Dmitry Klokov interviewed Khadzhimurat Akkaev.
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Part 1
Translation of Part 1
Everything in square brackets are explanations of idioms or background info.
KLOKOV: Hello everyone. In today’s episode of “On Equal Terms” (lit.) we sit down with the Silver medalist of the Olympic Games in Athens, Bronze medalist of the Olympic Games in Beijing, the 2011 European Champion, the 2011 World Champion, and just a very charismatic guy, Khadzhimurat AKKAEV. I appreciate it that you agreed to have this talk on video; after all, many people think that you and I don’t talk at all.
I would like to remind our viewers that Khadzhimurat AKKAEV was born March 27, 1985 in the city of Nalchik, in the Kabardino-Balkar Republic [an autonomous state within Russian Federation, located in the Caucasus region, near Chechnya, and AKKAEV is an ethnic Balkar], and currently residing and training in Rostov-on-Don [a major city in the south of Russia]. By the way, why did you decide to move to Rostov?
AKKAEV: Well, some people move because of, say, marriage, but in my case, I just fell in love with the city itself. I just found the perfect city to live in. I’m very happy that I live there now. Wonderful people, and I get along with them quite well. So right now I have no plans of moving anywhere else. It’s where my heart lies, as they say.
KLOKOV: You and I are kind of always around one another, during training camps and what not, but the thing is, I don’t even know how you got into Olympic weightlifting originally. Were you doing any other sports prior to that?
AKKAEV: Well, I did some wrestling… As in all things, it takes some exploration. And I got into Olympic weightlifting because I just wanted to become physically strong and fit. At that time, I wasn’t thinking about competition results and prospects — I just thought that it would make girls like me, and that was more than enough for me. You know what I’m talking about. So back then I had no real plans for Olympic weightlifting. And as time went on, the sport has become my lifestyle, and I’m sure you can relate to that.
KLOKOV: When did you start having aspirations to become a great athlete, and ultimately, the Olympic champion? Knowing you, I assume you had your ambitions the moment you first touched the bar.
AKKAEV: Of course, any sport fosters such qualities as determination and integrity. When I first came into the gym, I could not understand what all of this was about, but when I started competing, I tasted my first defeat, which definitely hurt my ego, so I really wanted to win.
KLOKOV: Do you remember the first meet after which you said to yourself “Yeah, I’m an awesome athlete”?
AKKAEV: Yeah, it was the local competitions in my Kabardino-Balkar Republic — and those had Nation-wide status, at that — and, let’s just say that, at the time, it was quite a phenomenal performance on my part, and I definitely made a big splash.
KLOKOV: And weightlifting is quite big in Kabardino-Balkaria, right?
AKKAEV: Yeah, it’s one of the most prominent sports there.
Childhood & Upbringing
KLOKOV: What were you doing besides weightlifting, and, more importantly, how was your academic performance at the time? Because knowing him, I can assert that Khadzhimurat is a very well-educated man, because the thoughts that he conveys, and the way he conveys them, indicate that he must have been a good student indeed.
AKKAEV: Thank you. I did, in fact, perform pretty good at school, passed the exams externally, and finished high school with only 4 “B”s, all others were “A”s.
KLOKOV: And what were the “B”’s for?
AKKAEV: Algebra, geometry, chemistry, physics — that is, not “our” subjects.
KLOKOV: Not your thing? [laughs]
AKKAEV: Yeah, definitely not my thing. I aced all the humanities, and when I applied for the university—University of Economics and Law—there was the English language exam, and the woman would hand me a brochure that I was supposed to work with to prepare for the exam, but I just said “I didn’t read it, I’m ready to take the exam right away”. And she warned me that if I fail, it’s going to be hard to rebound from that. So yeah, I passed the English exam, got an “A”.
[5 minute mark]
KLOKOV: Well yeah, you do like English…
AKKAEV: I guess I could have become a scholar, if things went that way, although I doubt it.
