Otar Tushishvili one of the experienced members of Georgian free-style wrestling team returned to sport a week ago after one-year compulsory break, he beat all the rivals and became champion in 66kg weight category at Georgian championship, but in final fight he was injured, supposedly he damaged his rib. For finding out details of treatment, “World Sport” connected to bronze medal winner at Beijing Olympic Games today:
- To tell the truth, I expected that my injury would be more difficult. After a week progress is evident. I do not suffer from pain and supposedly I will be able to start training in two weeks. I have to start preparing for new season and need such trainings where my injury will not disturb. When I start working on technical -tactical trainings I will be already recovered.
- What did you injure? After ending final it was said that your rib was broken..
- I broke this rib in 1996. Then I recovered and since that time it has not suffered me any more. In 2003 I damaged another rib, which disturbs me time by time. As I was told, this rib was injured again and caused terrible pain. It does not need operation, now I am being treated with

- In which match did you feel pain?
- In the third circle. In semi-final pain become more difficult. In final, after ending the second set I guessed that I could neither wrestling nor standing, fortunately I had already won the match. In other case I would not be able to continue match and automatically I would lose.
- Since the first circle you wrestled with tranquilizers at Georgian championship, did you suffer from another trauma too?
- At the end of preparation process, while wrestling in sparring match my hand muscle was stretched and it used to cause pains in some periods. For example, I could not recline on it and finally it caused damage of rib.
- Would not it better if you did not take a risk?
- No, I was not in alarming condition. There was not chance of complication of muscle. No one can say that I would get another injury. It is sport and everything is common here. Now, I do not have any problem besides rib.
- License tournament for Olympic Games will be held in April-May…
- I think I will be in good physical condition at that time and probably will manage to wrestle at international tournaments. The main is other traumas not to disturb me.
 

Otar Maglakelidze