“The lack of international competitions took its toll; after the break it was uncomfortable to fight” – wrestler Usmanov

European freestyle wrestling champion Akhmed Usmanov told that he was uncomfortable participating in the World Championships in Serbia due to the prolonged absence of international competitions, from which Russians were excluded.

On Sunday, Usmanov reached the final of the World Wrestling Championship in Belgrade in the weight category up to 79 kg. In the semifinals, the Russian defeated Azerbaijan’s Orkhan Abasov – 3:0. The Russian’s opponent in the final will be Georgian Vladimir Gamkrelidze. The decisive battle will take place on September 18. The Russians participate in the World Championships in neutral status.

— We were seriously preparing for the World Cup. For a year and a half, we didn’t fight on the international scene, we weren’t allowed to, so our morale was at its peak. At the same time, I haven’t been able to give my best yet. I was cautious, but overall I’m happy with how I fought. I accomplished my main task for today: I reached the final. And tomorrow there will be six minutes left to fight, give everything and punish the opponent.

— Were you surprised that in the semi-final your opponent was so passive that you scored points on this point?

— I was listening to the American, I thought he would reach the semi-finals. But Orkhan surprised something, defeated the American and confidently won. Seven years ago I met Orkhan at the youth championship, then I won more convincingly, but today the fight was intense.

— Has the long break without international competitions affected your level and that of Russian wrestlers in general?

– Certainly. At international competitions we gain experience, we grow as athletes. After the forced break, it was uncomfortable to fight,” Usmanov told .

Watch live broadcasts of the World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade on the Match channel! TV. Fighter”, as well as on the sites sportbox.ru and matchtv.ru.