THE SEARCH FOR THE STRONG

Every year, one of the most popular sports in Azerbaijan, boxing, has new champions. This year will be a serious test for the national athletes. Masters of leather gloves expect a fierce competition and challenges during the upcoming Islamic Solidarity Games held in Baku. The national boxing team will represent Azerbaijan with the strongest athletes among the teams from 54 countries participating in the Games.

Traditionally, the first event in 2017 was the national championship. It was attended by more than 200 boxers. Men competed in 10, and women - in 4 weight categories. The strongest among the men were Araz Imamaliyev (49 kg), Masud Yusifzadeh (52 kg), Tayfur Aliyev (56 kg), Javid Chalabiyev (60 kg), Iman Ahmedli (64 kg), Roman Zakirov (69 kg) Kamran Shahsuvarly (75 kg), Eldar Guliyev (81 kg), Teymur Mammadov (91 kg) and Aghalar Sadigzadeh (over 91 kg). Gold medalists among the females were Dinara Fataliyeva (48 kg), Anakhanim Aghayeva (51 kg), Mehseti Hamzayeva (57 kg) and Maryam Jabrailova (64 kg).

After the Olympic Games in Rio, the two-time world champion Magomedrasul Majidov was planning to retire, but then changed his mind. In his interview with R+, Majidov said that he would return to the ring after rehabilitation. The main goal of this season will be the Islamic Solidarity Games. The new head coach of the national team Leonid Lainsky, who replaces the Cuban specialist Pedro Roque, will decide if Majidov returns to the national team.

The Ukrainian coach, who signed his contract with the National Boxing Federation last month, answered some of our questions:

- Congratulations on your appointment! Do you have any information about Azerbaijan? How did you find the proposal made to you from Azerbaiajn?

- This is my seventh visit to Baku. Previously, I was here because of various international competitions. The last time I came here was in 2010. Over the past 7 years, Baku has changed a lot and become even more beautiful. I thank President Aliyev for this. Your people are very fond of boxing. You have good boxing traditions. Your athletes have always won medals at European and world championships. I am pleased to be working with a good team. I am a person who likes to work. Also, I would like to thank ABF for a warm welcome and care about boxing.

- Did you take your family with you as well?

- Currently, I'm alone. My wife is taking care of our parents. My father is already 80, and my father-in-law is 75. They need to be taken care. But she will visit me occasionally.

- What can you say about the general level of our championship?

- Everything was perfect in purely organizational terms. The first few days of the championship was sort of slow. But the athletes have shown themselves in the semifinals. Their tactical, technical, functional and psychological level is good. However, it is difficult for me to speak more clearly. It takes time to get acquainted with the team.

- Which weight categories will have stronger competition?

- As far as I understood, I can say that the most powerful category is 56 kg. We have eight strong boxers in this weight category. In other weight categories, we have two-three masters. But I was not very pleased with the competition in the categories of 81 and 91 kg.

- Do you have the schedule of trainings and competitions?

- Currently, the boxers are at training camp. This year we have a heavy schedule of events. We must successfully perform not only at the European and world championships but also at the Islamic Solidarity Games. At the international tournament to be held on February 20-28 in Bulgaria, we will test the national champions. There will be four boxers in each weight category. The Silk Road tournament in Baku on March 14-18 will bring together boxers, who have shown the best results.

- Under your predecessor, the Cuban coach Roque, national athletes won one silver and bronze medal in the Rio 2016. Despite this, the agreement with your colleague was not renewed...

- I cannot comment anything before my arrival. Coaching is a heavy task. Today, you are in one team, tomorrow in another. This is normal. I know that at the Summer Olympics, you won two medals. I think this is a good result.

- What are the goals set by the federation?

- Each federation dreams about winning. Azerbaijani boxers have always pleased their people medals. You have world and European champions. First of all, we must concentrate on current season. I must build a strong national team. It is necessary to intensify the competition. Each boxer must try hard to get a part of the national team. Our objective is the Islamic Solidarity Games in May. As a host country, Azerbaijan will be represented by the strongest team. To meet the expectations, the boxers have to win medals. Of course, the main goal is to win as many medals as possible and to ensure that the national anthem is heard in Baku.

- What about the double world champion Magomedrasul Majidov? Will he continue his career?

- I do not have full information about the state of team members. Majidov is an experienced and award-winning athlete. He was just unlucky. He often gets injured and should be supported. As far as I know, he will continue his career. It is up to him if he wants to take part in the Islamic Solidarity Games. For me, the form of athlete is more important than his titles. As a head coach, I can promise that only the strongest athletes will be part of the national team. There are many strong fighters in Azerbaijan. Therefore, I do not see any difficulties. The medalists of the Summer Olympic Games in Rio, Lorenzo Sotomayor and Kamran Shahsuvarly, will participate in trainings. You will see a strong team in the Islamic Games.