Tamerlan Nibo is the captain of the Krasnodar team. He is a gold and silver medalist at the Russian Championships, a European Cup winner, a European Championships runner-up, and a World Championships competitor. He has been in judo for 14 years.
The judoka spoke about the team's cohesion and laser-sharp focus, his readiness to step up and take responsibility for the squad at a decisive moment with the score tied at 13:13, and shared his ultimate Olympic dream.
Interviewer: Imagine that the second stage has already begun, you’re standing in your judogi, and only seconds remain before you step out. What is the final thought in your mind right before stepping onto the mat? Tamerlan Nibo: Right before stepping onto the mat, there’s only one thought in my head — to win decisively, leaving zero doubts, and to give it my absolute all so my coaches don’t have to worry unnecessarily. Interviewer: Who on your team is the main "energy generator" capable of lightening the mood with a joke, and who is the "iron wall" that stays completely calm? Tamerlan Nibo: I think the most active and energizing person on our team is Artur Petrosyan-Dzhigarkhanov. As for the role of the "iron wall," I probably take that one myself. Interviewer: What is your team’s mindset heading into the second stage? Tamerlan Nibo: The team is always completely focused and set strictly on gold! Interviewer: What result in the second stage would you personally consider a success? Tamerlan Nibo: The only successful result for me would be gold at this tournament. Interviewer: Picture this scenario: the overall match score is tied at 13:13, and a draw determines the weight category for the decisive bout. Who from your team would you send into that fight without hesitation? Tamerlan Nibo: In a situation like that, I’d prefer to step up and fight myself. Fighting on the mat is much easier than sitting in the stands and shouting advice: when your teammate is out there, you desperately want to step in and help him, but instead, all you can do is hope and believe. Interviewer: What helps you bounce back from defeats and keep pursuing the top? Tamerlan Nibo: Honestly, right after a loss, I need some time alone to quietly process everything. But overall, it's my family and loved ones who help me — regardless of the outcome, they are always by my side and find the right words of support. Interviewer: What is your biggest judo-related dream? Tamerlan Nibo: My biggest dream is to win Olympic gold. I think every judoka, ever since childhood, dreams of winning an Olympic gold medal.
