In Rio de Janeiro, he won in the weight category up to 75 kilograms, deservedly extending the powers of the world leader for another four years, entering a small cohort of two-time Olympic champions.

The bitterness of sunny Tashkent

And two years ago, in mid-September 2014, Roman's mood was worse than ever. The national team flew away from Tashkent, from the World Cup, and the team captain at the airport looked like black clouds. As well as a little earlier in the tournament hall, a person who got used to and accustomed everyone to victories did not want to communicate with the press at all. And what is there to say? Roman does not like to look for excuses, he is used to correcting mistakes with deeds ...

Then the main start of the year was lost, and lost on business - at the end of the second round meeting with the American Andrew Bisek, the Russian simply “got up”. “Roma ran out of oxygen in the second period,” the legendary “San Sanych” said in frustration then, as everyone calls the legendary in the wrestling environment.

2014 was the most unfortunate year in a wrestler's career. Three defeats in the most important tournaments - in the finals of the Ivan Poddubny memorial and the Russian championship, at the world championship.

Someone could well quickly put an end to Vlasov's future prospects. And there were reasons - and at the previous World Championships, in 2013 in Budapest, the Russian did not confirm the title of the strongest wrestler in the world. He became the second, losing in the finals also to the Olympic champion of London, but in the weight category up to 66 kg to the Korean Kim Hyun-woo. Immediately after the 2012 Games, the Asian moved to the "Vlasov weight" and immediately decided to show "who is the boss." And he skillfully did it, relegating Vlasov to secondary roles.

And it is no coincidence that after the Sunday victory in Rio de Janeiro, the Russian noted, referring to all those failures: “This cycle was very difficult for me: I had to go through serious trials - both through injuries and through losses. But every day I was devoted to his sport and did everything to train competently."

bright beacon light

We can say that "San Sanych" played a big role in the formation of Roman, and thereby confirm the common truth. But I would change the usual angle a little - in my opinion, Karelin is a kind of beacon, whose attractive and powerful light calibrates life path Vlasov along the only correct fairway.

From an early age, the athlete admitted more than once that in gym he looked exactly like Karelin, fortunately, who had not yet completed his career as a wrestler. “I was very stimulated that I would come to the gym and meet Alexander Alexandrovich. I always set a goal to be a little like him, I wanted to get closer to his victories, to what he achieved,” the athlete emphasized. And Vlasov devoted his gold of the Brazilian sample to the world legend, noting: "Alexander Alexandrovich has always been an example for me, and I am very grateful to him."

By the way, then, two years ago, Karelin told me: “In no case are we going to remove Roma from the run. Now Roman will cool down a bit, and with a cold head we will discuss everything with him and Viktor Mikhailovich.”

Fate chooses the strong

Viktor Mikhailovich, by the way, is Kuznetsov, who raised another famous Novosibirsk native Karelin and brought him (three times) to the top of Olympus. And for almost a decade and a half he has been working with Vlasov. A wise, humble and patient coach who, with his student, has experienced both ups and downs to the stars and falls from heaven. Kuznetsov was not in Rio de Janeiro, but the teacher and student understand each other from a distance. And after the victory, Roman admitted: “I am very glad that I was able to please the great coach and I am grateful to fate that I ended up in the Kuznetsov school. What he did for me is an amazing case.”

By the way, on December 14, Viktor Mikhailovich will turn 75 years old. And it seems to me that the future hero of the day is not at all opposed to the fact that he received the most important gift in advance, a few months before his birthday.

native blood

Roman came to the sports section at the age of six, following the example of his brother. Artem is two years older, he also went in for wrestling and reached the level of a master of sports. Another thing is important - when, due to circumstances, my mother left for Bulgaria, it was Artem who took care of Roman. And for all that Vlasov achieved, he owes it to his older brother, who went with him and pulled out all the most difficult minutes, days and months.

The elder brother was nearby both in London and in Rio de Janeiro, and it is hardly possible to find a person who, in the moments of his brother's triumph, was happier.

Through blood and tears

The path of Roman Vlasov to the top of the Olympic podium in Rio de Janeiro is quite worthy of a film adaptation in Hollywood. Thanks to the dramaturgy, rare in intensity and plot twists.

Nervous victory with a difference of one point in the first bout over the same Kim Hyun-woo, after which the Korean's coaches in despair did not leave the mat for a long time. Habitually bloodied eyebrow in a duel with a stubborn and stubborn Chinese. Loss of consciousness in the semi-final meeting with a Croatian wrestler who used a choke hold from the arsenal of martial arts.

“I lost consciousness and turned off - I had never had this before,” the athlete shared the details of what had happened. “And then I woke up and realized that I had to fight on. It’s good that they let me finish the fight - although according to the rules I won it earlier.”