KLOKOV: You exhibit this interesting mix of class and cheekiness in relations with your teammates, your peers. Is this a character trait, or the way you were raised by parents?
AKKAEV: I’d say cheekiness is a trait of the Caucasus ethnicities in general. It’s in our blood. As for me, yes, it’s in my blood as well, but at the same time, I’m a just and fair person. So if I treat someone harshly, there’s solid reasoning behind it. I never do anything without a reason. Sure, sometimes I can be a hot head, just like anyone else.
KLOKOV: But how were you raised? Was there a certain way you were expected to behave?
AKKAEV: I had a rather liberal upbringing, parents never really prohibited anything. They trusted our judgment from early age — they let us live the way we wanted to, and whenever we did something wrong, they would tell us about it. And since we weren’t foolish, we understood everything, and eventually developed as personalities, the way we are right now.
KLOKOV: In your childhood, were you a calm kid, or a troublemaker? Did you fight in school?
AKKAEV: Oh yeah, I sure did. No fight would be complete without me. [Both laugh] We fought on a regular basis, we beat others, and others beat us… Well you know, schoolchildren are the most vicious and violent lot, they fight ruthlessly. Total mayhem. And I wasn’t much different; not to mention that it’s a normal way of things for Caucasus children, so it only made sense that I was aggressive.
KLOKOV: Do you agree with my opinion—one that I expressed numerous times on TV and in the press — that you are the most talented weightlifter of modern-day Russia?
AKKAEV: I gotta tell you, Dima, that in this regard you deserve much respect. I mean, you and I have always competed fiercely, all the way since we started lifting in this weight class… getting so carried away in this “race” that we’ve paid the price with our health and all that. So I have much appreciation and respect for you. But back to your opinion: I don’t know, really. We have many promising lifters in Russia, and I’m just doing my job, and I’ve always tried to be as diligent as possible. So I don’t know… I guess, other people are better judges of whether I’m really promising or not. What I can say, however, is that—I don’t know if that was covered in media—that even to this day, you are hands-down my most worthy adversary of all those I’ve ever competed against.
KLOKOV: I’ve read that.
AKKAEV: You have?
KLOKOV: Of course.
AKKAEV: I say this with all honesty.
KLOKOV: But how do you view this statement? As flattery? Respect?..
AKKAEV: As honesty, candor. Yes. I believe in this. I believe in your honesty.
About the 2011 World Championships
KLOKOV: By the way, I would like to remind our viewers that after winning of the 2011 World Championship in Paris, Khadzhimurat Akkayev was named the Best Lifter of the Year by the primary weightlifting journal “World Weightlifting”. This obviously corroborates my opinion on Khadzhimurat’s talent and achievements. [to Akkayev] What did this recognition bring you? How did you feel about it? Because I’m sure any lifter would love to have this… what did they give you, a cup?
AKKAEV: Yeah, a cup and [unintelligible]
KLOKOV: How did you first find out about it? What were your emotions when they called you? Pride? Because it occurred to me that if you hadn’t jerked 232 that day [Akkayev snickers], it would have been me receiving this prize… and I was, like, damn! That would have been cool! Obviously, Olympic champion title is the most prized one, but whatever else we have there—European titles and all that—this junk is something many people have. Now, becoming the BEST LIFTER of the world—granted, of a single year, but still— sure, it can’t compare to Rigert’s amazing title of the Best Lifter of the Century, but we’re never going to reach his level, because classic is classic, you know? So yeah, it was cool. How did you react to it?
[10 MINUTE MARK]
AKKAEV: Well, at that time, both you and I were in a certain state of euphoria. [Klokov says “yes”] And then this title… Of course I’m grateful to everyone involved. I’m sure this interview will be seen by our friends in America, and other countries, who voted and rooted for me, and I appreciate that a lot. At the time, though, I was obsessed with getting the Olympic gold…
KLOKOV: And this title boosted your confidence, didn’t it?
