Sokhibjon KHASANBOEV: “At my home championship, I couldn’t afford to lose”

Uzbek athlete Sokhibjon Khasanboev claimed the gold medal at the Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships held in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) on April 14–15, winning in the Combat SAMBO 88 kg weight category. After the final whistle, he spoke to the FIAS website about his tactics for the decisive bout, the emotions of victory, and his future sports plans.

Sokhibjon, your final victory looked absolutely dominant: you managed to execute three powerful throws. Was that the plan, or did it happen spontaneously?

– I knew my opponent from Tajikistan well and was prepared for the match. Khalid had demonstrated strong leg technique and striking skills in previous bouts, so my task was to find the right moment to close the distance and execute a technical move. Fortunately, I succeeded. The leg attack is my signature move, and the rest is just technique.

As you mentioned, your Tajik opponent had shown strong performances in the earlier rounds. Did that make you nervous before stepping onto the mat?

– I had watched his matches and knew what to expect. My goal was to keep the distance close and not let him land his strikes. I focused on counterattacks and waited for the right moment.

What does this victory mean to you?

– A great deal. First and foremost, it is an honor for my country – Uzbekistan. This was a home championship, so I simply couldn’t afford to lose. And of course, it’s an honor for my coach, my parents, and my relatives. I dedicate this victory to them.

Thanks to your performance, the Uzbek national anthem rang out once again in the Tashkent arena…

– That means a lot to me – no less than the gold medal itself.

What’s next?

– I’ve already been a two-time World Championship silver medalist. This year, I want to reach the top – win gold at the World Championships in Combat SAMBO.

What lessons did you take from your previous final defeats?

– My coach and I thoroughly analyzed all my past matches, identified the mistakes, and are now working on eliminating weaknesses.

Still, what was missing back then – technical skills, experience, mindset, or maybe emotions got in the way?

– I made some tactical errors, and I guess I lacked experience. But today, I made a serious step forward, and I believe in my success this November!