Uncertainty about the participation of Russian athletes in the next Olympic Games, and as a consequence, lack of motivation, was the main reason for the defeat of two-time Olympic champion in freestyle wrestling, Abdulrashid Sadulaev, in the semifinals of the World Championships held in Belgrade.
“I wouldn’t make a tragedy out of it, although I’ve been catching myself in a bad mood all day,” Gadzhiev said, summarizing the week on his Youtube channel. “I will tell you what the reason is.”
“Yes, injury, certainly, some other reasons are named, but the most global reason, as it seems to me, is that Abdulrashid Sadulaev does not believe to the end that he himself will turn out to be a participant in the Olympic Games. That is, that our athletes will be admitted to the Olympic Games. And if they are not admitted, I think Abdulrashid has no real motivation”
“I would like to see the question of whether they go or not decided as soon as possible, and if they do, I’m sure Abdulrashid will find motivation, break into Paris in top form and become a three-time Olympic champion”
The day before, 27-year-old Abdulrashid Sadulaev failed to reach the final of the World Championships at 97kg, refusing to continue his bout with 20-year-old pupil of his school Akhmed Tajudinov, representing Bahrain. At the time the match was stopped, Sadulaev, who had suffered a neck injury, was losing 9-2 to his countryman.
In the quarterfinal match, Tajudinov defeated American Kyle Snyder 11-0, and his opponent in the final will be Magomedkhan Magomedov, representing Azerbaijan.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/32667-kamil-gadzhiev-nazval-prichinu-porazheniya-abdulrashida-sadulaeva.html?rand=19907
