As Azerbaijan prepares to host the 3rd CIS Games from September 28 to October 8, the national youth taekwondo team is actively training for the upcoming competition.
The head coach of the team, Elnur Amanov, spoke about the work done, upcoming plans, and his expectations for the tournament
We began forming the team after the national championship. Based on the results, the winners and silver medalists were invited to join the team. That’s how we started preparing for the CIS Games.
The team has completed the first stage of training, during which we focused on physical conditioning. After that, the athletes were given a short break before resuming their training. The Federation has provided all the necessary conditions for us. Ahead, we still have two more intensive training camps.
As part of our preparation, we plan to participate in an international tournament in Kazakhstan. This event will give us the chance to assess our current level and make final adjustments. Once we return, the team will begin the final stage of preparation, 20 days before the start of the Games. A few days before the competition begins, the team will travel to Mingachevir, where the taekwondo events will be held.
I believe the team has very high potential. The under-21 category is such that it can include members of the senior national team. The World Taekwondo Federation organizes tournaments in this age group to ensure young athletes stay in competitive form and transition smoothly from junior to senior level.
As the host country, Azerbaijan will be represented by two teams, with a total of 28 athletes competing. They’ll be up against strong competition from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan — nations widely regarded as leaders in international taekwondo.
Despite the high level of competition, the Azerbaijani team is aiming for a strong performance. For these young athletes, participating in such a major international event is both an invaluable experience and a great source of motivation. And competing at home is a major advantage. The host status gives us a boost, and the team will do its best to seize this opportunity and make the fans proud,” he said.