And in the end, a decisive meeting with the Dane Mark Madsen, who was burning with the desire to take revenge for the defeat in the 2015 World Cup final and, in the heat of excitement, was ready to sweep away everything on the way to victory. “I don’t know how I could stand and win,” Roman admitted. “And when I stood on a pedestal and listened Russian anthem, a lump to the throat rolled up. And I wanted to cry with happiness, but I didn’t have the strength anymore - I left all my strength on the carpet.

Heir of the Winners

Vlasov retained the title of Olympic champion for another four years. And that means that now Roman will be even more tasty prey for everyone who will go against him on the carpet. Defeating a two-time Olympic champion - what could be sweeter?

I am sure that Roman himself understands this best of all. A modest, well-mannered, restrained and hardworking guy. Knowing the price of what he has achieved - and thanks to whose support. Whose name, I am sure, will never get on the pages of the tabloid chronicle - the ever-memorable champagne in Monaco for him is something from a parallel universe.

Knowing well - no matter how hard it is, he cannot let down those behind him. Strong people of the great Soviet school. And Vlasov is the heir to the famous team of winners. Direct heir. Choosing the shortest path to victory.

The story of Roman Vlasov, who lost consciousness, but became an Olympic champion

When wrestler Roman Vlasov fell ill with a sore throat 10 years ago, he had to borrow money for medicine from neighbors. Today Vlasov lost consciousness, but became an Olympic champion. "Match TV" is about the hero of the day, who dedicated his victory at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro to Alexander Karelin. Roman Vlasov on the air "All for the Match" - on Monday at 14:30.

Brother 2

Vlasov brought to the wrestling section native brother Artem. Six-year-old Roma, as befits a child, had more fun in training, but at the same time he quickly realized that you need to win in the fight. And soon learned to do it.

Artem will achieve serious results in the fight and later leave the sport due to health problems. He will become one of the main actors in my brother's career. Roman then admits that Artem and his wife largely replaced his parents: the athlete grew up without a father, and his mother left Novosibirsk for Bulgaria when he was 17.

Mom was a history teacher and worked two more jobs to support her two children. In an interview with Novosibirsk News, Vlasov told how in 2006, before the Russian Championship, he had a sore throat, and the family had no money for pills. Mom borrowed 500 rubles from neighbors, bought antibiotics - and Roman became the champion of the country.

Karelin

At the age of six, Roman ended up on the carpet on which Alexander Karelin trained before going to the fourth Olympics. You know how it ended. Roma honestly admits that he cried after the Karelin-Gardner fight: "The whole country was crying."

“I was stimulated and motivated that in the hall I would meet with Alexander Alexandrovich. I always set myself the goal of being a little like him, ”Vlasov will tell after the final.

The scale of Karelin's personality has long been known. The scale of Karelin-man can be estimated from their joint old photograph with Vlasov.

Yes, and the new one too.

“Today Karelin and I did not see each other. He came to the training camp, told me to remember that I represent the Kuznetsov school, the strongest team - the Russian team. He promised that he would cheer for me.

I dedicate this victory to Alexander Alexandrovich. Thanks to him, I became a champion. I wanted to get closer to Karelin's victories, but Alexander Alexandrovich's record is probably impossible to beat - he did the most in sports. Until today, I really wanted to become a two-time Olympic champion. It worked out, but I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, ”the Match TV correspondent reports Vlasov’s words.

Army

Photo: © RIA Novosti / Maya Shelkovnikova

After the victory in London, Roman went into the army. Of course, on conditions that allow you to combine service with training. The athlete nevertheless spent some time in the barracks. Vlasov admits that this is how his first boxing sparring happened, where he also learned to shoot, assemble and disassemble weapons. These sciences submitted worse than Greco-Roman wrestling. In 2015, having remained to serve in the special forces under a contract, Vlasov received the rank of lieutenant.

"Military service - good time I remember him fondly. I think it went to my advantage: I switched, met with interesting people. Thankful internal troops for the conditions that they create for me today. I am also serving under a contract, I have an officer position, I am a lieutenant.

Where is the food worse, in the army or in the Olympic village? They feed well in the army, but here I ate little - I kept the weight, ”Vlasov will tell shortly after he becomes a two-time Olympic champion.

Hymn

Even without being interested in wrestling, you might have heard of Roman. AT September of last yearn involuntarily got into the news, to which every self-respecting site stuck the word"scandal".

Last year, Roman became the world champion in Las Vegas, but the organizers of the competition mixed up the anthem by including Glinka's Patriotic song. Vlasov with a gold medal on a pedestal spread his hands and asked to stop the music. “I could stand there all night, as if I wouldn’t leave until our anthem was turned on. We train and perform for this, and then someone deprives you of such a moment, ”the athlete adequately commented on the episode.

