Our VK correspondent had a conversation with the Beijing Olympic Champion in boxing, Rahim Chahkiev, who recently arrived in Ingushetia to have some rest between hard matches.
- Rahim, recently you won your fifth prize-fight against professional Slovak boxer Slavomir Selitskii, scoring a knockout in the second minute of the first round. Do you know that Ingushetia roots for you?
- Thank you. The support of my compatriots is very important to me. I remember, when we just arrived in Ingushetia from the Olympics I was literally overcome by the number of people in Magas airport who came to congratulate us, and the warmth of the welcome. At that moment I thought: "Hey bro, it was not for nothing". I'd like to thank all my fans for their support.
- What do you think should be done for the development of sportin Ingushetia?
- The support of youth definitely boosts sports development. I mean sport training, competitions, support of their desire for
improvement and victory. The republic is experiencing a lack of good specialists, including coaching staff. Young people here are really gifted and talented, but this energy should be directed the right way. But I believe that our republic will turn out more champions, since we have such professional coaches as Ruslan Chapanov.
- In the beginning of this year Ruslan Chapanov was honoured with the "Order of Merit for Country". Was it hard to train under his guidance?
- First of all I'd like to say that boxing for me is not a routine job - this is what I really like to do. While being a non-professional boxer I really went through the mill, and all this time Ruslan Chapanov was supporting me and I am very grateful for this. I came into sport as a teenager and didn't stand out among other children. But I've tried to follow the training plan. Ruslan Chapanov paid a lot of attention to discipline and could be tough when someone was late. I have to say that a good coach is always a restless person and strong-willed personality. There were times when I wanted to quit
boxing, but belief in my coach stopped me from giving up sport. I've realized that enormous efforts are needed for great results.
- What were the brightest moments of your boxing career?
- My first victory, when I won the Russian Youth Competition, then Championship of Russia hosted by Yakutsk in 2007, and the Olympics of course. My rivals made me only stronger.
- Nowadays you live and train in Germany. Was it hard to get used to their lifestyle, Germans are well-known for their accuracy and pedantry?
- You know human beings get used to everything. Jokes aside, no doubt, it is really important to consider mentality, rules, language, culture, including traffic regulations. I like to drive and I admire the quality of the highways in Hamburg and throughout Germany. The more I learn German the more interesting life turns out to be, I make new friends. Daily two-hour lessons of German give good results. In the gym where I train I always hear the German language. I've been living there for only seven months, so everything is ahead.
- Do you like Hamburg?
- Hamburg is the largest industrial center, but at the same time is the greenest city in Germany. Nice streets alternate with gardens and alleys. There are lots of people jogging or riding bicycles, lots of older adults walking in the streets. What can I say, Germans are a healthy nation. They pay a lot of attention to sports.
- Do they like boxing?
- Sure, German audiences love boxing, including woman's boxing. They are real fans of the Klichko brothers, who started their career in the same club as I did, the"Universum Gym". They have established their own promotion company - K-2 East Promotions. And I have a contract with the promotion company Universum Box Promotion. A lot of prominent boxers have worked with this club, but there were only two Olympic Champions. I signed the contract three years ago and I will strive for success. The promoters Klaus-Peter Koll and the coaching staff headed by Mike Timm are well-known people in the world of boxing. Working with such a team promises a Champion's Belt in a couple of years.
- German specialists point out your readiness to carry out your liabilities without additional conditions.
- This is the result of hard years of a boxing career.
- Do boxers from the former USSR states train in your club?
- Many representatives of the post-Soviet countries exercise in this club. It's enough to mention such names as Ruslan Chagaev and Aleksander Alekseev.
- Who is your idol?
- My idol is Mike Tyson. The other boxer I admire is Kostya Dzu. He has a unique technique of fighting. Now he's working on opening his schools of professional boxing.
- What are you going to do after your boxing career?
- I haven't thought about it. Boxing is an unpredictable and hard sport. You always should keep in mind that you can be defeated and harm your health.
- When is your next fight scheduled?
- I do not have strong rivals in professional boxing yet. But I'm sure it's not for long. I need time to get a higher position in
the world rankings. The next fight will take place in Stuttgart on July 3rd. I will know the rival in two-three weeks prior to the match.
Interviewed by Pavel Tsoroev, Nazran. Exclusively for VK.
