After 10-year pause, Georgian weightlifting won gold medal at European Championship. In 2002, Giorgi Asanidze won gold medal in Antalya. This time, Raul Tsirekidze became champion of Europe in Antalya. The weightlifter from Kutaisi, who had won bronze medals at U-20 and U-23 European Championships, was the best among seniors – he stood on the highest step of the pedestal and was 6kg ahead of his nearest rival. Four years ago Raul Tsirekidze ended up Beijing Olympic Games with 143kg and injury though he competed in Group B and no one expected success from him. He arrived in London Olympic Games with great and real ambitions.
- What result did you plan before European Championship?
- I did not think about the championship but I knew that I could have fought for getting in Top 3. I held preparation period well and was physically and psychologically ready. I have never been on such form at any big tournament.
-In the first attempt you won silver medal and perhaps, you seriously thought about gold then…
-It was a great stimulus. I was only one kg behind the first-placed Fatih Baydar of Turkey but then I was 7kg ahead of him.
- You arrived in Antalya without head coach Vano Grikurov. It is interesting what did he advise you?
- He told me that I was ready for the result and the most important thing was to persuade myself in it. These words of Vano Grikurov really effected on me. We were always in touch and helped me from here. Georgian team has the best head coach and I am sure his work will bring result in future.
- You cannot help yourself from crying while raising Georgian flag on the pedestal…
- First of all because I could not believe that I did it. I was standing on the highest step of the pedestal and whole gym was listening to Georgian anthem.
- Though, organizers played old anthem…
- Before the awarding ceremony the whole team agreed on singing the anthem together. Boys were standing near the pedestal when music started. But we could not get in rhythm and stopped. To tell the truth, I was in such euphoria that I could not guess it was old anthem. After the end of the ceremony, we protested this fact and president of Turkish Weightlifting Federation officially apologized us. He even told announcer to announce that it was a mistake.
- You lifted 365kg in Antalya. Considering results of Athens and Beijing Olympic Games, this weight is enough for the 8th place. You are 15kg behind Top 3. How real is it to decrease this elimination till London Olympiad?
- This weight was enough for becoming champion at European Championship. Though, I lifted 370kg at tournament preparation meetings. It is not easy to decrease 10-kg elimination. You can do everything with great enthusiasm. More than 3 months are left till Olympiad and I will do my best to use this period productively.
- Will you compete in any tournament till Olympic Games?
- Georgian Championship will be held at the end of May and I will participate in it.
- Have you trained after returning from Turkey?
- Of course. I have not even missed one day. Head coach has written preparation plan of Olympic Games not in days but in hours.
Otar Maglakelidze
