Makhachkala, May 18, 2015. Honored coach of Russia Esedullakh Shakhmardanov set out to the Dominican Republic at the invitation of the local wrestling federation, wrestdag.ru reports.

"I was offered to stay for longer, but I'm at not the age allowing me to go for a long time, - the coach said in an interview with wrestdag.ru. - My task is to help the Dominican free-style wrestlers prepare for the Pan American Games and the world championships. I work in the capital of the country - Santo Domingo. I live in a hotel not far fr om the Olympic center wh ere I train the team. The team is 20 guys. Some are physically gifted, but they have a big problem with the technique. In contrast to our guys who place wrestling first, Dominicans’ priority is their studies. Almost all of them go to college and regularly attend classes, and this poses certain difficulties. In the Dominican Republic, baseball is the main obsession, and wrestling seems to be a minor sport here. Moreover, this country is lagging behind as compared to other countries of the continent in free-style wrestling.

"President of the National Wrestling Federation is eager to somehow change the situation, he supports the athletes, accompanies the guys at competitions, worries about them. Of course, he counts on me, but at the same time he realizes that it will be difficult for me to prepare the athletes in a short time good enough for them to show good results in the continental competition, not to mention the world tournament. But over the months, I have to give something to the Dominican wrestlers, train them, and teach the local coaches, too. I hope I will succeed, that’s what I’m here for."

Prior to that, the 65-year-old coach from Makhachkala had worked in Colombia for three Olympic cycles. This time he made a short-term contract which runs until mid-October.