Pure Gold by Governor Lebed

Mother Russia managed to impress everybody by awarding the winners of the Junior World Championship in sumo with medals, made of pure gold; one of them fell to a representative of the Ukrainian team. The Day asked the first deputy president of the Ukrainian Federation of sumo Oleksandr Naukhatko to tell about this extraordinary event:

How could this happen?

To tell the truth, everybody was shocked at the beginning, but then after short consideration, they all went after the gold. Yes, this move by General Lieutenant Oleksandr Lebed gave a special taste to the competition.

Did you check on the medals?

I can tell you for sure that the champion's medal weighs 28 grams and the coach's - 43 grams.

Isn't that too much, especially for juniors?

The right to prepare medals belongs to competition organizers. Perhaps it is their tradition.

I know that the Ukrainian team a had hard time winning the gold medal.

I would say it was not easy at all. In the final fight (100kg weight class) Valentyn Chechet of Dnipropetrovsk carried out a clean throw and two referees announced him the winner. But the senior referee, probably trying to make it up to the hosts, canceled their decision. We had to deposit $400, file a protest and call up the discipline commission. After watching the videotape of the fight, commission members gave the victory back to Chechet and his coaches.

And each of them received their medals?

No, since we had to wait for the final decision, the gold medals will be awarded to two rightful owners by FIAF president Mykhailo Tykhomyrov in October in Kyiv for the 60th anniversary of sumo.

This was not the only medal your students received in the tournament, was it?

We also brought home 5 bronze medals.

How did Krasnoyarsk oblast and its governor Lebed in particular encounter the wrestlers?

30 teams were to participate in the tournament, but only 18 checked in. The rest excused their absence with the difficult economic situation in Russia. Despite that, over 100 wrestlers took part in the tournament. And the Palace of Sports Enisey was full of fans. As to the encounter, Lebed said that even if rocks start falling from the sky, Krasnoyarsk would conduct the championship at the highest level. He also noted that everywhere except the wrestling platform, the guests would be met with hospitality.

And how do you evaluate the achievements of the Ukrainian junior team in the tournament?

I was happy when last year the Ukrainian girls defeated the Russian national team in the tournament held in Shaulai. Now when they beat us, I think the achievements are fine.

There will be a friendly tournament between Russian and World teams at the celebration of the 60th anniversary of sumo. You were appointed the head coach of the world team.

Yes, this due, paid to the authority of the Ukrainian sumo school, is a great honor for me.