Head of Bashkiria visited new wrestling hall

The Head of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov, and the President of the Russian Wrestling Federation, Olympic champion Mikhail Mamiashvili visited a new wrestling hall, which opened in Ufa on Oktyabrya Avenue, 2.

The total area of the wrestling and gym is 1000 square meters. Vice-President of the Wrestling Federation of Bashkortostan, Alexei Byatikov, said that the renovation of the premises took 2.5 months due to private investments from entrepreneurs who love this sport. They completely updated all engineering communications and equipment. 12 million rubles were allocated for the purchase of equipment and wrestling mats under the social order of the Ministry of Sports of Bashkortostan.

“For children, special ventilation with heating has been made for comfortable sports. During the renovation, special materials for modern sports halls were used. Here we laid 14 wrestling mats, 7 for freestyle wrestling and 7 for grappling. 100 children can train on them simultaneously, and 8 trainers will work with them, one of them being the legendary Jeff Monson. We have selected a severe coaching staff. There are conditions for future Olympic champions to train and grow here,” said Alexey Byatikov.

The Head of the republic inspected the locker rooms of young wrestlers, the training and wrestling halls, and talked with the Olympic champions in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, who arrived in Ufa for the opening of the Russian championship.

The Olympic champion in 2000, two-time world champion, and six-time European champion David Musulbes, on behalf of the wrestlers, thanked the Head of Bashkortostan for his close attention to the development of wrestling in the republic and presented Radiy Khabirov with gratitude from the Russian Union of Athletes for his contribution to the development of the Olympic movement, the sports industry, creation of sports infrastructure, promotion of the values of physical culture and sports and promotion of a healthy lifestyle.

The Head of the region invited Olympic champions and famous coaches to the opening of the Wrestling Palace in 2024.

“It will have three wrestling halls with 18 mats, a universal sports and concert hall where tournaments of any level can be held. There will be a medical block, a fitness center, and a hotel. I hope the Wrestling Federation of Russia will time the tournament for its opening. We are also actively developing the Wrestling in Schools program. Not all of the young wrestlers will become masters of sports and champions. The main thing is that they will get good skills and be physically strong,” said Radiy Khabirov.

The Head of the republic talked to the young wrestlers, wished them success and sports victories, and also wrote his wishes in the book of honored guests of the new wrestling center.

“We can say that today an Olympic star landing party landed in Ufa, and great athletes came to us. It's great that young wrestlers have the opportunity to communicate with them. Tomorrow four Olympic champions will give master classes to our boys. An important point I would especially like to emphasize is that it was decided that in this center, children will be able to engage in wrestling free of charge. We will continue to open such centers so that our children go in for sports,” Radiy Khabirov emphasized.

Author: Azat Gizzatullin