Asgərxan Novruzov: “From now on, we will gain higher quality wrestlers”

The head coach of the U-17 national freestyle wrestling team, Əsgərxan Novruzov, gave an interview to the website of the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation:

– The European and World Championships for the U-17 age group are behind us. How do you evaluate the season?

– As in previous years, we held the Azerbaijan Championship and formed the national team. We aimed to achieve high results at the European and World Championships. Throughout the year, we were provided with vitamins and training camps. In this regard, we had no problems. I would even say that this year was one of the best years in terms of preparation. We saw the benefits of this at the European Championship. We won two gold, two silver, and two bronze medals, and we became champions in the team standings. Four of our athletes came close to winning medals. They also contributed points to the team, and we became the first place in Europe with high scores. We were not able to become world champions in the team standings. This year, we aimed to achieve this goal. The team’s condition was good as well. In the competition held in Amman, we won 1 silver and 3 bronze medals. The World Championship is very challenging. Competition in freestyle wrestling has significantly increased. For this reason, some athletes whom we expected to win gold medals could not become champions. The preparation was at a high level. We will work hard to achieve our goal next year.

– Which wrestlers would you highlight based on their performances in these competitions?

– Fəqan Fətiyev in the 45 kg category came close to winning a medal at the European Championship. His peer, Rəvan Həsənzadə, wrestled brilliantly at the World Championship and finished third. İsa Yusibov (65 kg) was one of the team’s leaders. This year, he showed excellent wrestling and became the European champion. Unfortunately, he lost to a Kazakh wrestler in the first match of the World Championship. We also expected successful results from Hüseyn Hüseynov (55 kg). He performed steadily, winning bronze medals in both the European and World Championships. Hüseyn İsmayılov (60 kg) met our expectations. He won silver medals in both competitions. Məhəmməd Abbaszadə (80 kg) wrestled well but fell just short of winning medals in both championships.

– What steps should be taken to keep up with the growing competition in freestyle wrestling worldwide?

– As you know, more attention has been given to the development of wrestling in the regions over the last 2-3 years, which is very important. Wrestlers studying at the Gymnasium in Mardakan will be competitive in a few years. Clubs and societies should become more active to increase participation. After that, we will produce even higher-quality wrestlers. In any case, we are not standing still; work is ongoing. I believe that we will overcome the competition and make our mark.

– Which athletes moving to the U-20 age category next year do you see as having great potential?

– Muhəmməd İsmayılov (51 kg) became the European champion this year. He started well in the World Championship, defeating the Iranian wrestler who was the Asian champion. However, due to the energy he expended in that match, he lost to the Kyrgyz wrestler in the next round. I believe that he, Hüseyn Hüseynov, and Muxamad Qantemirov, who became European runner-up and World bronze medalist in the heaviest weight category, will also make their mark in the youth category.

– Several members of our team, which took first place at the U-15 European Championship, will join your team next year. Who would you highlight from that team?

– After the U-15 European Championship, I included the medal-winning wrestlers from that competition in our training camps. European champion İbrahim Həsənov is only 14 years old. He can still compete in the U-15 age group for another year. I believe that wrestlers like Rəşid Nazarov, Raul Məmmədoğlu, Həsən Həsənov, and Nihad Süleymanlı will strengthen our team.

– What can you say about the Gymnasiade, which will be held in Bahrain from October 24 to 30?

– While participating in the World Championship, we learned that we would also represent our country in this competition. As the name suggests, school athletes from all over the world will take part in the Gymnasiade. Therefore, I expect it to be a highly competitive event. Nevertheless, we will do our best to win gold, silver, and bronze medals.