Training in a War Zone: An Interview with Parviz Nasibov
In an interview with the publication Glavkom, two-time Olympic medalist Parviz Nasibov detailed the extreme challenges of training during wartime. As a direct consequence of these harsh conditions, Ukraine's national wrestling team has finalized a roster of 30 athletes for the 2026 European Championships, scheduled to be held in Tirana.
Nasibov noted that his fellow wrestlers from other countries often inquire about the situation in Ukraine and how training is managed under such difficult circumstances.
"Many ask about how we prepare under these complex conditions. For most, it's still shocking that a horror like war is possible in the 21st century, and that athletes have to interrupt training to hide in basements during air raids," he said.He emphasized, however, that Ukrainian athletes have grown accustomed to this reality.
"And no one complains about the conditions. Everyone understands there are people who have it much harder than us, who are fighting and risking their lives every day. For that, we are all endlessly grateful to them," Nasibov added.
Ukraine's Roster for the European Championships
The Ukrainian team will be represented by 30 wrestlers at the European Championships, with 10 athletes competing in men's freestyle, 10 in women's wrestling, and a further 10 in Greco-Roman wrestling. The team composition is as follows:
- Men's Freestyle:
- Roman Hutsuliak (57 kg)
- Kamil Kerimov (61 kg)
- Mykyta Honcharov (65 kg)
- Oleksii Boruta (70 kg)
- Ihor Nykyforuk (74 kg)
- Vasyl Mykhailov (79 kg)
- Oleksandr Mamrosh (86 kg)
- Mukhammad Aliev (92 kg)
- Denys Sahaliuk (97 kg)
- Volodymyr Kochanov (125 kg)
- Women's Wrestling:
- Oksana Livach (50 kg)
- Mariia Yefremova (53 kg)
- Liliia Malanchuk (55 kg)
- Solomiia Vynnyk (57 kg)
- Mariia Vynnyk (59 kg)
- Ilona Prokopevniuk (62 kg)
- Iryna Koliadenko (65 kg)
- Manola Skobelska (68 kg)
- Nadiia Sokolovska (72 kg)
- Anastasiia Alpeeva (76 kg)
- Greco-Roman:
- Ivan Stefanskyi (55 kg)
- Vladyslav Kuzko (60 kg)
- Maksym Liu (63 kg)
- Oleksandr Hrushyn (67 kg)
- Dmytro Vasyliev (72 kg)
- Irfan Mirzoev (77 kg)
- Ruslan Abdiev (82 kg)
- Yaroslav Filchakov (87 kg)
- Vladlen Kozliuk (97 kg)
- Mykhailo Vyshnyvetskyi (130 kg)
Nasibov also highlighted the psychological toll of the war.
"Of course, it distracts from work, and you worry not so much for yourself as for your loved ones. Perhaps wrestlers from Russia and Belarus cannot understand what it's like to lose sleep at night because of shelling," he stressed.Despite all difficulties, Ukrainian athletes continue to fight and show high-level results. "Not long ago, at a tournament in Bulgaria, we defeated Belarusians and proved that despite the war, we are capable of maintaining our class," the Olympic medalist concluded.
This story underscores not only the athletic achievements of Ukrainian wrestlers but also the severe environment in which they train and compete. The war has impacted every facet of life in Ukraine, yet these athletes demonstrate remarkable resilience and determination. The European Championships in Tirana will be a crucial platform for them to represent their nation internationally, showcasing their strength in the face of daily adversity.
As the Ukrainian wrestling team prepares for the upcoming European Championships, the situation remains dynamic, especially for athletes like Parviz Nasibov, who recently announced his absence from the event. His shift in focus highlights the ongoing challenges faced by wrestlers in Ukraine. To learn more about his decision and the impact it may have on the team, read about Nasibov's changed plans.