“We want to prove that Russia is the strongest power”: the composition of the boxing team at the World Cup in Yekaterinburg

Last weekend, the training camp of the Russian national boxing team ended in Kislovodsk. Fans of this sport were looking forward to the moment when head coach Viktor Fakhrutdinov, who replaced Edkard Kravtsov at his post, will present the names of the boxers who will represent the country at the first in the recent history of the home world championship. There were some surprises - the coaching staff immediately announced two teams - the main and the reserve. At the same time, the mentors emphasized that the final decision will be made on the eve of the championship of the planet. This is done so that none of the athletes reduces their demands on themselves and does not relax psychologically before the main start of the year.

Without exception, all the experts and athletes agreed on one thing: the gathering in the middle mountains (the Olympic complex “Yug-Sport” is located at an altitude of 1200 m above sea level) was difficult, but very productive. Warm weather in the Stavropol region contributed to active outdoor activities, and comfortable conditions at the base itself allowed boxers to fully recover after exhausting workouts.

Despite the fact that Fakhrutdinov headed the national team only a month ago, many boxers have already noted changes in the training process. So, the winner of the 2018 World Youth Championship in weight up to 81 kg Ruslan Kolesnikov emphasized that the main feature of the new mentor is an individual approach to working with each of the wards.

“I’ve known Viktor Borisovich for several years now, since I studied under his leadership in the junior team. His activity is structured in such a way that everyone is included in the process, responsibilities are distributed evenly across the team. Personal trainers should work with their athletes, ride with them, help and support. I think this is the right tactic, and it will help us succeed in the home championship. In addition, the training has become more specialized, there is no static work on clogging muscles. The mentor takes into account all our individual characteristics and tries to develop them in each boxer, ”said Kolesnikov in an interview with RT.

Nevertheless, tension was in the air until August 18, when after a series of sparring teams were finally announced. In total, more than 20 athletes will go to the final gathering - and although there are obvious favorites among them, according to the head of the Boxing Federation of Russia Umar Kremlyov, everyone still has a chance to get a place.

In accordance with the decision of the coaching staff, the first national team included: Vasily Egorov (up to 52 kg), Albert Batyrgaziev (up to 57 kg), Ilya Popov (up to 63 kg), Andrei Zamkova (up to 69 kg), Gleb Bakshi (up to 75 kg), Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (up to 91 kg), Maxim Babanin (above 91 kg).

Among all the participants in the training camp, only the champion of the European Games in Minsk Gadzhimagomedov could not worry about participating in the world championship. In some categories, everything was less transparent: up to six fighters sometimes claimed one place. All decided two-day sparring, held in the format of "three rounds of three minutes."

Unlike official competitions, judges did not announce winners. Few viewers had to rely on their intuition in the question of who looked preferable to specialists. And their choice was not easy: in almost every battle, the rivals fought on equal terms, and sometimes it was almost impossible to determine the best. It was hard for the boxers, as they held fights against the backdrop of fatigue. However, this was the calculation of the coaching staff - this should have shown the strengths and weaknesses of the athletes more objectively.

“Everything is in our favor”

After the training camp, Russian champion in the weight category up to 75 kg Gleb Bakshi shared his impressions with RT.

- How do you evaluate the results of fees in Kislovodsk?

- In general, everything is fine, slowly gaining momentum, we are entering the stream. I am pleased with myself, although it was not without errors. But we have a plan, and we follow it.

- Before the championship of the planet less than a month remains. In your opinion, are Russians able to surpass the result of two years ago?

“I'm absolutely sure of that.” We have a young team that has everything ahead and wants to prove to everyone that Russia is currently the strongest boxing power. Everything is in our favor, it remains only to speak with dignity.

- Do you follow other martial arts?

- As a spectator, I can watch football, basketball, hockey. UFC, MMA are not so attracted, since childhood they like boxing, nothing is better for me.

- And who are you following professionally?

- Speaking of MMA, this is, of course, Khabib Nurmagomedov. In boxing - Alexander Usik, the man who first won everything in the amateur, and then in the professionals. I also like his views on life, his attitude to religion, he went through a lot. In addition, he and I come from the same city.

- The official position of the Boxing Federation of Ukraine is not to send a delegation to the World Cup in Russia. Do you communicate with Ukrainian athletes? What do they think about this?

- Yes, I still maintain relations with the guys, but we did not talk about this. What is happening now is very sad. I don’t even want to think about politics, it’s not for me. Many partners support me. I don’t feel like messing, pouring mud at each other. We are athletes, and sport should unite.

- It's a shame that strong fighters will not come?

- Of course, in my weight Alexander Khizhnyak is the reigning champion of the world, Europe, and the European Games. In Minsk, I boxed with him in the third fight, lost by a separate decision of the judges, and, of course, dreamed of a rematch in Yekaterinburg. I consider him the most dangerous opponent at the moment, the best, regardless of weight category. But we can fight on equal terms with him.