The battles of modern titans will take place against the backdrop of the majestic landscapes of the Targim Basin. At the foot of Mount Tsey-Loam on the right bank of the Assa River, the installation of the arena, spectator stands and special frames for huge screens is being completed. All the necessary equipment was delivered the day before, and specialists began installing video and audio equipment and lighting.
The number of spectators is also increasing every year, and therefore the organizers decided to install two additional screens for the convenience of fans.
For the fifth time, the beauty of the Dzheirakh region will become a natural backdrop for fights that will attract the attention of fans in all corners of the world. “Battle in the Mountains” is the most beautiful show we do. “Holding a mixed martial arts tournament in the mountains in the open air, against the backdrop of majestic towers, has become a unique feature in the world,” said Vadim Finkelshtein, president of the World MMA Association and head of the International Sports Organization M-1 Global. This phrase was then, in June 2014, quoted by the leading media in Russia and abroad. Competitions in which the best fighters in the world participate attract tens of thousands of spectators and fans from many countries.
“I hold ten tournaments a year, and their geography is constantly expanding... However, the tournament in Ingushetia - for the M-1 Global team and for me personally - is special... the site is simply magnificent... It’s good here. In Ingushetia, we can not only hold and broadcast fights to the whole world, but make a real spectacular show out of it. About 100 countries around the world could watch the broadcast of today’s tournament,” Vadim Finkelshtein shared without hiding his emotions. He also told reporters about the words of the Swiss team involved in organizing a similar tournament in Switzerland: “Yes, they admitted that they also have mountains, but not as beautiful as M-1. Your nature is amazing! Our television group specially tries in its promotional videos to show not only the presentation of the fighter, but also the beauty that surrounds us,” said the President of the World MMA Association. Targim is an arena not only for sports battles. The “Battle in the Mountains” itself also set a record. The competition, dedicated to the 22nd anniversary of the founding of the republic, was included in the Russian Book of Records as “the most massive event held at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level.” “Battle in the Mountains 2014” attracted 23,255 spectators.
According to Vadim Finkelshtein, the M-1 “Battle in the Mountains” also set its own record. “These were athletes of exactly the same level. We had an all-time record here for the first time: only one fight (Kenny Garner) went to the end, the rest all ended in the first round,” said the president of M-1 Global.
“Battle in the Mountains - 2016” promises to be even more spectacular and memorable. Therefore, the preparation of athletes for the upcoming fights is carried out according to an enhanced program. The organizers of the tournament took care of the participants: so that the guys could undergo acclimatization, the training camp is held on the basis of the ARMKHI LOC. Ingushetia will be represented at the competition by wrestlers from the republican fight club “Erzi”.
We have been in LOK for two weeks now. The guys underwent acclimatization, since the air at altitude is thinner, the pressure is different, the oxygen level is different, and so on. There are almost ideal conditions for training athletes: clean mountain air, proper nutrition and daily training. In a word, everything you need to maintain excellent physical shape and morale. We have now begun the final phase of preparation for the tournament. The main emphasis is on weight loss. We no longer give increased load. And the schedule itself is as follows: in the morning - a light jog, in the evening - another jog and work on the “paws”, practicing actions on the ground, but not for long, 40-50 minutes. As for nutrition, the main emphasis is on a protein diet, again this is related to weight. It’s worth noting that our chefs here cook very well, so there are no problems with this issue either. The best coaches from neighboring regions came to train our guys, about seven of them, from Dagestan and Chechnya. They trained our fighters, practiced some techniques, etc.,” said Bashir Gagiev, head coach of the Erzi fight club.
His players admit that they are determined to win. What also gives them confidence is that they will fight on their native soil, and at home, as you know, walls help.
Before Ramadan, we practiced at our club. And in the month of Ramadan, training camps took place in Abkhazia. As for my personal preparation, I can say that I am almost one hundred percent ready. At least that's how I feel. And victory or loss is all according to the will of Allah,” Khamzat Dolgiev shared. The athlete competes in weights up to 65.8 kg. His fight is one of those that will take place on the main card.
My opponent has a big advantage in striking technique. But, God willing, I will try to fight him in a standing position, and, if possible, drag him to the ground, and show all our fans a spectacular, beautiful fight,” promised Amirkhan Guliyev. Our athlete is declared in weight up to 93 kg. His opponent will be a fighter from Mexico.
This year the “Battle in the Mountains” M-1 Challenge tournament will be held for the 5th time. The organizers have repeatedly noted that the site created here is excellent for holding competitions of this kind. And we are talking not only about the level of training of the athletes themselves, the organization and loyal spectators, but also about the beautiful natural conditions: the majestic mountains surrounding the arena seem to enhance the spirit of competition that is literally in the air.
