The first ASA champion, Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov: sport is not only a victory, it is a unifying force

February 18, 2019 | 12:56 |14155

On the night of February 18, ORIENT published a report that Dovletjan Yagshimuradov, the first DIA champion from Turkmenistan, officially became the first champion of the united ASA light heavyweight tournament, telling readers about the decisive fight in Warsaw. Waiting for the first free pause in the schedule of the Turkmen fighter, we phoned him to congratulate him on behalf of our readers and talk about what is important for sporting success: - As soon as you triumphantly completed your second champion match, just like in May 2018, before you get away from a tough fight, you did not fail to say a word of gratitude to the president of Turkmenistan and the people closest to you. And you were the only competitor who picked up the flag of his country. This, by the way, was noted by sports commentators, calling you a patriot of your homeland. - It seems to me that when a person trains for long months, depriving himself of the small joys of life, in order to prove to himself what he is capable of, then naturally, in moments of achieving the goal, he remembers the people most dear to his heart. For me, these are parents, my friends, and all the good people. Turkmenistan is my homeland - raising the flag for me was a high honor. And the president of my country did so much for the development of sport. I won my first victory - the championship of Turkmenistan in karate - won in the year when our leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was first elected president of the country in 2007. - In recent years, things are different, but it used to be considered that sport is out of politics... - Sport should be outside of big politics, but its development depends largely on state policy. In Turkmenistan, in recent years, sport has received a big increase precisely because of the country's president. And the point is not only that many sports facilities have been built, but also that our leader himself sets an example of how to treat your health. The fact that sport is the path of strength, wisdom and health is demonstrated by the president of Turkmenistan himself. We know that he regularly trains, rides a bicycle, skillfully drives a sports car and rides a racehorse. He is a role model both as an athlete and as a popularizer of sports. - I agree that when Turkmen teenagers see the head of state, as he swiftly jumps on a horse or rides a sports car, they too are eager to play sports. - A good example is contagious! In Turkmenistan, boys and girls immediately after the Asian Games literally pushed into the sports section. They ride bicycles, swim in the pools, play football - the benefit of all new buildings are equipped with sports grounds near the houses, there many people, even the older generation, do jogging in the morning. This is great! And the conditions for this are created thanks to the policy pursued by the head of state. President Berdymukhamedov very far-sightedly developed a strategy and tactics in the development of sports and physical culture movement. With an eye on the mass, the formation of a very good and necessary habits of people to active leisure. And the greater the mass of sports fans, the higher the probability of finding talents in it. - Yes, it is, but sometimes you hear the opinion, when they wonder, why the Turkmen sport with such close attention from the government does not bring many high awards? - The development of high performance sport is a long process. And our national leader understands this very well. He is looking far ahead: step by step he built the first stage - the material and technical base of the sport, and behind it the second stage already - the accumulation of human potential, and attract good coaches from abroad. And later, I am sure, there will be the following steps - everything is planned with the expectation not of a momentary effect, but of a sustainable long-term result. Everyone I know admires our president’s foresight and thoughtful actions. And he, like no one else, knows that the path to a high peak is never quick and easy. - In order to attract teenagers to the sports sections it is important to more often show how champions are honored, how they are awarded, in a word to create idols out of athletes ... - For the promotion of sports is, of course, important. But sport is not just records and medals, it is a powerful social, unifying force. This is present in Turkmenistan. It is associated with culture, with the economy, and with diplomacy. A sample of how this can be combined is our Ashgabat 2017 games: everyone who visited Turkmenistan in those days not only saw a great sports festival, but also learned more about the history of our people, culture, our traditions and values. Ahal-Teke horses, alabai, gorech, bakhshi, dutar - all this accompanied the Games and helped to create a picture of the modern life of the Turkmen. - Dovletjan, as a professional athlete you are a very busy man, nevertheless, you are well aware of Turkmen sports. When you have time to follow all this, especially since you are often far from the motherland? - Yes, I manage to keep track of everything as regards Turkmen sports, simply because it is very interesting for me. And important, too. I am very inspired by the achievements of Turkmen athletes, I always enjoy when I hear or read about their successes in international competitions, including the victories of my countrywoman Gulbadam Babamuratova. And although the results of Turkmen athletes at the world weightlifting championship, which was held in Ashgabat, were not very high, but what excellent conditions were created for all participants of the competition. Not even all the Olympic Games could demonstrate this. Everyone was talking about this, even those who wanted to have a different opinion. And if our teenagers in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk played poorly at winter children's games, before that in Sapporo our adult hockey players showed that Turkmen hockey has prospects. - Yes, Turkmen are new to hockey, but we have sports that we have been cultivating for a long time. For example, the history of the development of equestrian sport has been calculated for many centuries ... - I will correct you - not for centuries, but for thousands of years! And President Berdimuhamedov has done a lot for our riders to reach the world level, take part in prestigious race tournaments of the planet, etc. An Olympic appearance began to develop in the country - jumping, which was not previously in Turkmenistan. And equestrian group "Galkynysh". Its triumphs at international festivals and competitions have ceased to amaze, it is natural. I'm just proud of these guys! This is an important part of our president’s sports diplomacy. As head of an independent neutral state, he gives sport a peacekeeping mission, turning Turkmenistan into a center for international sports cooperation. - Major sports events have always been great holidays of friendship and a healthy lifestyle... - Not only - I watched the rally "Amul-Khazar 2018" with excitement. History, sport, nature, culture, technology are combined there ... The car racing itself is very spectacular, and if they are also surrounded by such a national color as we can create, then this is just a rally folk show! - Last year, on June 3, World Bicycle Day was first celebrated ... - That's great! Super, that it was Turkmenistan that became the impulse, the “cause” of the appearance of such a day. Bikes are loved everywhere, by children, and adults. Therefore, a new sports festival is an excellent excuse once again to collectively pay tribute to this two-wheeled vehicle. I think that here, the main thought laid down by the author of this idea, President Berdimuhamedov, is of mass character, a collective spirit, a feeling of unity. And all this - on the positive wave of health, spirit and will.

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