Rio 2016

Vlasov admits that, despite the lack of impact of the fight, bruises and cuts regularly find him at competitions, and in Rio he ended up unnerving the fans with a cut. However, it looked like a trifle when, in the semifinals, Vlasov got into what would be called a choke in MMA - and lost consciousness.

Horvat Starcevic grabbed the neck of the Russian. MMA fighters say that at such a moment you don’t understand when you lose consciousness: you just try to get out of the grip, and then they wake you up. The main thing is that the judge understands. The judge did not immediately, but understood. Vlasov was brought to his senses and, despite what had happened, he had to continue.

“What happened in the semi-finals is an unfair refereeing. I won the first four points, I knocked him down, they should have given two more, I rolled twice - the score should have been 8:0 or 10:0. Not only that, the Croat strangled me. The judge didn't even comment. Thank God, I was allowed to reach the end and win this meeting.

I have never had this. I passed out, lost consciousness. I woke up very quickly and realized that I needed to fight on. When I woke up, I saw the dissatisfaction of the opponent, and how the judge doubted what assessment to give. It’s good that they let me fight and win the meeting, but I should have won much earlier, ”Vlasov will tell after the final.

Dane Mark Madsen, with whom Vlasov held the final fight, is six years older. He fought at the world level when Roman was driving with a sore throat to the Russian Championship. They met twice at the world championships, fought in London - and Roman called him one of his most uncomfortable rivals.

“I fought with Madsen six times, he thoroughly taught me. And in London it was a tough fight, I almost missed it. And today it turned out to be a serious fight, I don’t know how I survived. But the score in personal meetings with us is 6:0. And the first meeting with a Korean was worthy of the final. I had to turn on right away. Korean is very good. it is always hard to fight him, literally point to point. You always have to give all your best, ”Vlasov assures.

Roman has his own approach to acclimatization. Greco-Roman style wrestlers arrive in an unusual time zone right before the competition, preventing the body from starting the acclimatization process. So it was in Rio. When Vlasov flew to fight for the World Championship in Vegas, he said that already in Russia, closer to the tournament, he shifted training to a later time so that the body would get used to it.

“We came here on purpose for three days, because the fourth day - this is a hole due to acclimatization,- recalls Vlasov. - In our case, everything was done correctly, our trainers built all the work processes very competently. I have no doubt that we will continue to have excellent results.”

At four in the morning, native Novosibirsk time, Vlasov became a two-time Olympic champion.

Text: Vadim Tikhomirov, Alexander Muyzhnek, Marina Krylova

A photo:RIA Novosti/Alexander Wilf,RIA Novosti/Maya Shelkovnikova

Two-time Olympic champion Roman Vlasov: “This meeting is native land made me understand that something important had really happened!”

On August 20, our famous Greco-Roman wrestler, who won gold in the 75 kg weight category in Rio de Janeiro, returned home.

- You are a champion while standing on a podium. As soon as he left it, he must work again, confirm his title, - so Roman Vlasov stated shortly after the 2012 London Games, where he won his first Olympic gold.

The dream that came true was immediately replaced by a new one: to become a two-time winner of the main competitions of the planet. A symbolic break to restore strength - and again on the road, again into battle, now knowing firsthand how fantastic work, dedication and nerves these minutes stand on the highest step of the cherished pedestal.

At what cost did Vlasov win the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the whole world saw. But if injuries and bloodshed, which our hero now also could not avoid, have become common practice, then the well-known episode of his semifinal fight turned out to be unprecedented: the athlete lost consciousness, but after almost a minute he “turned on” again, gathered his strength and successfully completed the fight. The opponent of the Siberian was the Croat Bozho Starchevich, who allowed an oblique grip forbidden in Greco-Roman wrestling, and the judge reacted late ...

“There is a judicial error here,” notes Roman Vlasov back to Novosibirsk. - When the opponent strangled me, it was scary. I woke up, not understanding where I was, what kind of state this was. Fortunately, there was a break of 30 seconds, they put me in order a little - they slapped my cheeks, gave me water to drink ... And, thank God, they allowed me to finish the fight.

“The tournament as a whole turned out to be incredibly dramatic, all the fights are very difficult,” comments Vlasov’s eminent predecessor, a three-time winner Olympic Games in Greco-Roman wrestling Alexander Karelin. - A choke hold - yes, you can’t do it for so long, and an oblique hold is generally unacceptable. The judge, apparently, was really confused, did not orient himself in time - after all, the incredible intensity of the struggle, the semi-final fight! But he had to stop the fight or at least hit the Croat's hand...