AKKAEV: I saw this world recognition as a responsibility, of sorts. You know? Accountability before the people. People who believe in you, vote for you. I don’t have a lot of senior competitions under my belt… basically, when I first went to that senior Worlds, which turned out to be quite a success—
KLOKOV: That’s quite a first trip! I also won my first World Championship… I went to Worlds like 6 times, but won only once. Khadzhimurat went to his first, and coincidentally won his first at the same time.
AKKAEV: Well, I guess that was my last trip to the World Championship…
KLOKOV: Who knows…
AKKAEV: Yeah, who knows… agreed. So yeah, of course it was a blast, but I think that it’s going to take me a long time to fully recognize the value of this title. I haven’t been thinking about it too much yet, and of course in future we’re probably going to remember all of our titles as something awesome. Some people sacrifice their lives to sport and achieve nothing, but you and I, we have pretty much identical titles, so we both have much to remember.
… to be continued.
Part 2
Translation of Part 2
Klokov: Basically we both spend 10 months a year at various training camps. What would you say about their level in general? Particularly, about the meals?
Akkaev: The best camp (and the victory in the industry contest proves my point) is the one in Taganrog [coastal city in South of Russia]
Klokov: The best? When it comes to meals, you mean?
Akkaev: When it comes to everything: meals, training, etc.
Klokov: What is that contest you’ve mentioned, by the way?
Akkaev: There was a nationwide contest among the catering enterprises, catering at training and sports camps I mean. And the one in Taganrog won it. Why do I say that it is the best? You’re aware that during the training psychological aspect is very important…
Klokov: Couldn’t agree more.
Akkaev: Psychological pressure is huge and recreation is priceless. When we’re at the camp, say in Chekhov, the little things matter. Well, Chekhov is passable, but take Ruza or Ognikovo [small towns in Moscow Oblast, Oblast is a administrative territory unit in Russia, think of a state in the U.S.] — guys, who train there simply go nuts, because it’s so boring. I’ve also discovered Sochi [major city in South of Russia, it will host 2014 Winter Olympics] training camp recently…
Klokov: You’ve been there? I haven’t.
Akkaev: I have. It’s great *gives thumbs up*. Gym itself is so-so, but recreational facilities are beyond any praise. But back to Taganrog, I’ve singled out several pros for myself: first, you can hang out in the city, I have lots of friends here; second, the meals are superb; third, the training conditions are great; and a bonus for me — I’m not far from home. I can go over there for a weekend.
Klokov: So it suits all your needs. Nothing disturbs you.
Akkaev: Not a thing. I am asked sometimes whether I want to visit another camp, have a bit of a rest. I always say “No, I’m fine here”.
Klokov: I’ve lived in Taganrog for years myself. Team practice was taking place somewhere far away, David Adamovich [David Rigert] with the guys was in Chekhov, but he allowed me to stay and train here. Because you know the saying, let well alone. Why would you leave your family, your home and your friends if you can train here just as well… Sport is not the only thing in life, you know. It’s not uncommon when a sportsman comes back home, but no one waits for him. So you should train where you’re comfortable.
*Akkaev nods*
Klokov: So we share the same opinion about THE best training camp. And which would you call the worst?
Akkaev: The one in Podolsk [city in Moscow Oblast], I’d say.
Klokov: Why? It has the vibes, has it not?
Akkaev: Yeah, but the vibes alone won’t get you to better lifts. And after all, I haven’t been there for ages. Truth be told, apart from those mentioned, I’ve only been to four or five camps. Chekhov, Ruza — but that’s distant past. Podolsk…
Klokov: So, the only one you haven’t been to, is the one in Ognikovo?
Akkaev: Yeah
Klokov: But we’ll go there this August.
Akkaev: I’ve done a 1RM there, before the Junior World Championship. So technically I’ve visited the camp, but I don’t remember a thing from there.
Klokov: It has changed a lot.
