“In every weight we can win the gold of the Games.” Interview with Russia’s first Olympic judo champion

Arsen Galstyan is the first Olympic judo champion in Russia and now the head coach of the national team. In 2012 in London, he sensationally beat the Japanese Hiroaki Hiraoka in the final. Since then, Russian judokas have won 5 gold medals in two Olympics, while there was no champion among Russians in Tokyo.

In an interview with , Galstyan spoke about the national team plans, the line-up at the Games, the peak age of judokas and the level of judo coverage in Russia.

“World and European championship gold without an Olympic medal is unfinished business”

— One year before the Olympic Games. What can you say about the work of the technical staff?

– Another whole year! For an athlete, that means a lot of work. There are those weight classes where there is no clear leader, where you have to compete with each other. We will have many training camps and competitions even before the Olympics. Our guys are leaders in the last Grand Slam tournaments in Mongolia, Kazakhstan.

– Assess Russia’s performance at the World Cup?

– Excellent result. We have two world champions. The last time was in 2001, when Russian judokas managed to win two gold medals at the World Championships (but there were three). After so many years, they have come to the same result.

Of course, I wanted more, because there are guys in other weight classes who could have won medals, but due to some technical errors, they missed the chance to win gold. But that’s the way to OI.

– Can a judoka career be called successful and ideal if there is gold at the World Championships and European Championships, but there is no gold at the Games Olympics?

I think this is unfinished business. Games are the pinnacle, every athlete dreams of becoming an Olympic champion.

– How did you react to the situation with Inal Tasoev and Teddy Riner?

– It was not very pleasant, but it is a mistake of the judges. The main thing is that this error was recognized, Inal is a champion. Everyone makes mistakes, especially in a fight where the legend of world judo is fighting. The pressure on the judges was great. But we are grateful to the International Judo Federation for the decision that returned gold to Inal.

You will not see such situations that after the World Cup they changed their minds. Judo is different in that honesty and justice are preserved in our sport.

– The composition of the Russian team at the World Cup – an estimate for the Olympic Games?

– Roster at the World Cup doesn’t mean the same guys will be at the Olympics. But it is natural that the strongest athletes went to the World Championships. Someone got injured, someone got injured on the way to the tournament, there are those for whom this is the first serious world tournament. But it’s not the final composition, we still have a whole year left. The best will go to the Olympics.

– Why were there no representatives of Russia in the weight category up to 60 kg and Matvey Kanikovsky (weight category up to 100 kg)?

— The decision of the technical staff. There were reasons for that, so to speak.

“The Japanese have one approach to composition, we have another”

– What is the maximum age of a judoka?

“It’s an individual moment. For example: I won the Olympics at 23 and Beslan Mudranov at 30. Sport is such a thing that someone reveals himself earlier, someone reveals himself later.

– Don’t you think that the situation with Mudranov is an exception to the rule, because most Russian judokas passed the Olympics at a younger age?

— Yes, most athletes are at their peak under the age of 30. I think 20-28 is the most brilliant age in professional judo.

– Should we put younger athletes, who are now in better shape, or those who deserve it during their career?

“It’s not such an easy question. Each athlete is selected, regardless of age, and displays the result. Who shows the best result, it goes.

We have 2-3 participants in almost all weight classes that deserve a ticket. We will choose the best of the best. For example, in the pluses (100+ category), in 100 kg – usually 2-3 people who show a high result.

– The Japanese national team announced in mid-July four athletes who are already definitely going to the Olympic Games. Are there any in the Russian team today who will certainly go to Paris?

– No. The official composition will be announced when it is precisely determined. The Japanese have one approach, we have another.

Question about the world cup. In the weight category up to 73 kilograms, Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov showed perfect form at almost all starts, won gold everywhere, won Grand Slam tournaments, but failed at the World Championships. What is the reason?

“He was in good spirits. A mistake was made, it led to defeat. It’s not his place, he should have been on a pedestal. Now this guy is working 200% to be even better.

“Three gold medals for the Olympics, it’s a serious result, it’s difficult to achieve it”

– In London, there were three gold, silver and bronze medals. In Rio – two gold medals, in Tokyo there was no champion in the Russian team. What can you relate to the declining gold medal trend from tournament to tournament?

– There may be several factors. I was not in the team at that time, I did not see the situation. I understand that there is always a rise, there is a fall, and to maintain the level – three gold medals at the Olympic Games in judo – is a very serious result, difficult to achieve.

Now I’m on the team and can say with confidence that the coaches and athletes are ready to tear and throw everyone in order to show a high result because everyone wants gold.

– What is the task facing the Russian team at the Olympics? Are there a certain number of medals to win?

“You can get gold everywhere. Tell me, please, in 2011, did anyone expect gold medals from Russian judokas in the London Olympics? At least one, not three. No one expected that, did they?

– You became a bronze medalist at the World Championships two years before the Olympics.

– Not listening. Until 2012, we had world champions, world medalists, but there was no Olympic champion. Has anyone bet that there will be at least one gold medal? I mean at any weight, any of our athletes can become an Olympic champion. We believe in it.

“Many started to see changes after Tokyo. We started to give more chances to young athletes. Is it a consequence of the failure in Tokyo, when Robert Mshvidobadze at 31, Yakub Shamilov at 30, Musa Mogushkov , who was already 33, left?

“I understand what you are talking about. No, it’s just time. Right now these young guys can compete, switch generations in certain weight classes. It’s good. They must be controlled, transported, so that they gain experience and continue to participate. It’s a common thing: some leave, others come.

– Another trend. Leaders of the Russian national team began to participate in Russian national competitions. Did it help identify the strongest athletes?

– We began to participate in Russian tournaments due to the circumstances that developed. And so for almost a year we went to training camp without competition.

For an athlete to maintain a good level, he needs starts, adrenaline, preparation, tension, etc. You have to feel all of that to be ready for any tournament. The Federation has come up with many new features so that our athletes can participate. Thanks to such tournaments, our guys train until they are released for international tournaments.

“I would like judo to be at the level of football”

– There are two types of performances at the Olympic Games: individual and team. Is there a difference in terms of morale for a judoka who will fight individually, and for a team player?

– I participated in this and that. You know you fight as a team and you are preparing for this tournament. When you have a plan in the individual competition – to compete, you give everything, and then the team lacks strength, emotions. Some, on the contrary, are ready to fight there and there with pleasure. It is also completely individual. The main thing is that the athlete wants it and does not let the team down.

What are your plans after the Paris Olympics?

– I can not tell. While in the Olympics plans.

– Now judo in Russia is covered at the right level?

– Of course, I would like judo to be at the level of football. But I’m already happy that more and more attention is being paid to judo. The same which permanently broadcasts our tournaments is great!