Rolando Montes: "It is very important for us to exchange experience with Uzbek boxing"
As we reported earlier, representatives of the Uzbekistan and Cuba national boxing teams are currently holding a joint training camp at the Yangiabad base in the Tashkent region. We asked a few questions to the head coach of the Cuban team Rolando Montes:
— How did the idea to hold a joint training camp in Uzbekistan come about?
— After the Tokyo Olympics, we discussed this issue in detail and made a final decision about a month ago. We have good relations with the national team of Uzbekistan. They had previously visited Cuba, but now we have paid a return visit. We plan to strengthen our ties in the future.
— The first sparring fights have already passed. How do you assess the potential of our boxers?
— All age categories of the national team of Uzbekistan have great potential. Undoubtedly, your guys are very strong, have talent and technique. The climate of Uzbekistan, fruits and food, which are rich in vitamins, are very important for athletes, give them strength.
— Our climate is a little different from Cuba, for example, it's cool now. Does it affect boxers?
- No, it doesn't. The gathering is organized at a professional level, there are no problems. The most important thing is that your boxers are very strong. It is very important for us to share our experience with your athletes.
— During your career, you have worked at the Olympic Games many times. What do you think is the difference between the Tokyo Olympics and the previous ones?
- Now the whole world is developing in all directions and boxing is no exception. All competitions held differ from each other, have a different character. In this Olympic cycle, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we were not able to prepare as we would like. In modern sports, to keep the peak of form, it is necessary to work on yourself and introduce innovations.
— In most cases, we see that Roniel Iglesias trains separately. Is there an individual program for him?
- No, it's his character. He's like that in himself. Roniel is the leader of our team. He has many years of experience and based on this, sometimes trains separately to prepare himself.
