17 December 2016

"IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO COMPETE HERE"

European Club Championships GOLDEN LEAGUE Grozny 2016

"IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO COMPETE HERE"

Ezio Gamba (General Secretary of the European Judo Union)

“It is not my first time in Grozny. The first training camp after the Olympic Games was held in Chechenia. The Chechen people love combat sports and especially Judo so it is always a pleasure to train and compete here.

Aslanbek Khazuev (President of Judo Federation of the Chechen Republic)

“It was the wish of the Head of the Chechen Republic, Mr Kadyrow, to host the Golden League. Thanks to his efforts we managed to win the bid. We had no fear that the event could have been withdrown due to the sanctions  against Russia as we trusted Mr Sergey Soloveychik and the EJU Team.”

Sergey Soloveychik (President of the European Judo Union)

”Last week in Athens we held the EJU Congress and a new team of EJU Executive was elected. One of the changes was a new Refereeing Director, Mr Alexander Jatskevich (LAT), an Olympic Bronze medallist who is also well-known as a coach. Even though the decision is not standard and Alexander never was a referee but we think  he will help to build a stronger link between the team of coaches and referees. Both groups have to work together to develop Judo in the right direction. It is important that the referees can feel the trust of coaches.

We decided to accept the bid of Grozny due to a complex of reasons. Firstly, martial arts and judo especially are very much loved here in Chechenia. Secondly, Mr Edelgeriev and Mr Khasuev have a strong and efficient team of ogranisers who are able to stage such big and important event. Thirdly, they have the Edelweis club who had qualified for the Golden League. This club is special as they have only local athletes and want to bring up a strong generation of judo fighters and champions. And lastly, we wanted our athletes and judo fans to see and feel the hospitality and beauty of the Republic.”

Khasan Khalmurzaev (Olympic Champion 2016)

“I managed to have a good rest and I had quite a long break after Rio. Now the new Olympic Cycle has started and I have to forget my success in Rio and focus on my new achievements. It is a special honour to compete at my motherland and to feel the support.”

Aslanbek Khazuev (President of Judo Federation of the Chechen Republic)

“It was the wish of the Head of the Chechen Republic, Mr Kadyrow, to host the Golden League. Thanks to his efforts we managed to win the bid. We had no fear that the event could have been withdrown due to the sanctions  against Russia as we trusted Mr Sergey Soloveychik and the EJU Team.”

Odette Guiffrieda (Olympic Silver Medalist 2016)

„My success at the Olympics is history now I have to focus on new competitions. I trained hard with my club team and here in Grozny I will fight for gold.”

Sergey Soloveychik (President of the European Judo Union)

”Last week in Athens we held the EJU Congress and a new team of EJU Executive was elected. One of the changes was a new Refereeing Director, Mr Alexander Jatskevich (LAT), an Olympic Bronze medallist who is also well-known as a coach. Even though the decision is not standard and Alexander never was a referee but we think  he will help to build a stronger link between the team of coaches and referees. Both groups have to work together to develop Judo in the right direction. It is important that the referees can feel the trust of coaches.

We decided to accept the bid of Grozny due to a complex of reasons. Firstly, martial arts and judo especially are very much loved here in Chechenia. Secondly, Mr Edelgeriev and Mr Khasuev have a strong and efficient team of ogranisers who are able to stage such big and important event. Thirdly, they have the Edelweis club who had qualified for the Golden League. This club is special as they have only local athletes and want to bring up a strong generation of judo fighters and champions. And lastly, we wanted our athletes and judo fans to see and feel the hospitality and beauty of the Republic.”

Khasan Khalmurzaev (Olympic Champion 2016)

“I managed to have a good rest and I had quite a long break after Rio. Now the new Olympic Cycle has started and I have to forget my success in Rio and focus on my new achievements. It is a special honour to compete at my motherland and to feel the support.”

Aslanbek Khazuev (President of Judo Federation of the Chechen Republic)

“It was the wish of the Head of the Chechen Republic, Mr Kadyrow, to host the Golden League. Thanks to his efforts we managed to win the bid. We had no fear that the event could have been withdrown due to the sanctions  against Russia as we trusted Mr Sergey Soloveychik and the EJU Team.”