Akkaev: I don’t remember the road, the camp itself and it’d be fair to say that I’ve never been there. But you know what? I think the one in Chekhov is the worst.
Klokov: Really?
Akkaev: Yes. It’s awful in winter. I’m on the verge of not training at all in the winter time. Training there, I mean. It’s one hell of a challenge. When you finally make it to the gym, you’ve exhausted enough to go home already.
Klokov: We constantly argue about that with the coaches. They always tell that there’s nowhere to go for a walk here. Although there’s an oak grove nearby — it has seen its better days, of course, but still… Coaches are full of energy, they’re always willing to stroll around. We’re bit different — after 10 sets of 10 reps of squats I just want to go back to my room in a towel and lie down. And in Chekhov you have to cover hell of a distance before you get home, wind is blowing, roads haven’t been cleaned, your socks are soaking wet (and I have an arthritis), not what you call an easy ride. I probably wouldn’t say that it’s the worst, but I agree with the cons that you’ve mentioned.
Anyway, we’re in Taganrog right now. What are you preparing for and what are your plans for 2013?
Akkaev: I’ll try to train for the World Championship, although I’m not sure that I’ll come
Akkaev: Well, it’s the first time I and en entire year for training. I’ve started on April 6, when I came here. Now I’m in 60-70% of my top shape. I’ll try to train for the World Championship, although I’m not sure that I’ll come.
Klokov: Well, no one can be 100% sure about these things. We’ve been 100% sure that we’d go to London.
*both laugh*
Akkaev: And I always remember your words: “It takes one day to finish off your career”. So I won’t promise that I will be there no matter what. So, yeah, the World Championship then. As for 2014, 2015 — I don’t look so far into the future now. I live for the day. I’ll do my best and come what may.
About Injuries
Klokov: How are your injuries? I’ve heard you had quite a serious one.
Akkaev: Truth be told, at first it was tough. My entire back was excised.
Klokov: Do you talk about the surgical treatment in London?
Akkaev: Yes, it was in August. Then I came to Rostov for the rehab, physiotherapy and stuff. Nothing worries me at the moment. There are some minor issues, but you know — we lift iron, and when you do that you’re never 100% healthy.
Klokov: But sometimes injuries make you lose coordination.
Akkaev: I’ve got a bit of asymmetry in my back. Right part of my waist is slightly weaker than the left one. That’s probably because I still try to be cautious with the weights.
Klokov: Don’t worry, you have plenty of time to gain some meat there.
Akkaev: In general, I have nothing to complain about, training as I do today. The question is,
whether I will be able to get back to shape in time. Time is running out. I’ve missed a lot of time, 9 months, give or take. And now I have 6 more to get fit for competition.
Klokov: It’s doable.
Akkaev: Yes, and given enough time, I’ll be at the World Championship.
About His Cat
Klokov: Let’s talk about your cat, the one that you live with at the training camp. What his name? It’s him, right?
Akkaev: Yeah, it’s a he-. His name’s Klovis.
Klokov: Is it just a call of heart or do you have a more pragmatic reason? It is said that cats can
heal their owners. Do you apply him to your back before going to sleep? *laughs*
I was feeling lonely and it just occurred to me to get a cat.
Akkaev: Nah, even if you do apply him to your back, he wouldn’t stay there for long. He’s his own master. It was absolutely coincidental, a random thing. I came to Taganrog in January, I was feeling lonely and it just occurred to me to get a cat. So I went online, found an ad of the breeder and called. It was exactly the breed I wanted.
Klokov: Was it expensive?
Akkaev: Depends. It was 300$ for a kitten.
Klokov: Well it’s not that much. Not some super fancy breed.
Akkaev: No, nothing of a kind. So I brought him, he was just a little ball of fur. And I really wanted to see him grow. His was like a baby to me.
Klokov: Well that means…
Akkaev: Means what?
Klokov: That you live no just to lift and do business, that you’re interested in other things too.
