br>
Akhmed Usmanov on Monday brought the Russian national team the first gold medal at the World Wrestling Championships held in Belgrade. A native of Dagestan won the non-Olympic weight category up to 79 kilograms. In the final with a score of 4:1 he beat his opponent from Georgia Vladimir Gamkrelidze.
It was the first time that the athlete took part in a tournament of such a high rank, and at an already advanced age for wrestling — 27 years old. But he did not shy away at all, but confidently dealt with everyone who came under his hot hand. Five fights — five victories. Moreover, in all of them the opponents were competitors from advanced wrestling countries — India, Iran, Azerbaijan and Georgia. And the representative of North Macedonia, Akhmad Magomedov, is a fellow Russian.
«
“The World Championship was Akhmed’s chance to fulfill his dream, mine, for my student to win gold, the dream of his family and friends, many people living in Dagestan and Russia,” said the athlete’s personal trainer Makhmud Magomedov. — After the victory, my phone was just ringing off the hook, everyone was calling — from State Duma deputy to ordinary people. After all, everyone here is involved in wrestling, and everyone dreams of his fellow countryman becoming a world champion. And our whole country stands behind us.»
«It’s nice that we are supported on social networks from all over Russia — Moscow, cities of Siberia, the Caucasus, Buryatia, Yakutia, from other regions. And this is very motivating. Therefore, we had only one option — to return from the World Championships with gold,» the specialist emphasized.
The head of the Dagestan freestyle wrestling team, Gadzhi Rashidov, called his fellow countryman’s success a true breakthrough.
“
“Ahmed fully justified our hopes. His victory is a real breakthrough, because before he was not even the European champion, but this year he became the Russian champion. He is now a world leader, and I believe that in the future he will act more confidently. Now we are thinking of moving him to a heavier weight, we will say goodbye to the category up to 79 kilograms,” the coach said in a conversation with the agency.
br>The losing streak is behind us
Ahmed was born in a small, no more than 5 thousand inhabitants, Avar village of Aknada, Kizilyurt district of Dagestan. Having become interested in sports, at the age of 12, together with his brothers, he moved to the Mecca of world freestyle wrestling — Khasavyurt. He began training with famous masters, but for a long time remained without noticeable achievements. His first success came only at the age of 21: Usmanov won the prestigious tournament in Kaspiysk — the Memorial of five-time world champion Ali Aliyev. And some fighters at this age are already trying on gold medals of the world championship.
At the end of 2021, Usmanov finally declares himself at the international level with a victory at the World Cup in Serbia. But it is not possible to consolidate leadership in Russia: only second place at the national championship next year. It seemed that he would once again return to the galaxy of “one of many.”
“
“He’s had bad times for too long, and now he really wants to prove to everyone that he deserves to be the best in the world,” Magomedov noted. “Ahmed is very disciplined, if I tell him something, I am sure that he will do everything. Because he is very demanding of himself and understands that if he wants to win, then every day he needs to give 100 percent.”
Previously, Usmanov studied with Zelimkhan Guseinov, but due to the move, the specialist transferred the student. The athlete has been working with Magomedov for the second year, gradually the tandem began to progress — victories followed for the bronze award at the All-Russian Spartakiad. Akhmed won eight tournaments in a row, including the most important one — the national championship in Kaspiysk, which opened the way for him to the world championship.
Instead of a holiday and cake — weight loss
On the eve of his debut at the important tournament, on September 16, Akhmed turned 27 years old. But the athlete had no time for celebrations on his birthday; he worked exhaustingly in the gym, losing excess weight.
«
“His overweight is usually small, three to three and a half kilograms. And his birthday in Belgrade was no different from our usual training days. Because he also had to focus on his performance. After all, participation in the World Championship is the dream of any athlete who came to the gym as a child,” said Magomedov.
Talking about the athlete, the coach noted his decency and sociability. Usmanov is friends with guys from different regions of Russia, willingly invites them to his home and goes to visit them. The athlete prefers active recreation — he likes to go to the mountains, ride horses, go fishing or travel. And during training he manages to help Makhmud Idrisovich in something — as a senior and respected colleague, he looks after the other guys, promptly tells them something, explains, advises.
«
“Ahmed grew up without a father, and his older brother Usman does a lot for him, as do other brothers and his relatives, so that he is not distracted by anything outside, but only trains and fights,” added the champion’s coach.
br>
Rashidov highlights the main qualities of the athlete who became the discovery of the tournament in Serbia.
«
“Ahmed hasn’t lost a single tournament in the last year or two. And if we had access to international competitions earlier, they would have known about it a long time ago. He has signature moves, he is a physically powerful guy with a strong character. All the qualities to go out and win. Ahmed is very sociable, he has many friends, he knows how to get along with people. Hospitable, hospitable, family man. “A decent guy, an accomplished athlete and father,” noted the head coach of the Dagestan national team.
To the crown — 10 days
Many athletes sometimes consider such successes as a kind of subscription to heaven and lower their demands on themselves. Which soon naturally leads to a decrease in results. The coach is confident that Usmanov is not in danger of star fever.
“
“After returning home, Akhmed will have about ten days to feel a little dizzy,” Magomedov reveals his immediate plans. “And then it will continue.” «All the same work, we will train even more diligently, we need to add in many ways, increase the load. After all, we are moving to the Olympic weight of up to 86 kilograms and we will try different options in competitions, test our strength in competition with top Russian wrestlers.»
«Akhmed's head will definitely not spin. And they won't let us do it, because we are surrounded by many family and friends. And they constantly remind us: you have raised the bar very high and it is no longer possible to lower it. If you suddenly relax, then we will set you the right pace. So the crown will be knocked off your head quickly,» the co-author of one of the main triumphs of the year concluded with a smile.
< br>