Difficult return of wrestlers to the world carpet: Sargsyan won the World Cup silver, ahead of hope for women and freemen

The long-awaited return of the Russian national team to the world stage under its native tricolor was one of the most discussed and significant events of this sports autumn. After a six-year and forced period of performances in neutral status, Russian wrestlers once again received a unique opportunity to defend the honor of their country at the most prestigious forum on the planet. However, as is often the case in big sport, the initial euphoria of returning quickly gave way to a harsh and sober reality. The level of competition in Astana turned out to be truly prohibitive, and each step on the carpet requires our athletes to give maximum dedication, endurance and maximum concentration on each technical technique.

The Greco-Roman wrestling tournament, which traditionally opens the program of the world championships, became a real and serious test for the Russian team. Expectations from our athletes were traditionally high, because historically it was the classical style that brought us many gold medals of the highest standard at the largest competitions. Nevertheless, the tournament grid was ruthless, and the opponents showed the highest level of physical and tactical training. Despite this, our athletes did not give up for a second, showing unbending character and the will to win in each individual fight, even when luck turned away from them.

A bright ray of light in these difficult days was a truly brilliant performance of Artur Sargsyan in the weight category up to 97 kilograms. This talented and promising wrestler demonstrated impeccable technique, enviable composure and incredible physical readiness on the carpet. After going through a series of tense and exhausting fights, he deservedly made his way to the final, where in a stubborn struggle he lost only to the representative of Belarus Kirill Maskevich. The won silver was not just the first medal for the national team, but also a powerful psychological impulse, which proved that we are still able to compete on equal terms with the strongest athletes of the planet.

Unfortunately, the rest of our school of Greco-Roman wrestling failed to conquer the world pedestal this time. Experienced masters and young promising athletes stumbled at different stages of the tournament, yielding in equal and extremely uncompromising fights. However, it would be fundamentally wrong to write them off or subject them to excessive and unconstructive criticism. Every fight held at such a high international level is an invaluable experience, absolutely necessary for further professional growth. These temporary difficulties will certainly become a reliable foundation for future high-profile triumphs and victories.

Nevertheless, the World Cup in Astana is still far from over, and the Russian national team has all objective grounds for firm optimism. Already now, the women’s team began to confidently confirm its high ambitions, which shows an aggressive and effective struggle on the carpet. Our girls, such as Elizaveta Smirnova and Alina Kasabieva, have already successfully overcome the first barriers and made their way to the quarterfinal stages of their weight categories. Their determination and tactical literacy inspire strong confidence in the women’s team’s upcoming medals and overall success.

However, today, on October 27, a few hours before the decisive fights among women, it became known that Smirnova suffered an eye injury in the 1/8 finals of the World Cup with Morgan Nicole Turner of the United States. The American twice poked in the eye of our athlete, as a result of which injured the Russian cornea of the eye. This injury is considered very dangerous and the official doctors of UWW decided to remove it from subsequent competitions. At the moment, Elizabeth was sent to the hospital by ambulance, where the question of a possible operation will be decided.

** *

The main hopes of our fans, of course, are associated with the upcoming starts of freestyle wrestlers. This type of wrestling has always been and remains the hallmark of the national wrestling school, and the current team looks more than impressive and ambitious. The squad is headed by two-time Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulayev, whose name alone terrifies any rivals around the world. It is expected that the freemen will bring Russia the bulk of the awards, demonstrating to the world their traditional power, explosive speed and unsurpassed tactical skill.

So far, the only silver of Arthur Sargsyan in our treasury is not a cause for despondency at all, but an important strategic reference point and reference point. Returning under the national flag always comes with tremendous psychological pressure, and the team copes with it, gaining momentum step by step