How were the preparations of the leading contestants of the representation, how were they able to work out such a good team?

All those who won medals were in the process of training the whole time, day and night. As for Levan Saginashvili, Vasili Dautashvili, Revaz Lutidze and Genadi Kvikvinif – they did not have enough time for training. The guys themselves were surprised by their results. They were at meetings in the street and in the evening Genadi and Levan trained together at tournaments. They suffered injuries (Kvikvinia fought with a broken finger), there was no time to rest or go to a doctor.

We also have some problems inside the federation. Soso Dzhachvliani is still the president and does nothing for the development of armwrestling, but the wrestlers struggle to make a change.

What do you think, who of the national team was the favorite to win gold, and who hasn’t shown all their abilities?

Of course, they were Dzhambul Vibliani, Vileni Gabrava, Aleks Fretsuashvili. David Samushia started great as well, and Revaz Lutidze. I was surprised and pleased when Irakli Gamtenadze won in the finals. Everyone performed great!

It seemed that, in connection with the absence of Khadzhymurat Zoloew, Zubar Tavberidze would have no problems to win gold in right hand, but he met resistance from a young wrestler from Turkey and lost after a great battle. Why was it - has he not treated his opponent seriously, or perhaps the armwrestler from Turkey really had a fantastic strength?

As to Zubar Tavberidze, we expected him to win.

He did everything he could, but I know that he could have done even more. He won in hook, but I have a feeling that the Turk was prepared specifically – he went for the wrist and won. As for the fight in left hand, he really won. He dragged the Russian to the cushion, but the referee did not notice. Refereeing was very low level. This is a profanation. Competitors in the super heavyweight weight showed a great fight. What they lacked to win the gold in right hand? I am convinced that you were prepared to fight with Krasimir Kostadinov, but Arif Ertem proved to be the strongest, did you expect that?

In the super heavyweight weight, as I said, the athletes were not prepared. There was no training especially for Krasimir or Arif. They just fought. Krasimir hasn’t won with them, Levan lacked millimeters – two fouls, Genadi was already winning, and he felt that Krasimir couldn’t take him in hook. But again – the refereeing. Kasimir had no chance to go to the semi-finals. And what was that farce with Matuszenko in left hand? Anyone who knows anything about armwrestling, knows that he has won! As for the Turkish guy – he just had luck.

What will be the team-up for the world championships? Will you again surprise the world of armwrestling with new young stars?

The representation will be the same, but the medals will be better. I am confident that the contestants will be prepared and the representation will go like a storm! But if the refereeing will be at the same level, there is no point to such competitions. Armwrestling can’t grow in these conditions.