wrestlers in the 57kg, 65kg, 74kg and 97kg categories.

By winning two silver medals on the very first day, the Azerbaijanis showed they could compete without their leading athletes. Succumbing only in the final bouts, Alena Kolesnik (55kg) and Natalya Sinishina (60kg) took second place on the podium.

The same day, our Greco-Roman wrestlers each won one gold, silver and bronze medal. Elvin Mursaliyev (80kg) proved superior to all his rivals, beating wrestlers from Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden. On his way to the final in the 66kg category, Kamran Mammadov beat wrestlers from Portugal, Hungary, Austria and Poland. Unfortunately, in the final he lost to the Pole and had to be satisfied with a silver. 

After starting the tournament with a victory over an Austrian, Orxan Nuriyev (98kg) lost in his next bout to an Estonian. However, with the Estonian reaching the final this gave Orxan the chance of a bronze, which he took advantage of, beating the Swede Robert Avanesyan in the deciding match.

The Azerbaijani free-style wrestlers brought home two gold and two bronze medals on the first day. Having overcome all their rivals, Magomed Muslumov (65kg) and Olympic champion Sarif Sarifov (97kg) became Grand Prix winners.

The brothers Haci (65kg) and Yasar (57g) Aliyev brought bronze medals for our country. Haci beat the Hungarian in his decisive bout, whilst Yasar overcame his team-mate Mircalal Hasanzada.

Day Two of the tournament saw battles in the 53kg, 58kg, 63kg and 75kg categories for women; the Greco-Roman wrestlers fought in the 59kg, 75kg, 85kg and 130kg categories and the free-style wrestlers in the 61kg, 70kg, 86kg and 125kg categories.

On that day the female wrestlers had to be satisfied with one bronze medal, which was won by Irina Netreba (58kg).

The Greco-Roman wrestlers won two bronze medals. After beating wrestlers from Kazakhstan and Poland, Murad Mammadov (59kg) lost in the semi-final to the Frenchman. Then Mammadov beat an Israeli and took third place on the podium. A bronze medal also went to Islam Abbasov (85kg), who beat the Georgian.

That day our free-style wrestlers were awarded a silver and a bronze. The silver went to Camaladdin Mahammadov in the super-heavy weight category (125 kg). After beating wrestlers from Hungary, USA and Poland, Magomedov reached the final where he lost to the Ukrainian. And although Ruslan Dibirhaciyev (70kg) was beaten in his first bout, because his opponent reached the final Ruslan was able to compete for the bronze and in the decisive battle he triumphed over the American.

Having won a total of two gold, one silver and three bronze medals, the Azerbaijani free-style wrestlers took first place in the team event. The Greco-Roman wrestlers had one gold, one silver and three bronze medals in the team event and this took Azerbaijan up to second place. Our female wrestlers, who won two silver and one bronze medal, took sixth place in the tournament.

Unfortunately, Togrul Asgarov did not show what he was capable of at the Grand Prix in France. Having not competed in competitions for some time, the Olympic champion did not pick up an award, losing in his second bout. Indeed, Asgarov flatly refused to compete for third place in the 70kg category. Claiming a leg injury, he declined to fight the Azerbaijani Ruslan Dibirhaciyev. But a doctor examined him and found that Asgarov had no such injury. But Dibirhaciyev, who qualified for the next round because of Asgarov's refusal, eventually took the bronze medal.

The Azerbaijani team's head coach, Firdovsi Umudov, commented on the Olympic champion's performance in an interview for R+. He said that Togrul Asgarov's refusal will become a subject of discussion: "He will have another medical examination in Baku. An X-ray will be taken of his leg to see how it is. If it is proved that Asgarov is not injured, he will be punished in the appropriate way by a joint decision of the leadership of the federation and the coaching team. Everyone must be made aware that any wrestler who refuses to take to the mat without a good reason will be punished."

Umudov said that no wrestler, whoever he may be, who has shown a disregard for discipline should be included in the national team: "You have become European champion, world champion and Olympic champion, and this has been much appreciated by our state and the leadership of the federation. Now you must be an example to young people. We put no constraints on anyone. If you do not wish to compete, announce that your career is over, then thank the state and the management and say you are retiring. Otherwise, you are deceiving the coaches of the national team and the management of the federation, and the state, and all sports lovers. After all, everyone looks up to you. Sarif Sarifov is also an Olympic champion, but he took to the mat, fought and won. Togrul's behaviour had an extremely negative impact on us. We can only give a proper appraisal of him after a thorough analysis."

For Togrul, failure in Paris should be a final warning. This was his second competition following his success at the Olympics. At the first one - the world championship, where he performed after a two-year break - Asgarov also went out at an early stage. It was felt that he was finding it hard to recover his old form and his sporting future was in doubt. If Togrul fails to recover his form in the next two months, it will be impossible for him to take part in the European Games.

Azerbaijan's 14 medals at the tournament in Paris show that the team's preparations are going according to plan. The next step is the battle for the World Cup. After that the coaches will name the wrestlers who will defend Azerbaijan's honour at the European Games.