MOSCOW, June 5, Vlad Zhukov. Russian chess player Sergey Karyakin told reporters that he did not understand how he managed to win the 60-meter race as part of the Athletics Week, ahead of Cuban Olympic high jump champion Javier Sotomayor.
The race took place on Monday, Karjakin competed with powerlifter Mikhail Koklyaev (second place), Olympic figure skating champion Alexei Yagudin and reigning high jump world record holder Sotomayor.
“I didn’t understand anything. The siren just sounded, I started. I tried to run as fast as possible. They told me that you can run at a maximum speed of 30 meters, so I saved up my strength. Star company. I said that I do not claim to medals, but it was a tactical move. I lulled my vigilance and everything worked out. Sotomayor? In his case, I would not have had a chance against him. And he had against me, «said Karyakin.
Sotomayor, in turn, said that he did not warm up enough.
«I'm very pleased with my performance here. But I should have warmed up more, it was painful. How does it feel to lose to a chess player? The most important thing is to perform, and the rest is unimportant,» he said.
Sport is the official media partner of the Athletics Week.