The other day in the Sporting arena passed the open national championship devoted to the 40 anniversary of the Latvian federation of judo. Still in far the 1973rd held the first championship of the republic on this sport, now one of the most mass and popular in the country. Much water has flowed under the bridges since then...

But what future waits for our wrestlers? The head of the Latvian federation of judo Raymond Rublovsky also told about it (on a photo).

"Today, when the federation marks the 40 anniversary, many recall the first judo championship of the republic which took place in a hall on Akas Street — Raymond Rublovsky speaks. — The championship though was on judo, but was carried out "on basis" by sambo which then actively practised across all USSR. But sambo wasn't, unlike judo, the Olympic sport. Here therefore decided that sambo wrestlers as though train for a new profession in judoists, and it to them was actually not so difficult. And whereas time created in the republic the federation of judo … By the way, on present anniversary tournament among the guests of honor and judges there are those who were winners in that first championship.

— You remember it?

— I then still was absolutely young man – even in school didn't walk. Also I opened for myself judo only some years later – in the late seventies. But also now it is possible to claim already: in Latvia for these years the strong school of judo was created! In our republic brought up the whole pleiad of excellent wrestlers: Alexander Yatskevich, Vsevolod Zeleny, Igor Konstantinov, Vadim Voynov. They, as well as many others, passed very serious selection in the same USSR to appear not only on superiority of the Union, but also in the World Cups, and then and on the Olympic Games. Latvia after all absolutely small country, but our judoists make the serious competition in the international championships to commands of the largest powers. And only for the last five years Latvia won four medals in the European championships is among adult wrestlers that, you see, a good index.

 — Whether much in Latvia now judoists trains?

— Our federation includes 27 clubs. And in this anniversary championship almost all exposed good wrestlers. I personally initially laid hopes on it: to look, our athletes, for example, for involvement in future World Cup and, at last, in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro which will pass in 2016 are how trained. And perspectives, believe, at our athletes very quite good that will prove already qualifying tournaments which shall begin in new year. It would be desirable that the big command participated in the Olympic Games from Latvia, in an ideal – on one wrestler in each weight category.

— There is a chance, what judo will include in a school education program?

— Here is how time in order that in the country there were more good wrestlers, we and intend to make every effort with adherents: let judo will include in the school program, and in it could be engaged at physical education classes. We cooperate with our Ministry of Education and Science and we remind: in a pattern more and more the countries include judo in the all-school program of preparation. And it is correct!

Vladimir IVANOV