Fortunately, everything ended well - Roman gathered his courage, survived both physically and psychologically, eventually winning his second Olympic gold. Recall that in the 1/8 finals, his opponent was the South Korean wrestler Hyonwu Kim, whom the Siberian defeated with a score of 7:5. In the quarterfinal duel, he went dry - 8:0 - defeated the Chinese Yang Bin. Our athlete also completed the sensational fight with the Croatian Bozho Starcevic for reaching the final in his favor - 6:3. Finally, in the fight for the highest level Roman Vlasov and an athlete from Denmark Mark Madsen met on the podium. The advantage of the Russians again was not in doubt. The outcome of the meeting - 5:1.

- It was very difficult, but I understood where I was going, - our hero continues to share his impressions of the tournament. - This is the Olympic Games, there can't be an easy walk here. I had to gather my strength as much as possible and give myself completely to the fight. Madsen, my opponent in the final, is well known to me, we met him on the mat for the sixth time. But, of course, the current - Olympic - fight turned out to be the most serious. The Dane, who, in turn, knows me too, turned on his reserve to the maximum. In addition, he is older, six years older than me, titled, venerable, very strong. And, to be honest, he set a very powerful pace of struggle. It's good that I realized my attacks in the first period, and in the second I just had to restrain him, to tie him up. I was put on the ground twice... I don't know how I won this fight. Probably, something happened from above, God gave me strength, and everything worked out for me. Now I'm happy! Perhaps there are no more pleasant moments than such meetings on my native land - with relatives, friends, mentors, fans and many more who helped me go to victory. This meeting made me understand that something very important had actually happened - for our city, region, country!

Fighter confirms again and again: defending the title of Olympic winner was given to him at a much higher and cruel price than the first victory at the Games. Injuries, emergency situations, “blunders” of judges, a well-trained opponent who already knows who Roman Vlasov is ... Let's add one more touch to all the components of the indicated price:

“Everyone remembers how long it took to decide on the admission of the Russian delegation to the Olympic Games in Rio,” the mother of our winner takes the floor. Tatiana Vlasova. – So for Roma, for me and all his relatives, the situation was initially more dramatic than before the last Olympics. Let me tell you about my feelings: the anxious expectation of the denouement of events was harder than the feelings that arose already during the tournament. When our team was admitted to the Games, anxiety was replaced by hope for a successful outcome of Roma's performance. And so it happened.“Mommy, everything worked out!” – that was the first thing Roma told me when he called from Rio after the victory. But we always leave the most important, warmest words to each other for a personal meeting. I am very happy that my son is happy and thank you great amount people who worried about him and today meet him so solemnly.

Roman Vlasov was greeted at the Tolmachevo airport by hundreds of fellow countrymen. Including the head of the department physical education and sports Novosibirsk region Sergey Akhapov, the athlete's mentor - Honored Coach of the USSR, the RSFSR and Russia Viktor Kuznetsov, three-time winner of the Olympic Games Alexander Karelin, director of the Regional Center for Sports Training of National Teams and Sports Reserve Alexander Veselov, President of the Regional Wrestling Federation Sergey Semka, Head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports Novosibirsk City Hall Marina Kurnosova, relatives and friends of our hero, fighters of the detachment special purpose"Yermak" (where after the London Olympics Roman served in the army), pupils Training Center of the Central Internal Affairs Directorate for the Novosibirsk Region, young athletes from the club "Pervomaets", fans and journalists. The meeting was held in the arrivals hall to the live music of the brass band of the headquarters of the Siberian District of the Russian National Guard Troops. Flowers, banners, lengthy photo and autograph sessions, interviews, smiles, tears of joy, shouts of “Hurrah!”, the swing of the champion - the holiday in all this “paraphernalia” lasted about two hours.

Of course, a large audience was interested in the question: the dream of a second Olympic gold came true - what's next?

“Honestly, there are no thoughts about it yet,” Roman admits. - I just enjoy what is happening, I taste euphoria, these emotions, I enjoy the moment to which I have been going for so long. When you are greeted like this, it is worth a lot! Now I'll rest, restore my strength, and then we'll see what's next. It may happen that in a week I will be drawn to the gym, and we will begin preparations for my third Olympic Games. But I don't want to guess...

“Time will tell,” adds Viktor Kuznetsov, who raised the previously three-time winner of the Olympic Games Alexander Karelin and now - two-time, Roman Vlasov. - Too much energy was given to the competition in Rio. I was also very worried, but I hoped for the best. Nevertheless, the World Championship last season was successful for Roma, and he knew his rivals at the Olympics well, fought with everyone before and again tuned in only to win.

By the way, some commentators and experts are already comparing Roman Vlasov with his famous senior fellow countryman, they call the two-time winner of the Olympic Games in Greco-Roman wrestling the “second Karelin”. But really…

“Vlasov is not the second Karelin,” Alexander Alexandrovich himself briefly comments. - Vlasov is the first Vlasov!