Aleksandr DONTSOV: “After a serious injury, victory feels even sweeter”

Aleksandr Dontsov claimed gold in the under 64 kg Combat SAMBO category at the World Cup held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on September 20-21. In the final, he secured an early win over his Turkmen opponent with a submission hold. In an interview, Alexander shared his emotions after the triumph.

– It wasn’t an easy victory. I had a long break from competition – an entire year. A year ago at the World Cup in Kyrgyzstan, I broke my spine. After that came surgery and a lengthy recovery. Now I’m only just making my way back to the international level.

Did you have to change your training system because of the injury?

– I trained very carefully. But the hardest part was psychological – overcoming myself and getting back to this level again.

And during the matches themselves, are you more cautious?

– I don’t know how to be cautious – I always give everything I’ve got. If you start thinking about injuries on the mat, they’ll happen again. You have to think only about victory.

Yet in the final you were careful with your opponent?

– I tried, yes, but it doesn’t always work out that way. In this final, the Turkmen athlete held on for a long time and likely suffered an injury. Unfortunately, injuries are inevitable in our sport.

Still, after the match you lifted your opponent onto your shoulder and carried him off the mat – in the best traditions of fair play.

– Because in SAMBO the most important thing is respect and support for one another. On the mat we are rivals, but off the mat we are friends.

Which match at the tournament was the toughest for you?

– Probably the semifinal. I faced a very strong young athlete, also from Turkmenistan. He kept attacking non-stop, never slowing down. Beating him was possible largely thanks to my experience.

What are your plans after this victory?

– I also work as a coach, so soon I’ll be going to the World Youth and Junior Championships in Indonesia and the World Championships in Kyrgyzstan with my students. As for myself, I’ll be preparing for the national cup and national championship. My goal is to make the national team and reach the final of the national championships.

And what advice would you give your students, based on your own experience?

– I wish for them to never give up. There will always be difficulties along the way, but you have to overcome them and keep moving forward!