WRESTLING – Bahrain's freshly crowned Olympic champion Akhmed Tazhudinov has revealed that he competed in Paris 2024 with a shoulder injury that now requires him to have season-ending surgery.
In an exclusive interview with the GDN, Tazhudinov said that he needs to undergo an operation and a few months’ recovery.
The 21-year-old wrestler, who is also his weight class’ reigning world champion, flew to Switzerland late on Monday night accompanied by Bahrain officials to have the necessary procedure, which will shut him down for the remainder of an undefeated year.
“I injured my shoulder during my preparations for the Olympics,” Tazhudinov told the GDN through an interpreter. “I need some surgery and rehab. For the remainder of this year, I will take a break and start the 2025 season with new energy, inshaallah.”
More details of his surgery and recuperation will be known in due course, according to the Bahrain Wrestling Federation.
Having competed hurt makes his historic campaign at the French capital even more remarkable. “It was my first Olympics and the atmosphere was amazing; it was my dream to be there,” said Tazhudinov, who had the honour of carrying the kingdom’s flag in the Paris 2024 closing ceremony.
His road to the gold was not an easy one. Competing in the men’s 97kg category of freestyle wrestling, Tazhudinov needed to face some of the biggest names in his weight division, including Rio 2016 champion and Tokyo 2021 silver-medallist Kyle Snyder of the US, who is also a three-time world champion, in the semi-finals.
Prior to that, Tazhudinov had to survive an early scare in his medal bid, having won his opening match against two-time under-23 world champion Amirali Azarpira of Iran in the last 30 seconds. The Bahraini fell behind 0-2 in the first period and then 0-3 with just 90 seconds to go in the second, but then made a huge comeback with two takedowns in the concluding half-a-minute to come away with the last-gasp win.
“He is, in my opinion, one of the best wrestlers in my division,” Tazhudinov said of Azarpira. “He is not famous like others, but he is very tough and I’m happy that I could win against him.”
Tazhudinov was then in his usual dominant form in his quarter-final against Alisher Yergali of Kazakhstan, winning by technical superiority to set up an exciting clash with Snyder, whom he also defeated en route to securing his maiden world title last year in Belgrade, Serbia. Snyder put up a tough fight, but Tazhudinov prevailed in an exciting 6-4 victory.
But his best was yet to come, and in the final, Tazhudinov entered Olympic immortality and claimed his gold with a devastating win against two-time world-medallist Givi Matcharashvili of Georgia. Tazhudinov took the match in just 90 seconds, countering a throw attempt by his rival and then pinning him flat on the mat.
Tazhudinov was declared the victor and he raised his arms as his legendary coach Shamil Omarov ran to him in celebration. Matcharashvili was visibly shocked and stayed kneeling motionless for several moments.
“My opponent risked it because this move is 50-50,” Tazhudinov explained. “You can win four points and have a big advantage, or you lose in a bad and dangerous position, and this is what happened to him.”
His victory in Paris had the wrestling world in awe and, despite his very young age, he has reached the pinnacle at every level of the sport, with his Olympic and world championship gold medals adding to his back-to-back Asian titles and Hangzhou Asian Games crown.
Despite this, Tazhudinov remains humble.
“I try not to think about it,” he said about the praise he has received from his peers and pundits alike. “I don’t want to call myself a star. I’m 21 and I have a lot of work ahead.
“All these medals, I won in two years, and my life changed a lot. Now I must train even more to defend my title of best wrestler in the world.
“I have a good coach and team, and everything is possible with them.”
Tazhudinov shares that it is his strong relationship with his family that helps keep him motivated. “My parents worked hard to make sure that I can train properly and travel to camps and competitions since I was a school boy,” he said. “Every time I make them smile, I feel motivated.”
Tazhudinov has been overwhelmed by the incredible reception he has received since Team Bahrain’s return from France.
“His Majesty the King received us in the palace; this is the highest level of appreciation,” he said. “Thanks to everyone who is supporting me in this journey, especially His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. I will try to bring to Bahrain a minimum of three Olympic medals, inshaallah.”
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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