Akkaev: I guess. Well that was an impetuous decision.
Klokov: Which has turned into a responsibility since. Even when you came for an interview all the way from Rostov, you brought him with you. When you went out of the car, your friend, who brought you, was about to leave. And you were like: “Stop, man! My cat!” and you took him from the back seat. He travels like that, on a back seat, no cage and stuff. He’s a top cat.
*both laugh*
Klokov: Back to your injury though. Have you had any accidents before? Because I’ve always remembered you like a person without a single complain about your health.
Akkaev: I never had one. Just some stupid ones. Like the other day I came to the gym to Slavik [diminutive name for Slava, apparently Vladislav Rigert — translator's note] and told him to hold the bag, I wanted a bit of bag practice. Why the hell would I do that, I ask myself. So the bag bounced and I hurt my wrist. That’s always how it is with me — all of my injuries are my own fault.
Klokov: Yeah, all of us sportsmen do that. You get the combat spirit and want to try something new.
Akkaev: Exactly. Like wrestle with friends right on the verge of Olympics. My knee crunched, I got bruised and was unable to train for a week. Apti [apparently Apti Akhadov, member of Russian junior Olympic team] had to make up stories to cover me — like I was squatting and hurt my leg. Apart from that I never had a single serious injury.
*Klokov laughs*
10min mark
Akkaev: But I never had a single injury from lifting.
Klokov: So, no professional injuries then?
Akkaev: Nope, not a single one. Before this last one. I had some alarm signals from my body, but I stretched, warmed up and was fine. A tiny sprain, who cares. So I didn’t pay attention. Until it was too late. My only injury and such a fateful one.
Klokov: I know that you’re into philosophy.
Akkaev: Not anymore.
Klokov: But it was a hobby of yours, wasn’t it? Did it help you to overcome the failure of the Russian team in London? What did you feel about the fact that we didn’t go, you and I?
Akkaev: I am Muslim, you see. Our duty is to believe in destiny and predestination — in other words, into fate.
Klokov: Yeah, I’ve often heard this.
Akkaev: There’s a quote from Quran, for instance: “the pen is lifted and the ink has dried out”. If it’s over, then it’s over. Everything is predetermined. That’s why it was easy for me to get through it.
Although I still face the echoes of that situation today and they are not particularly pleasant.
Klokov: Yeah, when you accidentally read the news or something.
Akkaev: Exactly. Like when I read something in the Internet and see Torokhtiy [Oleksiy Torokhtiy, Ukrainian weightlifter, who won the gold at 2012 Summer Olympics in men's 105 kg category] and I turn the computer off, trying to calm myself down, repeating that it was my fate anyway. Well, Dimon didn’t go either [speaks of Klokov; Dimon is a form used by the friends, not an official contraction like Dima, but not a diminutive form either], Aramnau didn’t go [Andrei Aramnau, Belarusian weightlifter], Albegov [Ruslan Albegov — Russian weightlifter in 105+ category] screwed his attempts. I keep saying myself that it’s all wrong.
Klokov: Yeah, doesn’t look like a coincidence. One athlete, who failed to deliver the best performance — it happens, two — still can be explained. But four of them?! In the same category?!
Akkaev: I don’t know what they’ve been up to in Ukraine *laughs*
Klokov: Actually, I’ve spoken to Torokhtiy recently and we’re going to use the same program in August. I will soon talk to him again, and will try to figure out what evil sorcery this was. Oh, I will also ask, where he stores his medals and probably will even hold the medal that Khadzhimurat and I were tearing our asses out for.
Akkaev: He’s a good guy after all, Torokhtiy. I’ve been called to a press-conference after the Olympics. He approached me, said that he was sorry for my injury. I liked that trait of his. Iranians were arrogant, noses in the air. Torokhtiy hasn’t been like that at all.
Klokov: And Iranians are partially kin to people of Caucasus, no?
