Shakhzoda AZATOVA: "The main thing is to perform well at the World SAMBO Championships in Astana"

Uzbek athlete Shakhzoda Azatova won a gold medal in Combat SAMBO in the 59 kg weight category among women at the World Cup in Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyzstan). Immediately after her victory in the final over Kazakhstan's representative Marzhan Bizak, she shared her emotions with the FIAS website.

Congratulations on your confident victory. How did you manage to win?

– Thank you. I would like to thank my personal trainer Rasul Baltabaev, senior coach of the Uzbekistan national Combat SAMBO team Roman Shakirov, coach of the women’s team Ekaterina Bliznetsova and, of course, the president of the Uzbekistan Sambo Association Alisher Alimov for their help, support and strong motivation.

They gave you moral support and help in preparing for the tournament, but how did you manage to win the final fight?

– My coach and I knew that my opponent had good wrestling technique, so we decided to start the fight with standing work, throw a lot of punches, and only then, if necessary, move on to wrestling.

What does winning this tournament mean to you, and why was it important to take part in it?

– The World Cup allows you to check your form before the World Championships, it is a kind of marker. It is also an opportunity to gain rating points for selection for the World Games in China in 2025. Now, after winning the World Cup, my chances have increased. Now the main thing is to perform well at the World SAMBO Championships in Astana.

Are you satisfied with your performance? Did everything work out for you?

– In general, yes, but there is still work to do.