JUDO
FEDERATION

Aibek Imashev, the winner of the Asian Youth Judo Championship, medalist of different international tournaments, who turned 21 this year, became a member of the national adult judo team recently. He now trains under the supervision of the same coaching staff that followed their trainees to the national adult team. The sportsmen told about his way in sports in his interview for a confederation.kz correspondent.

How do you feel in the adult team?

Ifeelgreat. I have the same coaches that I had in the youth team. I’ve been training with this coaching staff since 2009. I train in the same rhythm and with the same coaches. I try to learn what I don’t know and I also share my experience. Our champions train together with us, for example Maksim Rakov. He is a good model to follow. We learn a lot from them and we also try to develop our skills, analyze and correct our mistakes. We prepared for the World championship together with the national team. I wish our national team to perform well at the world championship and let the anthem of Kazakhstan be performed in the international arena many times.

You were in the training camp together with the judokas of the national team of Kyrgyzstan in Borovoe. How is this beneficial for the preparation process?

- This is the experience exchange for both teams. We also have camps in Moscow, Minsk, Turkey which is also an experience exchange and good practice.

- What are your plans for the nearest future?

- We are preparing for the Grand Prix, we want to get there and win. Then, it is the Championship of Kazakhstan. Long-term plans are all regarding the World Championships and Olympic Games. Everybody wants to get there and win.

- Tell us why you began your sports way in judo.

- I was born in Aktau. I have been going in for judo since I was 11. I practiced karate earlier. There is a recreation camp called “Tausamal” in Almaty. Such sport stars as Olympic medalist Askhat Zhitkeyev and others used to train there. They prepared for the Olympics in Athens and for the world championship in that camp. I was a child then and used to go to the camp. I watched judokas practicing. Coach Manarbek Tautanova saw me once and told me to go in for judo. Itookhisadviceandbegantraining. In two-three months I won the regional championship and vas invited to the championship of Kazakhstan. A coach from the Munaitpassov sports school saw me at there and recommended to pass the exam and enter that school. MyfatherthentookmetoAstana. I was late for the exam but the coach accepted me anyway. I had to advance to top three at the Kazakhstan championship in two months. And I became a bronze medalist and was enrolled at the school. I studied there five years and later my career in sport began.

Was it easy to get into the national team?

It is never easy in sport. It is impossible to win without tears and loses. I believe it is my destiny. I have been practicing karate for four year, but was always interested in judo. May be, Manarbek Tautanov saw my potential because he had huge experience and was preparing sportsmen for the Olympic Games. He died but he will always be in our hearts. Tournaments in honor of this man are held in Semey. I was glad that I chose the right way by choosing judo. I think I’m good at it and my goal is to achieve success in sport.

What are your plans for the future?

I you reach success in sport, you can achieve anything. Sport is for entire life. Even if I retire from sport I won’t be lost. I will work, if it is God’s will, I’ll be healthy and may parent will be well.

How is your education? As far as I know, you have your trainings twice a day. Do you have time for studying?

I have to train three times a day. I was almost dismissed from the university this year. But I represent the university at sports events as well. I was victorious at the recent Universiade in my weight category. Some teachers understand what we do in sport, some don’t. Some of them say if I am a sportsman I should study at a sport university. I study at the Oil and Gas department of the Caspian University of Technologies and Engineering named after Yessenov. Earlier, I studied finances in Astana, but as long as I represent Mangystau region is was invited to study in my native town. My father is an oil worker, for this reason I chose this profession. I try to study very hard, when I’m at home I attend all the classes and pass all the exams. It is very difficult due to my trainings and camps. To be honest, I like judo and training more than, for example, sitting in the office. This is not for me.

What about financial support? Is it enough for you what you earn in sport?

We receive very good support from the Federation and the directorate of the national teams. I cannot say that I make money plentiful, you know, we are young and always want more. However, thank God, I earn enough not to have any other jobs. The main thing is that we were provided with a gym and have a place to train. Thekeyistoworkhard. Then you will get everything.