COURAGEOUSLY FIGHTING FOR HEALTH

Meet Gorgud Medzhidli, a resident of the Medical Institute. He comes fr om Azerbaijan, a country situated in the eastern part of the South Caucasus, renowned for its rich archaeological and architectural heritage. Actively engaged in Greco-Roman wrestling, Gorgud has already earned numerous accolades despite his young age and has even achieved the title of Master of Sports of Russia in this discipline.

-Gorgud, how did you come to know about MRSU ?

- I learned about the university through friends—fellow athletes residing in Saransk. They mentioned that the university is rapidly growing, hosting various cultural and social events for international students, and strongly supporting sports. It’s fantastic that you can balance your studies with sports and other hobbies! Additionally, there are students from my home country studying here as well. I’m excited that N. P. Ogaryov Mordovian State University has incorporated the Universal Hall «Ogaryov Arena.» This year, they opened a wrestling hall there, which is very significant for me as an athlete.

— What draws you to sports?

For me, sports is not just an activity; it’s a way of life. I can’t imagine a day without engaging in it. Each day, I’m either training or going for a run. To be honest, sports foster a highly competitive atmosphere that requires significant energy, time, strict discipline, rigorous training, strong willpower, as well as proper nutrition and routine.

Adapting to this lifestyle isn’t easy, but once you embrace it, living without training becomes unimaginable. Skipping workouts is out of the question. Missing even a single session feels like a setback, and athletes must always strive to move forward. My ultimate athletic dream is to compete in the World Championship and the Olympic Games, to push my limits, demonstrate my abilities, and achieve outstanding results. However, that demands an immense amount of effort. Every day, I watch performances from various athletes on social media and analyze their techniques.

— What do you do besides sports?

- In addition to sports, I have a passion for culinary arts and enjoy cooking outdoors. I often get together with friends to spend time in nature, wh ere I love to prepare something tasty and unique. My favorite Azerbaijani dishes include badymjan dolması (stuffed vegetables) and shakh-plov (rice with an assortment of dried fruits). Among Russian dishes, I particularly enjoy makaron po-flotski (pasta with ground meat). In my spare time, I frequently visit an equestrian club because I have a deep love for horses.

— What did you aspire to be when you were a child?

- I didn’t have any particular ambitions; my main focus was on performing well in school. My parents hoped I would become a doctor, so I went along with their wishes and chose one of the most respected fields in medicine—dentistry. Similar to an athlete, a dentist needs precision in their movements and confidence in their hands. I strive to study diligently and attend all my classes. Occasionally, my friends tease me, saying, «Athlete, take care of your teeth!»

The article was published in the «Voice of Mordovian University» newspaper (No. 8 — September 27, 2024).