“Ukrainian Zantaraya was friends with the Russian team, he couldn’t sincerely criticize us” – Mudranov

ukrainian judoka George Zantaraya made friends with colleagues Russian team he couldn’t sincerely say that he would give up his titles because of the Russians’ participation in international competitions, the Russian Olympic champion told Beslan Mudranov .

Russian judokas will perform in June at the Grand Slam tournament, which will be held in Mongolian Ulaanbaatar, as neutral athletes. European and world champion Zantaraya said on social media that if Russian athletes are allowed to participate in this tournament, he will officially give up all his titles and the title of world champion.

– The whole Russian team has always had a good relationship with Georgy until the current situation. In general, there were no problems with Ukrainian judokas. They encouraged us during competitions, we encouraged them. I think Georgy doesn’t speak for himself, it’s not his personal position. Surely he was told that he had to make such a statement.

Who could dictate these words?

– Probably, someone from above tells him, the leadership, that this policy should be supported. I don’t think Zantaraya sincerely wants Russian athletes not to participate in international competitions and the tournament in Mongolia, in particular. Zantaraya himself is a former athlete, he was friends with our team.

– Zantaraya can really give up his titles because of Russian judokas, what do you think?

– I do not know. Perhaps he made such a statement to attract attention. Well, now I will say that I give up the title of Olympic champion, what will change compared to that? I won’t stop being Olympic champion, it’s history, a fait accompli. Same for George. Zantaraya is a great, productive athlete. All the same, his victories will remain a fact, his medals will remain. He will remain the world champion for everyone,” Mudranov told .

Earlier, the International Judo Federation canceled all tournaments in Russia due to the worsening situation in Ukraine. At the same time, the organization allowed Russian athletes to participate in international tournaments in a neutral status.

Source : MatchTV

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