Akhmed Ozdoev: “The Battle of the Cities is, first of all, unity”

Tomorrow, April 9, Stavropol officially takes over the baton of the international tournament “Battle of the Cities 2026”. While the participants of the Caucasian division are undergoing final preparations, we decided to remember the triumph of last season. We talked with Akhmed Ozdoev, whose experience as part of the Nazran team became a vivid example of how team spirit helps to reach the top.

Interviewer: Good evening, Akhmed Bashirovich! Tell us, how many years have you been practicing judo and what successes have you already achieved?

Akhmed Ozdoev: I have been in judo for 10 years. During this time I participated in many different international starts. Among the significant achievements are 1st place in the North Caucasian Federal District Championship under 18 years old and 5th place in the Russian Championship under 21 years old.

Interviewer: How did participation in the “Battle of the Cities” influence your further development in judo? Did this team experience help you in your personal starts?

Akhmed Ozdoev: Participation in the “Battle of the Cities” gave me team experience, which turned out to be useful in personal competitions, as it taught me to work in a team and support each other.

Interviewer: Nazran set a very high bar at the qualifying stage last year - what, in your opinion, was the key to that victorious cohesion and how difficult will it be for the new squad to defend this status as leaders this season?

Akhmed Ozdoev: The key to Nazran’s victorious cohesion is strong team support.

Interviewer: Will you follow your team’s performance on April 9 in Stavropol (watch the same broadcasts)? What feelings are you experiencing now - relief that you don’t have to lift weights, or slight sadness that you are not on the tatami of this tournament?

Akhmed Ozdoev: I will follow the team’s performance in Stavropol, I’m happy for the team. I'm a little sad that I won't be able to participate.

Interviewer: Many people say that the qualifying stage is the most difficult psychologically, because it opens the season. Do you agree with this after going through it?

Akhmed Ozdoev: I agree, the qualifying stage is psychologically difficult.

Interviewer: Does it happen that during a team tournament, personal ambitions fade into the background? Is it difficult to admit that the overall victory is more important than your personal result in a particular meeting?

Akhmed Ozdoev: Yes, during team tournaments personal ambitions often fade into the background. It's a tough decision, but a team victory is more important.

Interviewer: If you had to describe the character of the Nazran team in three words, which ones would you choose?

Akhmed Ozdoev: The character of the Nazran team can be described as: strong, united, purposeful.

Interviewer: Share your “secret trick” of attitude. What helped you personally not to burn out before the Hajime team?

Akhmed Ozdoev: My secret trick is the team spirit and support of my comrades, which helps to avoid burnout.

Interviewer: What does “Battle of the Cities” mean to you in one word?

Akhmed Ozdoev: Unity.

Interviewer: What do you remember most from the “Battle of the Cities” project, what memory stuck in your head?

Akhmed Ozdoev: I remember how we supported each other in difficult moments and rejoiced in victories.

Interviewer: What is your wish to all participants in the qualifying stage in Stavropol 2026?

Akhmed Ozdoev: My wish to all participants is to show their best and enjoy the competition. And the main thing is to win the title “Mr. Ippon”!