Wrestlers and boxers often train for training sessions or top events with a special team member. He is called a sparring partner.
Photo: SITA/AP, Andreea Alexandru
Soner Demitas (left) and Tajmuraz Salkazanov during the European Championship in Romania in February.
At first glance, it may seem that this is a guy who has to do his best so that his opponent does not drag him around the ring or the mat.
Tajmuraz Salkazanov also has his own sparring partner. Today, the Slovak wrestler begins his journey to the 2024 Olympics in Paris in the category up to 74 kilograms.
He will compete against the winner of the qualifying match between Uzbekistan’s Razambek Jamalov and Belarus’ Mahamedkhabib Kadzimahamedao, who represents him as a neutral athlete.
Salkazanov himself admits that he would not have been able to do it without Aksharbek Gulayev. Despite many hard training hours on and off the mat, their relationship is unique.
“I came to help him. I try to provide him with everything he needs. From training together as a sparring partner to relieving pressure.
They say he’s big in the Olympics. I’m also here for him to come up with other ideas and forget about it,” says Gulajev.
Second and third place? A loss
Hockey has Canada, football Brazil, endurance running Kenya and wrestling Upper Ossetia. A piece of land on the Russian-Georgian border is a famous breeding ground for the world’s best wrestlers.
However, if you think that it is due, for example, to the elaborate infrastructure, you are mistaken. Salkazanov and his friend Gulajev, one and a half years younger, started wrestling as boys on grass and outdoors.
“We’ve known each other since kindergarten, that is, our whole life. Our parents were also friends. It’s more than just friendship. I take him as a brother,” admits Gulajev.
Wrestlers are often unable to make a name for themselves in the intense Russian competition, so they look to neighboring countries.
Gulajev became a Slovak representative in 2017, Salkazanov a year later. Preparation in eastern Slovakia in Snin or Košice helped them improve their local language.
Boris Makojev also knows Slovak well and sometimes we talk to each other in Slovak so that we don’t forget it and improve,” smiles Gulajev.
When they both said goodbye to their personal trainer before leaving for a three-month training camp in Georgia and then the Olympic Games, they received a clear request.
“Second or third place will be a loss. Remember, you’re going for the gold. I think it will be successful,” Gulajev does not hide his optimism.
Strong head, good condition
Gulajev also had a chance at the Olympics. He will compete in the category up to 79 kilograms, but the Olympic weight is 86 kg.
Photo: TASR, Daniel Kasap
Tajmuraz Salkazanov Tajmuraz Salkazanov won four titles of European champion for Slovakia, twice he was vice-champion of the world.
“I wanted to get to Tokyo already, but that year I won the European Championships in my category. I stay at 79, I have time until the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Until then, I still want to win the world title in my weight category. Only then will I move up,” Gulajev explained.
The word gold has been heard several times from Salkazan’s team. The naturalized Slovak representative does not lack self-confidence. Gulayev suspects why…
“In the last five years, I don’t remember Tajmuraz not having an injury or being sick before a competition. Now I have to knock myself, everything went smoothly. He can win,” Gulayev repeats.
National team coach Erik Cap compared the style of some of Salkazan’s victories to football England at this year’s European Championship 2024. The Slovak wrestler has already turned the game around many times in the absolute end.
“There is a lot of pressure in the last seconds and Tajmuraz not only has a strong head, but also a good condition. That is the key to success,” Gulajev adds.
They don’t want to ruin their relationships
For his friend and sparring partner, he takes care not only of high-quality training on the mat, but also of inner well-being. Gulajev does not have a special recipe.
“Tajmuraz is mentally strong, even his opponents know it. That is the most important thing in the Olympics. I’m still in a good mood and I’m trying to get it from me. But if he wants to be quiet, I’ll let him be.”
Salkazanov, as one of the best eight competitors according to the world ranking, is seeded directly into the round of 16. Today, he will face the winner of the preliminary round duel between Uzbek Razambek Zhamalov and Belarusian Magomedchabib Kadimagomedov.
If he advances, he will also take part in the quarterfinals on Friday. Rematches, the semi-final program and also the battles for precious metals are on the program tomorrow.
I am also preparing for the World Championships at the end of the year, but training with Tajmuraz and seeing him at the Olympics is a huge motivation for me. We are also at training together.
However, we don’t fight together much. The coach won’t allow us to, because you have to be a little angry with the opponent and we don’t want to spoil our relationship with Tajmuraz,” Gulajev laughs at the end.
Where will they make it together in Paris?
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
