It’s a new yr, and the sensation is obvious for all of the athletes on the Mittersill OTC, a brand new cycle and problem lies forward. For Ilia SULAMANIDZE of Georgia, just one, the Olympic gold in 2028. Sulamanidze’s efficiency was beautiful as typical, nevertheless he fell on the remaining hurdle and was pressured to accept the Olympic silver. Although he’s at peace with the end result, the fireplace continues to burn to have the Olympic gold round his neck.
Previous to the Olympic Video games in Paris, we have been seeing the younger Georgian judoka commonly on the rostrum, and within the run up, there was nothing however positivity.
I used to be feeling actually nice earlier than the Olympic Video games, we’d spent loads of time working onerous and getting ready, each mentally and bodily. It was each second, each minute, each hour, this was all I used to be concentrating on, preparation. I wasn’t focussing on medals or on successful, solely how I used to be getting ready.
For the followers of Sulamanidze, his type is calm and relaxed and fully mirrors his angle earlier than stepping on the tatami, stating he by no means feels nervous in competitors, however did he really feel them in Paris?
By no means. For me, being nervous is unhealthy for my thoughts, my mentality. If you’re nervous, you can’t give 100%, you can’t be your finest, generally you have to have a bit of bit, however that is that will help you focus, to have velocity, however no more than I want.
The day earlier than he competed in Paris, workforce mate, Lasha BEKAURI went on to win his second consecutive Olympic title, did this encourage him?
We have been in the identical room, Lasha and myself, and we have been each getting ready for Olympic golds, so he gained after all, and this win was such a motivation. Once I wakened on my day, I checked out Lasha and I simply felt nice, I don’t know why, I simply felt actually glad. I warmed up solely with my coach, I don’t want a lot, just a few mild uchi komi and within the Olympic Video games, it’s extra essential to be prepared in your thoughts. I didn’t have any contact or something with my household beforehand, all of my focus was on the competitors and I wanted to focus there.
There have been some massive wins that lead Sulamanidze to the -100kg remaining in Paris, bypassing WOLF Aaron within the quarter to satisfy Daniel EICH (SUI) within the semi, however he didn’t anticipate what would occur then.
The semi remaining was among the best moments for me, I actually didn’t anticipate this to occur, there wasn’t a plan. For it to be over in 11 seconds, I didn’t see it. I don’t know the way it occurred, after all it may well occur within the first 10 seconds, possibly the subsequent, a minute or two, I used to be able to go ten or quarter-hour if I wanted to however this was simply prompt and excellent.
The ultimate didn’t go the best way he had hoped, although Sulamanidze had put the rating on the board towards eventual winner, Zelym KOTSOIEV (AZE), all of it fell aside as he was issued a 3rd shido with solely ten seconds left on the clock.
I don’t know, I can not even talk about this second in my very own language, concerning the remaining. It was so onerous for me to cope with proper then, however now I can say it was a really costly expertise and lesson for me. In Georgia, the gold medallist is awarded a million lari, and for silver it’s halved, so sure, an costly lesson! I’ve watched it again, and now it isn’t onerous, it was one second, one second in my life, and it’s okay. Life goes on.
Now he could say it was an costly error, however as soon as he arrived house to the help of household, mates and the Georgian public, it was swift realisation that he could be wanting for nothing.
Once we arrived house, there have been big celebrations for us! I used to be given items however extra so, it was the massive quantity of respect from Georgian folks, and I don’t know why however there was extra for me than for the Olympic Champion. I feel possibly as a result of folks like these emotional tales, these unhappy moments they usually supported me. Now I’ve an incredible state of affairs in Georgia and I’m effectively sorted. For some time I may even prepare after I wished… however not now [he laughs] now it’s again to work. Now, I’m getting ready just for an Olympic gold.
Judoka
Ilia Sulamanidze
Creator: Thea Cowen
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