Andrey, the problem in the fashion industry, you are faced at the Olympic qualifying tournament in London, which took place in mid-March. The competition then just broke. What did you feel at that moment?
Andrew Castle: Disappointment. When prepared, did not think that the situation will so develop and become so serious. I arrived, spent one fight, and then found out that tomorrow the competition will be terminated and let us all go home. Upset. Was done large amount of work. Preparation, it turns out, was in vain. Failed throw out the accumulated power that it does not stagnate.
But now everything goes to the fact that the results that some fighters still managed to show in London, will be canceled. In the championship of Russia planned for November-December of 2020, we will fight to determine the new composition in the qualifying tournament.
After returning from London began to appear bad news: the coronavirus found in athletes from Turkey and Croatia, the coach of our team. So you sat on the quarantine?
Andrew Castle: Sorry, that sick people of our organization. We knew that was going to begin testing, isolation for those who had contact with him. Although the team were quarantined for two weeks, as expected. I’m still at home are. And train at home. On the street there is a sports area: horizontal bar, parallel bars. The water can be to work out there. But in Kislovodsk residents follow a strict regime. On the street no one in sight. So train in the apartment constant communication with his personal trainer.
What exercises to do? Boxers for warm-up jump rope. But the neighbors just do not understand, right?
Andrew Castle: Yes, the rope fails to work. While doing exercise: dumbbells, shadow Boxing, pushups, squats. Some aerobic exercises do, but again, without jumping, so as not to disturb the neighbors. Now efforts are focused on the school of Boxing.
on Instagram you have a cool photo of the little boy in Boxing gloves. Think about the continuation of a sports dynasty?
Andrew Castle: my father too was engaged in Boxing. But I found out that when I went into the hall. He is my brother and never sent the box. He gave us the power of choice. I been involved in Sambo, and even athletics. I once was invited to watch, I liked them. Said, let him come to training. But I didn’t want to. Honestly, to run-jump I was bored. So I’m not going to come, that the son was engaged in Boxing. Suddenly it’s not him. Of course, I would like to connect his life with sport. But what would it be, to choose him. And who knows, maybe genes work.
You are a very skilled athlete, passed a large Poobe in the sport…
Andrew Castle: Yes, but the dream of Olympic gold had not been realized. Are expected to return from London with the license. But it did not, does not depend on us situation. I hope to qualify and win at the Games in Tokyo.
you had two attempts. In London took bronze in Rio before the medals arrived and were about to leave the ring. Why?
Andrew Castle: Immediately come to mind the words of his wife. When I was going to quit, she said it is not time yet to leave, at least not. My coach Gennady Ryzhikov, too, was asked to stay one more Olympics. I then asked, do we have any chance. He said there was. I listened to it and decided to stay. And I am grateful to my wife and coach for having supported and helped to make the right decision.
Your first coach, whom he succeeded, was Felix Gelus. He passed away in 2015. But you were fortunate to find another mentor, Gennady Ryzhikov.
Andrew Castle: Gennady Mikhailovich first saw at the training camp in Kislovodsk. His clients went to the competition, saw how they progressed. In 2013 or 2014, I wrote a letter to the Federation of Boxing to be my second coach was appointed Ryzhikov. Since then he us with Felix Konstantinovich something told, advised, although training does not fit. When there was the coach, I asked Ryzhikov to prepare me to be a semi-competition version of the APB (Association of professional Boxing). I then just took a license in Rio. But at the last stage of preparation, right in the beginning, I was very injured. I had a muscle tear and injury to the joint. All on one shoulder. I even the hand could not lift. So we asked to have me replaced. There was another boxer in my weight with the license. But the list of participants has already been stated. That is either made by me or the team would be the empty weight.
In the beginning you were skeptical about the transition from the Amateurs to the pros. You already tried that somewhere in the semi-professional League. What do you say now?
Andrew Castle: Yes, I have always said that in any case do not want professionals. But when they meet in two semi-professional versions, the situation began to change. However, in the world series of Boxing (WSB) I had a bad experience: two fights, two losses. And APB – six fights, four wins, won the Olympic ticket. We held training courses, advice on diet, told how professionals are preparing for battle. I tried this technique to work. Convinced that Amateur and professional Boxing are two different sports. But I liked it. So, I think: do I want to try myself as a professional.
Not too late to try something new? All thatKi, you have a solid sportsman age is 32 years.
Andrew Castle: of Course, mostly foreigners, and Russian go Pro in 18 years: he tried himself in the Amateurs, did not work, switched to the professional ring. On the one hand, this is correct. But with one caveat: if there is additional support. For example, in my case, Boxing is a job. When you need to earn to support a family, how to go Pro with 18 years? Because you need to work on your name on the contract. This can be very lengthy. A lot of work to endure, to overcome all this. Read, for example, an interview with Sergei Kovalev. When he went to America, lived in the gym, eating hamburgers for Breakfast, lunch and dinner, because the money for normal food was not. And fast food is the cheapest and affordable food in the United States. But it all turned out. Well done. Champ.
Want more attention, popularity? After all, the professionals that go on the top level is more established.
Andrew Castle: will Agree that Amateur Boxing is undervalued. Although, if you dig deeply enough, we have a Pro, a lot depends on contracts, on who represents you, who you advertise and promote. And for me it is important that relatives, friends proud of me. That’s enough for me. Professional Boxing very much, it’s a spectator sport, it is much harder Amateur. People need sweat and blood.
But you are too bloody fight?
Andrew Castle: Still. As the lovers took off his helmet, thus began the dissection of the face – the brow, under the eye. On emotions the same box, not sparing himself, to prove that the best. Sometimes, until you get to the final, you have three cleavers, all sealed. In the final, everything is revealed, flows from the two eyes: Mike blood, blood on his hands, the opponent is covered in blood.
And knockouts we have are spectacular. At the world championship 2019 in the first battle knocked out his opponent, the Belgian Nabil Messaoudi, in just 55 seconds. Fell, broke his nose.
Drama you have in your career, and without enough blood. On this very world championship in Ekaterinburg you won your first gold.
Andrew Castle: the Feeling was incredible. I was in the day after the finale I couldn’t sleep till 3-4 am. Like with all family, friends talked, but the adrenaline is still in me was boiling. Words cannot Express how I was glad. Indeed, in 2009, when I went the first time at the world Cup, a gold medal from me, you can say, away.
This win surely gave strength, including in the struggle for Olympic gold?
Andrew Castle: the world Cup really helped. And the Federation was rewarded for the victory, and confidence increased. This success inspired the people to new victories.
