The national freestyle wrestling team, which won 1 set of medals at the U23 World Championship held in Novi Sad, Serbia, has returned to its homeland.

Offsideplus.az reports that the team members spoke to the press service of the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation about the competition.

Khetag Gazyumov, head coach:

“We are very happy that we have a champion in this competition. We have been waiting for this gold medal from Kenan Heybatov for a long time. It is also gratifying that our young wrestler Khetag Karsanov won a silver medal in the 125 kg weight category, which he has just moved up to. Ali Tsokayev also celebrated his transition to 86 kg with a medal. We were also expecting medals from Jeyhun Allahverdiyev and Farid Jabbarov. Apart from them, there were other national members who could win medals. Some made tactical mistakes. Some could not control their emotions. In 3 days, we will start preparations for the Islamic Solidarity Games. We will try to eliminate the mistakes and gaps we discovered in this competition before the next competition.”

Kenan Heybatov, world champion:

“We prepared very well for this competition. Thankfully, my suffering did not remain in vain. I finished the U23 age group with a gold medal. Hopefully, I will prepare even better and repeat this success among adults next year. I faced Iranian Sina Khalili, whom I wrestled in the final, in January. I won with complete superiority (12:1) in the final of the rating tournament held in Zagreb. I was behind with a score of 0:3 in this competition. In the second half, I came back and won with a score of 9:4”.

Khetag Karsanov, world runner-up:

“First of all, I would like to thank the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation for the comprehensive conditions created for us. We would like to achieve even better results. Personally, I expected a championship from myself. I was making my debut at 125 kg. I will work on my mistakes. I am grateful to the entire coaching staff who are always with us and helping us.”