Saiak BARAKANOV: “The main thing in SAMBO is not to give up and fight to the end”

Kyrgyz sambist Saiak Barakanov won a gold medal in the up to 64 kg weight category in Combat SAMBO at the Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships in Macau. After the final match, he told the FIAS website about his impressions of the tournament.

Saiak, the final fight turned out to be very competitive, you managed to snatch victory in the last seconds...

– Yes it was like this. The main thing in SAMBO is not to give up and fight to the end. This is what makes this sport interesting.

In the last seconds of the fight, you made a throw and won back the advantage from the athlete from Turkmenistan, who had the lead almost throughout the entire fight. Was this something you prepared at home or did it happen by accident?

– Accidentally. But in fairness, I must say that at the World Championships I made the same throw, winning bronze.

It’s not often in Combat SAMBO matches that you can see athletes working so actively with their legs, and even on all floors...

– To be honest, I was preparing to fight, but my opponent preferred to work in a standing position, and I did not immediately manage to change the pattern of the fight. At first I competed with him in striking techniques, essentially playing by his rules. But then I managed to rebuild and win thanks to the fight.

How do you assess the role of coach Azamat Kazakbaev in your victory?

– Very high, during the fight Azamat helped me a lot, supported me morally and believed in me to the end.

What clue turned out to be decisive?

– The coach simply said, “Saiak, get yourself together and make one throw!” I don’t know how it works, but it was after these words that I was able to complete the throw and win.

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