Ruzanna Mammadova: “I Hope I Will Break the Spell This Time”

August 14, 2025

Interview with Ruzanna Mammadova (62 kg), U20 European women’s wrestling champion:

– How is the preparation for the World Championships going? How ready do you feel for the competition?
– Preparation for the World Championships is going well. We are already in the second week of the training camp. Now we are doing lighter sessions because the competition is near. I feel good. How ready I am will be shown at the competition.

– Recently, injuries have been an obstacle for you in competitions. Is there any problem this time?
– There is always a problem. I have a serious knee injury. Hopefully, I will consider surgery after the competitions. For now, I endure the pain and continue training.

– Three years ago, you became U17 European and World Champion. This year, you have a chance to repeat the same result at U20 level. Do you think it will happen? What is needed for that?
– Hopefully, it will happen. I really want it to happen. As you know, my last world medal was my world championship title in 2022. Since then, for some reason, I haven’t been able to achieve results at world championships. I hope I will break the spell this time. I really want it.

– Who will be your main opponents on the way to the world title?
– As you know, the World Championships are very challenging. There are strong wrestlers from Asia and America. From Europe, I can mention my Russian opponent. It will be a tough competition. Hopefully, we will manage.

– Do you watch the matches of the opponents you consider main rivals and analyze their strengths and weaknesses?
– Of course, I do. Before every competition, I check the United World Wrestling website. For any opponent I consider important or might face, I watch all of their matches one by one.

– Do you plan to try yourself in a higher weight class in the future, or will you continue at 62 kg?
– I can’t say anything specific about weight. Sometimes my weight changes for certain reasons. I can continue my career at 62, 65, or 68 kg. It depends on my physical condition in the future.

– What qualities are you working on to become stronger?
– I am focusing mainly on functional preparation and endurance.