How would you rate your shape, going to the Zloty Tur? Did you feel you could win a medal?
I was counting on having a chance, depending on who else would come. It all worked out somehow. I didn't know what the level would be, it wasn't bad.
You thought it would be harder?
I was counting on everyone being equal, but Kostadinov stood out a little. The rest was pretty equal to me.
So is Kostadinov the best after all?
Yes, it was apparent. When I gripped with him, in the second fight, I actually felt my tendons shift, I thought – oh no, this is not my league yet, it's too early for me.
I wanted to ask who was the most difficult for you. It appears it was Krasimir?
Yes, I felt him very much. Also Igor Miroshnyk was very hard for me. I felt this fight, entering into the finals. He tried attacking me over the top and with hook. I defended hard, the fight was very heated. With the French guy, in the semi-finals, I knew he couldn't do anything to me. I just waited till he got tired, but he fouled and made it even easier for me.
So he looked hard but wasn't, not really?
He got the other side of the ladder, where almost everyone was better. Dobrovic, Vadim Stetsiuk, Kostadinov. Grochowski. So, entering the semi-finals, I knew that if I didn't mess something up, I would win easy. And I did. I thought I would be able to stop Krasimir in the finals, that maybe I did something wrong in our previous fight. But when he beat me twice, I knew it was his strength, not my mistakes.
How many Zloty Turs have you been to?
Three. Once I placed 6th, I think, and once 4th. I lost at the entry to semis, with Brzenk.
So you are climbing upwards?
It would seem so.
Why?
Because many times it happens that you take bad places, but are in good shape. Everything can happen at a tournament. Depends on who comes, or what kind of day you are having. There are various factors influencing your shape at a given day. You cannot assume that you will take an even better place than before, just because you are stronger. Everybody trains and everyone is progressing. The winner is the one who makes the biggest progress.
Are you happy with your scores at Zloty Tur 2015?
I am. I was actually counting on third place. And I took second, so mission accomplished. And I am surprised with 6th place in OPEN. I thought I would lose immediately, but I drew well, I had some weaker guys. I am really very happy.
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