On June 17, a wrestling tournament will begin in Kazan at the BRICS Games, and freestyle wrestlers will be the first to take to the mat. In the weight category up to 92 kg, Russia will be represented by the current Russian champion Alan Bagaev. We are publishing an interview with the athlete, recorded after his victory at the Russian Championship.

“We managed to win Russia on the fourth attempt,” Alan Bagaev clarified. “I suffered so much, and finally I got my reward.”

— Why didn’t you try yourself in the Olympic weight class at the Russian pre-Olympic championship?
- Once I lifted the weight up to 86 kg - I felt the difference, but to fight in the light heavyweights, you need to weigh at least 97-98 kg. I have a standing weight of 92-93 kg, so I stayed at 92 kg. Now I feel that the weight can go up - who knows, maybe I’ll move up to light heavyweight very soon.

— How did you get into wrestling?
— My cousin is Kakhaber Khubezhty. One summer I was relaxing with them, when they were already in full training, and when they went to training, there was no one at home - they took me with them. I was 8 years old. I first appeared in the wrestling room - from then on I started training, although I have been in wrestling since childhood thanks to my older brother Tamaz, he also trained, and I was aware of what wrestling was - but due to my age I did not train. But here I got, and there was no turning back.

— During all this time, did you have any thoughts of leaving wrestling and trying yourself in another sport?
— For a long time I played football at the same time, and played well for the republican level. I was big, bigger than my peers. There were thoughts of staying in football. But one day I went to an all-Russian competition and realized that there were a lot of football players like me, the level was high. He continued wrestling and a year later won the world championship.

— Who is your idol in the world of wrestling?
“Big brother, he’s a big wrestling fan.” During school time, he got me up every morning to do exercises, I got up after “I can’t.”

— The Russian Championship was held in an 11,000-seat arena, which is unusual for wrestling. What is it like to fight in such an atmosphere?
“Of course, I felt the bustle of a big event, but there was a carpet in my head, I was focused on my opponents.