After the World Judo Championship in St. Petersburg, a meeting with the heroes of the tournament took place. According to the results of the competition, the Russian Inal Tasoev became the second due to a referee's mistake. However, a well-composed appeal of the federation, which did not look for «intrigues of enemies» in the verdict, and a balanced position of the IJF led to the triumph of justice. Tasoev was recognized as the world champion. The judoka told Sport how he took this news.
— How did you find out about the decision of the IJF?
— At the training camp in Sochi, where now I am. I was informed about this by the coaches of the national team and the sports director of the Russian Judo Federation Kirill Denisov. Just walked into the gym for a workout. The guys were asked to stop for a moment, teammates warmly congratulated.- Have you already been told when and where the well-deserved award will be presented? — There is no information yet. I just know that I became the world champion. This is the main thing.
— When you get a gold medal, what will you do with a silver one?
— If you are asked to pass, then as a law-abiding athlete I will return . Of course, I would like to keep both awards and hang them side by side.
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— Where do you store your awards?
— Houses in North Ossetia. Mom takes care of it. When I bring some awards from competitions, I give them to her. A small corner of sports glory has already formed, which she follows. I hope that over time there will be enough medals for a small museum.
— Did your opponent in the final, Frenchman Teddy Riner, somehow react to the decision of the IJF?
br>- There were no messages from him, or any reaction from the Frenchman's entourage. Yes, I did not expect. Still, we are rivals on the tatami and should turn each other on, not support. Although I have the deepest respect for the three-time Olympic champion Riner. He is a great judoka.
— How did your comrades in the Russian national team congratulate you? br>
— We are now at the training camp, and with a strict sports regime. When the national team coaches announced the IJF decision, I was shaken a little. In the evening we sat, ate Ossetian pies, and had a great conversation. At 11 p.m. — lights out. No time to celebrate! Besides I do not consider, that in my destiny something has changed. It's nice that the referee's mistake has been corrected, but there are new competitions ahead, which have the highest goals.
— Is it important for you that after the revision of the results of the 2023 World Cup, more points will be awarded in the ranking, which affects getting to the Olympics?
— For me, this is the most important moment. I even asked the coaches not about whether it was possible to hope for a gold medal, but about whether it was possible to give points for the first place. Nothing more was needed. The Olympic ranking is by far the most important thing.
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— What competitions will you go to after the completion of the training camp?
— So far, the coaches have not announced their competitive plans. Now any tournament is important for Russian judoists, and the title of world champion obliges me to a lot.
— After winning the Stanley Cup or the Gagarin Cup, hockey players shave off their beards. Will you part with yours by becoming an Olympic champion?
— Actually, this is part of my image, but on the occasion of the Olympic victory, of course, I will shave. I hope you keep company!