Maratbek Myktybekov: I did return to sport, but in other role
Kazakhstan’s first medalist of the World Judo Championship who won a bronze medal in Africa in 2000, Kazakhstan champion Maratbek Myktybekov came to professional judo from kazaksha kures and sambo. In 2004, the judoka was preparing for the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. He was ready to qualify for the Olympic, but got a back injury at the practice and had to retire. A few years later he came back in sports but in other role. Since November 2012, Maratbek Myktybekov holds the post of Vice President of Judo Federation of Kazakhstan.
In his interview, Maratbek Myktybekov told about the process of preparation of the national judo team of Kazakhstan to the World Championship and about the prospects for development of this sport in our country.
Mr. Myktybekov, could you tell how hard it is for a sportsman to recover from an injury and begin a usual life? You’ve been through it, could you share your feelings?
Yes, after the injury the doctors red flagged me from wrestling forever. My recovery process took two years and was very painful. The process was not so much physically difficult as emotionally. Judowasmylife, Iloveditverymuch. Normallifewasunfamiliarforme. I got used to permanent trainings, camps, competitions. Anditallwasgoneinamoment. Then, Isteppeddownfromsportsatall. I worked for a company for some time. The head of the company always has and still roots for sports and helps in development of wrestling, boxing and other combat sports. Thanks to him, I started my career in the boxing federation as an executive director and later in the Asian sports confederation. Since last year, I have worked in the Judo Federation of Kazakhstan. I did return to sport, but in other role.
How does the career of a sportsman having a title of master of sport go? What are the prospects for professionals? Because only the very few of sportsmen achieve international recognition and win Olympic medals.
Everyonechooseshisway. One can continue as a coach or choose other work. People go in for sports not only for the Olympic medal. Sport teaches us discipline and helps in physical development. This is what any young man needs in life.
What impact did integration of five federations under the Confederation of Combat and Strength Sports have on development of the Judo Federation?
The Confederation was founded last year. It was the right decision, I think. We receive good support for athletes, trainers and administrative officials.
The Confederation helps to establish international contacts. But the most important thing is financial support, of course. Sportsmen winning international tournaments now receive financial rewards from the Kazakh side represented by the Confederation. Both trainers and athletes received rewards. This is a very good incentive.
Training camps were opened in all regions of the country. Now, athletes can train in any region. Formerly, it cost us a lot. Presently, thanks to the support of the Confederation we can afford it.
What events are planned to be held with the support of the Confederation?
The international five federations festival is planned to be held. Junior competitions have already been held with the support of the Confederation. We also negotiate the opportunities for inviting foreign specialists to teach local trainers, sport managers with “Bolashak” international program. This has never been done before. Presently, these directions require permanent attention and development in Kazakhstan. Everything develops rapidly in sports, we need to keep pace with the other developed countries.
Isthereenoughsportsschools, judoclubsinKazakhstan?
There are national sports schools in the country. The good thing is that many private schools are opening now. Presently, there are free and commercial sports clubs in all regions of the country. Certainly, it would be good to launch a state program of training judo in schools, but it requires huge investments. The equipment is very expensive. Besides, every average school has only one gym and a separate gym is necessary for training judo.
The confederation also renders great assistance in terms of technical provision, purchase of equipment, judo mats. Thanks to the confederation and our sponsor – SAT company we have already purchased about 20 new sets.
What prospects does judo have?
First of all, judo is an Olympic sport which is also very spectacular and interesting. In terms of the Olympic popularity ratings, judo takes the second place.ItgathersfullarenasattheOlympics. In Kazakhstan, it also gathers full arenas without any large-scale advertising.
The World Judo Championship starts in Brazil soon. How does the preparation of Kazakhstani athletes go?
We have developed a preparation plan for the World Championship at the beginning of the year. Theathletes’ preparationgoesinaccordancewith theplan. We participated in international tournaments thanks to the support of the Confederation and the Agency for Tourism and Sport. The last camp is expected to be held in Borovoye on August 1-10. Thewholenationalteamwillbethere. Therosterofthenationalteamhas already beendefined. Ninepeoplewillrepresentourcountry. Totally, therearesevenweightcategories. However, according to the new rules of the international federation, two people can represent the country in each weight category now. So, in two weight categories we have two athletes to represent Kazakhstan. We also decided to organize a camp in Brazil. We will departure about 8 days earlier to adopt to the local climate conditions before the championship.
What can you say about preparation for the Olympic Games now?
We have promising young athletes, but it is too early to say who of them will go to the Olympics. OurleaderiscertainlyworldchampionMaksimRakov. The World Masters tournament bringing together athletes from the top 16 of the international rating was held recently. Our judoka Sergey Lim won gold medal in the weight category 66 kg at the tournament.
Could you name Kazakhstani judokas entering the top 16 of the world rating?
Yeldos Smetov presently takes the 9th place in the weight category 60 kg, Askhat Telmanov is fourteenth, Sergey Lim takes the fourth place in the category 66 kg.
What work is conducted within the Olympic Solidarity Program?
Again, thanks to the confederation, we got off the ground in this direction. When we heard about this program, we decided to consider our participation. If we work on it seriously, I think we will receive necessary support from the IOC in licensing future Olympic champions, organization of seminars, sending specialists abroad to take professional development courses.
Thank you for your time and wish our national team success at the upcoming World Championship!
Thank you!
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