Akkaev: Let me explain. There are Sunni and Shia branches of Islam. Like protestant, catholic and orthodox Christians. They hate each other. Literally can’t stand one another. They know that I’m Sunni and they have this disparaging attitude. Me, I have no problems with that. I easily conversed with that second Iranian. What was his name? Sayeed? Sayad?
Klokov: *smiling* We don’t even know their names!
Akkaev: Doesn’t really matter. I was like: “Hey you. How’s it going?” No fuss, no scorn. But they treated us a bit differently. Which is why I like Torokhtiy even more — although he clearly understood that had even one of us competed, he probably wouldn’t have gotten the gold. Still, he came to give his sympathies. Thanks, friend. If you watch this, know that I’m grateful
*nods to the camera*
Klokov: What place do girls hold in your life?
Akkaev: *smiles crookedly* I can’t live without them.
Klokov: This smile told us all, really. But I think our female viewers would be interested to know, what kind of girls Khadzhimurat likes.
Akkaev: You know, I’ve recently caught myself thinking that I like ALL of them. There are no unattractive women.
Klokov: *laughing* I know the ending to this saying
Akkaev: Do you?
Klokov: Yeah, there is a Russian saying: “There is no such thing as an unattractive woman — there may be not enough vodka” [the saying indeed exists and is quite popular]
*both laugh*
Akkaev: No, my point was that every woman has something special about her. You just have to look carefully to see her beauty.
Klokov: Agreed. Do you date someone at the moment?
Akkaev: I don’t.
Klokov: What should a girl of dream be or look like?
Akkaev: A faithful one.
Klokov: So you value faithfulness?
Akkaev: Yes, that is the ultimate merit of any woman. Faithfulness and honesty.
Klokov: And what about the looks?
Akkaev: It is important for me, too. Some people say that the most important thing for a girl is to have a good heart.
Klokov: What is that supposed to mean?
Akkaev: Don’t ask me, I don’t know. She may have her issues. We, men, will never completely understand women. But if she’s good-looking and faithful, she’s the one for me.
Klokov: I absolutely agree about faithfulness. And back to your cat. Usually, people get themselves pets, when they want to take care of a living creature and try themselves: whether they are capable of that or not. So it is a kind of a test — whether you’re ready to have kids or not? So are you?
Akkaev: I am ready. And let me tell you something. Even if I wasn’t, I would have been made to. Among Caucasian nations this is a must, a tradition, a man’s duty.
Klokov: And speaking of traditions. I’ve heard that there’s custom that you should only marry a girl of the same nationality.
Akkaev: Absolutely not true. Even Quran says: “You are free to marry chaste Christian or Judaic women”. According to Quran, Muslim woman cannot marry a person of another religion, but men can.
Klokov: Have you ever fallen in love?
Akkaev: Of course. I am a living man, I have feelings. But I’ve never been insanely in love. Besides, with whom are we supposed to fall in love anyway? I mean here, in the training camp. Barbells are our true loves. You have to break up with the barbell first — then you get married in a snap.
Klokov: Ain’t got time for love, you see.
Akkaev: True that. You were lucky to have a break to get into a TV-show and meet your wife. I wasn’t that lucky.
Klokov: Yeah, there are people who never stop the hard work and those, who enjoy some leisure time. I belong to the second type obviously. So eventually my leisure time ended with a marriage. I didn’t have a single regret ever since — and that was 8 years ago.
About His Famous Interview
KLOKOV: Now. Let’s talks about your article [referring to his famous interview]…
Akkaev: I’ve been waiting for this question…
Klokov: The one that made a lot of hype. I remember that it was first mentioned during the Russian Championship in Kazan. And all the competition hysteria, all the team fuss was eclipsed — your article stole the show. Everyone was discussing it. What made you do that, I mean personal remarks? What was the last straw that broke the camel’s back? Because I know you as a person, who holds traditions and hierarchy almost sacred. And then, su-mash, like a bolt from the blue, comes out this article.
