Interview with Shahida Ahmedova, a student of the Faculty of sports and arts of Samarkand State University, a silver medalist of the Youth Olympiad in free struggle and the Asian Games, a seven-time champion of Uzbekistan, a silver medalist at the Islamic Solidarity Games(2022

    - Why did you choose exactly free struggle?

    – The main reason why I choose this sport is my dad. Dad, wanting me to be an athlete, took me to a sports club. At first I attended the greco-roman type of struggle. But since there was no girl on this tour, I switched to a free fight. And when I became interested in this sport, my current trainer Salomat Kochimova took an important place.

    - What is your most memorable victory?

    -The most memorable for me is the success I have achieved in the Asian Championship, which gives a ticket to the Junior Olympics in Argentina. As a rule, a ticket to the Junior Olympics was given to two participants who reached the final. Trying hard, I was lucky enough to overcome my powerful Mongolian opponent and get a pass. Then I took part in the Olympics in Argentina, where I also won second place.

    -How do you accept defeat?

    - Sometimes good, sometimes bad... Defeat is a factor that drives me to act more strongly. It is natural that there is depression in the first moments of defeat. But, I try to take it right. Of course, in the first place in this case I find myself guilty. I lost the victory in the final fight with Turkish athlete Zeynep Yetgil in the Islamic Solidarity Games. In preparation for the competition, my coaches strongly appointed that I could not make a mistake because my opponent was a representative of the host team, that I should not allow the referees to make an incorrect assessment. But still the advantage went on the opponent's side. The silver medal was awarded. In total, we won 3 silver medals, one bronze medal. Of course, there was hope for a gold medal. I came to the competition with the intention of becoming a champion. I quickly caught myself even though I initially accepted the defeat with tears. My coaches said that your medal is equal to the gold medal for us.

    - What about your parents? How did they accept?

    -For my parents, losing is a gold medal for each of my competitions, regardless of whether I am a loser. They have never been offended by my defeat. They always support me and bless me.

    - Sport for you...?

    - Spore capacity space for me. A bridge that gives you the opportunity to find a place in life, to go out into the world. Here we see the world behind sports, we are traveling the world, we are making new friends. Nothing is easy, of course. It is difficult to get injured in training, kayaking of teachers, walking away from family and parents. But we forget it all because of one victory in the competition.

    - Did you have time to think about leaving the sport?

    -I haven't thought about it yet.

    - What can a sports woman give a man? Does she herself need sports for a girl?

    - Of course, it is necessary! Sport gives a person, first of all, confidence in himself and in life, the strength to move towards the goal.

    -To what extent is the free struggle developing in today's Uzbekistan?

    - First of all, our esteemed President pays great attention to this sport. Accordingly, the results achieved by athletes are also changing for the better day after day. Therefore, the struggle is developing well in Uzbekistan.

    -How do you assess the position of Samarkand State University in your achievements?

    -The role of our university in the results I achieved is very great. Samarkand State University always supports student athletes and provides enough opportunities to prepare for competitions and play sports. I will take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to our university, to the team of my dear teachers.

    - Your plans for the future?

    - I will participate in the championship in Serbia in September. Ahead is also the world championship for girls under 23 in October. After him, participating in the Championship, which gives a ticket to the Paris Olympics, getting an Olympic pass and winning the Olympic championship – my highest goal.

Samarkand State University

Information Service officer

Iroda Bekmurodova talked.