Azerbaijani head coach: We'll grab gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling in Tokyo 2020 - INTERVIEW

Baku. 24 April. REPORT.AZ/ The head coach of the Greco-Roman team of Azerbaijan, Shaban Donat has held a briefing ahead of the European Championships, which will start on April 30 in Kaspiysk, Russia.

Report informs, Turkish specialist shared his views on the preparation for the championship...

- The upcoming European Championship will be held in new rules. We had a good preparation period. On the eve of the race, we have had successful results at the tournaments that took place in Ukraine and Iran. Changes have taken place in the coaching staff. Rovshan Bayramov shares his knowledge and experience with young wrestlers. Emin Ahmadov works as a trainer together with him. I think a new spirit has come to the team. We will go to the championship with ambitions in all weight categories. At the European Championship we will represent Azerbaijan at the best level and we will try to raise the flag of the country. Of course, we have strong opponents. But we are also strong.

- In what weight categories we can expect a gold medal?

- Our team has experienced wrestlers such as Rasul Chunayev. We do not want to put a burden on anyone. Because it is a personal struggle, everyone is responsible for himself. Azerbaijan is an ambitious country in wrestling. We expect to win medals in all weight categories. We can win or lose. But we do not expect gold medal from every wrestler.

- What is the reason for change in weight category of 130 kg?

- We have changed the Sabah Shariati with Turman Eyyubov because he was injured in the tournament in Ukraine. In fact, Eyyubov wrestles in 97 kg. He also made good progress this season. He won a bronze medal in the tournament held in Iran. He is young and because of his current weight, we decided to try him in 130 kg category.

- Is Eyyubov temporarily in this category?

- Yes, he will return to 97 kg. If he can prove himself, he will become a permanent member of the core team.

- The Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games will be held on six weight categories. Do you pay special attention to these weights?

- Of course, these weights are in the center of attention. After 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics, all weight categories have been changed. We have young wrestlers in the Olympic weight like Murad Mammadov, Islam Abbasov, Orkhan Nuriyev. We will consider the issue of transferring Rasul Chunayev to Olympic weight in 2019.

We hope to continue with the new wrestlers. We are preparing a fire-eater Greco-Roman wrestler with good name for 2020 Olympics. We will have Olympic champion in the next Olympiics. In this regard, we will benefit from the experience of my new assistants.