Akkaev: I want to make it clear first. Everyone condemns me for making less than flattering comments about national team. My opinion about the President of the Federation, head coach wasn’t the key issue. People interpret it whichever they deem convenient.
Klokov: The way they’ve always done before.
Akkaev: That’s especially true about the member of Shatoy internet-forum [web-site dedicated to weightlifting]. If I only knew how to register there, I would have responded to many people. But I digress. I said, and I quote myself: “Our national team is full of remarkable people; they are great lads, very sympathetic, would never leave you in trouble and I’ve never questioned their personal qualities. But at the moment national team is not quite ready to compete at an international level — and both head coach and President of the Federation agree with me on that one. The only exceptions are the categories of 85 kg (namely Apti Aukhadov) and 94 (Artem Ivanov)”
Klokov: Khadzhimurat wants to say that the level of national team doesn’t keep up with the standard.
Akkaev: All of them are really promising athletes. They have a potential to grow and shine bright, in the years to come if not now. They will blossom by the next Olympics. That goes without saying.
I trust in them.
Klokov: We have another change of generations again, aren’t we?
Akkaev: Of course. Oh, and by the way. I wasn’t actually called to the training camp by the Federation [National Weightlifting Federation]. I came by myself, sponsored by “Yunost’ Moskvy” [Youth of Moscow, Olympic reserve weightlifting school in Moscow].
Klokov: Same here.
I was stripped of the salary.
Akkaev: I was stripped of the salary. Although I was promised that it wouldn’t come to that.
Klokov: Who promised you that?
Akkaev: Syrtsov, President of the Federation. He gave me his word that he’d keep my wage. Well, I don’t have it anymore. I’ve even went to the head coach and apologized. Just think of it! I had to apologize for the injury. If a brick falls on top of my head, while I’m taking a walk, am I supposed to apologize for being dead?
I went to the Minister of Sports and he said that there’s nothing to apologize for, that it is ridiculous. And yet my apologies are not enough for the head coach and President of the Federation.
Klokov: Well, they got emotional.
Akkaev: And have I not? I had to miss Olympics because of that!
Klokov: I understand you like no other.
Akkaev: What really got under my skin and made me go personal, was that President and the head coach have not kept their word. I’ve never whimsical, saying that I won’t compete at the Nationals and would only go to the World Championship, without selection or anything — quite the contrary, I said that I am up for any selection, that I’d be glad to come to the training camp and be tested just like any member of the national team. So, please, don’t misinterpret my words.
Klokov: That was one of the purposes of this interview — to add clarity. So that people wouldn’t have to guess. And one more thing, you’re free to ask me whatever you like on YouTube or through my e-mail [rus-winner@mail.ru].
Akkaev: I do not consider myself an outstanding athlete. I might have more titles and ranks than some other sportsmen, but regardless of that — at the present moment I am an ordinary member of the team. Like you, Dima.
Klokov: True. We’re soldiers. That’s how I think of ourselves.
Akkaev: Agreed. I used to say the same after Beijing Olympics. We’re soldiers — we go, where they send us. I am an ordinary athlete and I claim that I’m ready to prove my superiority through the selection of any kind and get the ticket to the World Championship.
Klokov: Just like I mentioned during the interview with Oleg Chen, if a person has been bringing his country medals and fame for 10 years and then stumbles — yes, the timing was bad, but you can’t predict these things — maybe you should support him and give him a break instead of setting all the dogs on him.
And I also would like to thank (and I think you’d support me) Maxim Abdulmejidov [President of the Moscow Weightlifting Federation]…
Akkaev: I am indeed very grateful to him.
Klokov: I’d like to thank him for being probably the only person — apart from my friends and family — who supported me, when I was down on my luck, after the London failure. He supported me — and keeps supporting me now — helping my family and giving me a place to train.
to be continued …
Dmitry Klokov Interviews Khadzhimurat Akkaev is a post by Gregor from All Things Gym.