Andrey DEMIDOV: "Victory is not the end point, but another stage"

Andrey Demidov went down in history as the first ever world champion in Blind SAMBO. He outstripped other winners of the debut tournament for this discipline in Kazakhstan thanks to his "light" weight category of up to 64 kg, the final of which was held earlier than the others.

Andrey first competed at the World SAMBO Championships five years earlier – it was he, together with Dmitry Samokhvalov, who first presented SAMBO for the Blind during a demonstration performance at the 2019 World Championships in the Republic of Korea. In an interview for the FIAS website Andrey spoke about historical achievements, responsibility for the development of Blind SAMBO and personal motivation to move forward.

Andrey, you became the first ever World Champion in Blind SAMBO. The final bout was broadcast by TV channels around the world. At first, you were behind in the score, but you still managed to win. How do you personally remember this match?

– Emotions were off the charts. Debuting in a new discipline is a huge responsibility. But my coach, Egor Panteleev, and I approached the preparation systematically – we thought through every detail, from the psychological attitude to tactics. The main decision was to rely on the ground: we decided that we would fight where I feel the strongest.

And then in the bout, my opponent threw me for two points. In such seconds, it is important not to panic, to keep a cool head. As soon as we found ourselves on the ground, everything changed. My signature painful holds, which Egor Panteleev and I had honed to automatism, became weapons. And when the referee recorded the victory, I experienced a whole cascade of emotions. I am happy that I managed to achieve such a result, and the emotions will stay with me for life!

Was this match the most difficult for you at the World Championships?

– Of course, the final bout was tough. My opponent is a silver medalist of the Paralympic Games in judo, a technical and tactically competent athlete. But the semi-final match with the representative of Kazakhstan was no less tense. I managed to win thanks to a painful hold on a leg. All my opponents were worthy, and each meeting required maximum dedication.

Your jump into the splits after the victory – is it improvisation or has it already become a tradition?

– It is improvisation that has become a tradition. I never planned to make the splits my "crown" on purpose. I just always went for victory, but tried not to cross the line between self-confidence and overconfidence. And the splits... it somehow became part of my emotional language. I remember that back in 2019, at the exhibition performances in Cheongju, I did it unconsciously – then it was an impulse, a surge of adrenaline. And since then, apparently, the body has remembered: be it excitement, joy or tension, the splits appear by themselves.

Now it’s like a business card that is born from sincerity. When emotions overwhelm me, I don’t even think about it – I just dissolve in the movement. At that moment in the final, I was really happy – and the splits became a natural ending to this joy, its physical embodiment.

Let’s remember 2019 and your demonstration performance in Blind SAMBO at the World Championships. What were your feelings then?

– An unforgettable experience! Back then, Blind SAMBO was just beginning to develop, and we demonstrated it to the world for the first time. Imagine: you’re not just showing off your technique, but carrying the weight of responsibility for an entire direction on your shoulders.

The pressure was colossal, as if you were standing on the mat in the final of the World Championships, and not at a demonstration performance. You can't make a mistake, because you are the future of this sport for the visually impaired.

But there was also strength in this fear. My performance partner Dmitry Samokhvalov and I felt that we were opening a door to the unknown. Today, looking back, I feel proud not only for myself, but for the entire SAMBO family – sighted and blind.

Do you remember preparing for that performance? Who inspired you on this path?

– I have long dreamed of getting into the world of big SAMBO. I admired Alexander Perepeluk and Ivan Morozov, their technique and work on the mat. I knew how they demonstrated SAMBO technique – they performed in London and many other places, showing the real art of SAMBO. I wanted to hear parting words from them, advice that would help us move forward.

When we gathered in the sports hall, they gave us several valuable tips – how to work with a partner without breaking contact, how to properly maintain the dynamics. After all, this was our first experience of such a demonstration. I had previously performed at various events, but the World Championship is a completely different level!

What key moments influenced your sports career?

– I come from a small village. The place is very small, but it was there that my desire to get into sports was born. When I seriously thought about trying myself in martial arts, I ended up in the SAMBO and Judo Federation of the Rostov Region. The people who supported me played a huge role in this. Apet Stepkoevich Vardanyan is a person to whom I owe a lot. His contribution, his help gave me the opportunity to achieve what I have achieved.

My coach, Egor Andreevich Panteleev, became my mentor all the way. We have been walking side by side since the moment I first entered the gym in January 2017. Since then, I have not left my coach and have moved forward, overcoming all difficulties.

Before that, I was not closely connected with martial arts, so the path was not easy. But I was lucky with my environment – ​​there were many athletes around who supported me, helped me, and gave me the opportunity to grow. Medals and victories did not come easy and immediately. The competition was high, all the guys were experienced, with an excellent level of training. I had to work hard, give it my all. But this is what made my path special.

What changed in your life after the historic victory at the World Sambo Championships?

– To be honest, I don’t want to get too carried away by the moment of victory. Of course, this is a huge joy, this is a dream come true, but it is important to understand: the work does not end, there are still many tasks ahead. We need to keep moving forward.

I am grateful to everyone who supported me. There were really many congratulations – from friends, colleagues, as well as subscribers on social networks who follow my path and write warm words. But the most important thing is my family. My wife, daughter, grandmother – they were waiting, praying for me, believing. Their support is priceless.

When I returned to my gym, the welcome was truly warm. The guys literally picked me up, and this feeling of home is worth a lot. After the victory, I was often invited to various events: master classes, motivational meetings with children. We have already held many meetings of such a kind, and I hope we will continue.

But with all this, the main thing is to maintain composure. Victory is not the end point, but another stage. New competitions, new challenges are ahead, and you need to keep working.

And what do you tell children at such meetings, what do they ask?

– I am often asked: how to find motivation? For me, the answer always remains the same. Regardless of age, gender or life situation, the most important thing is to have a goal. Without it, it is difficult to move forward.

Motivation is born from love for family, from faith in yourself and your abilities. It is important to be honest with yourself so that the truth is always behind you. If you follow these principles, then you will understand what you live for, what you are trying for.

And if suddenly motivation weakens, just look around. Look at your home, at your loved ones – that’s why it’s worth going forward, overcoming difficulties, achieving new heights. Believe in yourself, love your family and stay true to your values ​​– that’s probably the most important thing.

What are your plans in SAMBO?

– Firstly, I want to defend my world champion title. Secondly, I plan to try myself in a different weight category. If everything works out, I’ll be able to go down in history as the world champion in Blind SAMBO in two categories. But the main thing is to keep training and moving forward.