Russia’s Boxers Undertake Striking Obligations
Today is the first day of European Senior Boxing Championships held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The number of participants is impressive – more than 250 boxers from 41 states will fight for the medals. The task of Russian boxers is to be the first in the team setoff, winning 11 medals in all weight categories.
The advantage of our boxers was undisputable at the similar championships held in Croatia two years ago, chief coach of Russia’s team Alexander Lebzyak reminded. Then, the boxers won nine medals.
“This time, neither the Federation nor I committed the boys to repeat that feat no matter what,” Lebzyak said, explaining that today’s team has many young, and therefore, not very experienced boxers. First of all, they have to amass experience at international competitions with the main target in mind – attaining the maximum success at Beijing Olympic Games. “Then, we will really require going all out completely.”
But as the Olympic champ and a man of ambitions, Lebzyak realizes that the fans want the usual number of medals. The question is of what value. Having evaded a direct answer, the coach hinted we could count on medals in all 11 weight categories, and therefore, on the first place in the team setoff.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of July 13, 2006
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