Boltaboev’s career achievements include 11 World Judo Tour medals, 3 continental medals and two Olympic 7th places, a proponent of exciting, entertaining judo. If he has really retired, he will be missed. The best person to ask is Sharofiddin Boltaboev.
“After the Olympics in Paris I started work as a coach with the Uzbek juniors. It wasn’t planned, it had not even been proposed before that point. I sustained an injury just ten days before the Games and I knew it was serious but I chose to compete. It wasn’t as it should have been and I was unable, with medical advice, to continue beyond Paris and so the federation invited me to stay on but as a coach with the junior team. We are a team of 4 in the coaching staff for this team, a head coach and three more of us.
I have only just begun; it’s the first event for me in this role. The team took four medals in the individual competition and I think I came with a good spirit. I bring positive motivation to the young judoka. Maybe I also have a lot of experience with tactical strategy and how you must compete at the international level. I give this to them."
"Before this championship, I was working with the team in the final preparation period. I was nervous after the Games because I came straight to work and it was all very new. There was a lot to manage but the federation gave me a lot of support to make this transition smooth. I’m happy to be able to enjoy these opportunities.
Without judo, I cannot live. At first I wanted to leave after the Games but I realised with this invitation that it was impossible to do that, to leave altogether. I was dissatisfied was myself in Paris, disappointed with my performance and result but now I am happy to be here and my judo life continues, as it must.”
Sharofiddin Boltaboev is still here, something the judo family is happy to see!