THE Dauren Kurugliev, two-time European champion in wrestling, received Greek citizenship and will now compete in the pre-Olympic tournaments with the aim of qualifying for Paris 2024 and the gold medal at the Olympic Games. The athlete born in Dagestan, Russia gave his first interview since the day he got Greek citizenship to the Athenian Macedonian News Agency and thanked everyone who helped him to be able to pursue his dream.
He explained the reasons he preferred Greece, revealed about his key visit to Ancient Olympia and why he felt our country closer to his heart! He thanked, among others, the President of the Republic, Mrs. Aikaterini Sakellaropoulou, the Prime Minister, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Minister of the Interior, Mrs. Niki Kerameos, as well as the Deputy Minister of Sports, Mr. Yiannis Vroutsis.
Dauren Kurugliev, who was born in Russia and has already won two gold medals in the European championship with Greece, closed by sending everyone a promise: “I will make you all proud”
In detail, the interview of Dauren Kurougliev in APE – MEP
Dauren, you were naturalized Greek and received citizenship, what does that mean for you?
“I am very pleased, very happy. I will never forget those who helped me. It was an important day for me and I would like to thank everyone. I hope with my victories I can make them all proud. Everyone did their job, I got the Greek citizenship and now I’m getting… a job!”.
Are you now thinking about your big goal which is Paris 2024?
“I sleep and wake up and Paris is on my mind. I don’t think about anything else but the Olympics. I want to win the gold medal! But first of all, I have to qualify for the pre-Olympic tournaments.”
We know you had a minor knee injury in the European championship final. Will you participate in the Panhellenic championship this weekend?
“I’m waiting for the answers from the doctor. If I am well, then I will be very happy to compete. I sincerely want to thank the Greek fans who show me their support and I hope to be able to compete for the second year in a row in the Panhellenic Men’s Championship”.
2024 started with a gold medal at the Paris Grand Prix. Do you think this is an omen for the Olympics?
“The year started with gold in Paris and I hope it continues like this. A match is always unpredictable. God only knows what might happen. I have in mind the gold medal at the Olympic Games and for that I will work hard.”
You are an athlete who has had many offers from other countries to compete. Why did you choose Greece?
“Greece is connected to the Olympic Games, which is the goal of every athlete. Since I couldn’t compete in my hometown, I preferred Greece. Indeed, I had many proposals, from other countries, but I wanted to compete for Greece. I had participated two years in the international Olympia tournament in Ancient Olympia and had visited the museum, the stadium and the ancient palaestra. After that I was impressed and loved the country. Greece is a heritage of World culture. It is an honor to compete for Greece. I will not hide from you, however, that I have been very impressed by the beauty, the landscapes of the country, the islands and especially Santorini, and I am glad that I am now a part of this country. I felt that Greece is closer to my beliefs and I felt it closer to my heart.”
Greek Wrestling has a ticket to the Olympic Games with Giorgos Kougioumtsidis and has good hopes for other qualifiers. What do you think about the Olympics?
“The Olympic Games are not just a championship. No one can say whether an athlete will take the gold. This has to do with whether they are in good shape, physically and mentally, that day. There are many details that go into winning and because these games are held every four years, the stress is greater for all athletes. Greek athletes have talent and can stand out. I hope we get a lot of qualifications and fight together with my teammates in Paris for the best!”
Who would you like to thank for the fact that you got Greek citizenship?
“I would like to thank the president of the Greek Republic, Ms. Aikaterini Sakellaropoulou, the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who I know personally dealt with my case. I also wanted to thank the Minister of the Interior, Ms. Niki Kerameos, the Deputy Minister of Sports, Mr. Yannis Vroutsis, the Secretary General of Citizenship, Mr. Angelos Dimosthenous, as well as the representative of Wrestling at the EOE, Mr. Konstantinos Fili. I especially want to thank the Greek Wrestling Federation and all the people who believed in me and helped me get Greek citizenship. I have a message to send. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart and I will make you proud.”
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