In total, 22 fighters from Russia and countries near and far abroad were entered into the competition. Spectators will see 11 exciting fights.
In the main fight of the International Mixed Martial Arts Tournament M-1 Challenge 69 “Battle in the Mountains,” former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion American Kenny Garner (16-9) will fight Estonian fighter Denis Smoldarev (11-2), who has twice claimed this title ).
And a little more from the history of the sports spectacle. The M-1 Challenge 33 Championship “Dzheirakh-2012: “Battle in the Mountains” became an anniversary for the M-1 Global company. That year, the Mixed Martial Arts League celebrated its 15th anniversary. And the international tournament itself was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Ingushetia. As Vadim Finkelshtein, president of M-1 Global and promoter of Fedor and Alexander Emelianenko, noted then, M-1 employees “did everything to convey to television viewers the beauty of the mountain landscapes, the power and strength of the Ingush ancestral towers as best and as voluminously as possible.” The “Battle in the Mountains” project, successfully implemented by M-1 in Ingushetia, was initially interesting for the company and fans of ultimate fighting, in particular, for its exoticism. The organizers of the tournament and the management of M-1 Global at the very beginning - in 2012 - assumed that about 5 thousand spectators would come to watch the spectacular fights. But the reality, as they say, exceeded all expectations: about 20 thousand people came to the mountains of Ingushetia to see, as they say, live fights of the strongest fighters. “I saw such an influx of people only at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow, when spectators came to see Fedor Emelianenko,” Finkelstein admitted then.
So, from the very first tournament, “Battle in the Mountains” is a place where records are born, where ancient mountains, majestic towers, beautiful nature and, of course, people compete in beauty and nobility - the main characters of a large-scale, grandiose, exciting action , giving a lot of unforgettable emotions to everyone who becomes involved in fair fights.
For several weeks, Ingushetia has been preparing for the main event of the summer - the international mixed martial arts tournament M-1 Challenge "Battle in the Mountains", which annually gathers up to 25,000 spectators in a small village located at an altitude of one and a half thousand meters. The competition was very successful, delighting the fans, athletes, and organizers.
TOURNAMENT FROM THE BOOK OF RECORDS
Athletes from regions of Russia, Spain, the USA, Brazil, Croatia, Switzerland, Ukraine and a number of other countries came to fight surrounded by mountains. There were many Russians among the tournament participants, representing the host republic of the competition. The main event of the evening was a heavyweight superfight. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the fight between ex-M-1 Challenge champion Kenny Garner from the USA and Hercules from Estonia Denis Smoldarev, who was claiming the championship title for the third time.
The stands were clearly rooting for Smoldarev, who seemed stronger from the very beginning. By the end of the first round, the American’s right eyelid was cut, but he was not going to give up and the fight continued. The representative of Estonia turned out to be stronger and won the fight. After the judge triumphantly raised Denis Smoldarev’s hand, the athlete took the Ingush flag, which caused great joy among the spectators.
For his fight, in addition to the title, the Estonian received an award certificate for 1 million rubles from the hands of the Head of Ingushetia, Yunus-Bek Evkurov. The athlete thanked for such a generous gift, noting that these funds will open up new opportunities for him.
Anyone who has attended the “Battle in the Mountains” invariably falls in love not only with wrestling, as the most brutal sport, but also with the nature of the North Caucasus - the tournament takes place in the open air, in a valley protected from the whole world by proud mountain peaks. The wrestling competition is also watched by several ancient Ingush battle towers, which have seen many desperate battles in their lifetime. The initiative to hold tournaments belongs to the Head of the Republic.
Four years ago, our republic was perceived as a territory of terrorism. Therefore, first of all, through this tournament, through the popularization of mixed martial arts, we strive to show a different Ingushetia,” said Yunus-Bek Evkurov. - The beauty of our nature, the warmth of the hearts of generous and hospitable people. I am sure that we have practically succeeded.
Because today a huge number of tourists come not only to these fights. In addition, the head of the region noted that during the tournaments, 12 sports clubs specializing in mixed martial arts appeared in Ingushetia. The first “Battle in the Mountains,” dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the formation of Ingushetia as part of Russia, took place in 2012. That year, world-famous wrestlers gathered in the Dzheirakh region: Magomed Malikov, Adam Barakhoev, Rakhim Chakhkiev, Sultan Ibragimov, Vakha Evloev, Islam Duguchiev, as well as guests from France, Bulgaria, Spain, Croatia, and Russia. Two years later, the “Battle in the Mountains” was noted in the Russian Book of Records as the most massive event held at an altitude of more than 1,500 meters above sea level.
Photo report from “Battle in the Mountains 2016”
WARRIORS, DEFENDERS, ATHLETES
It is not surprising that wrestling tournaments are held in Ingushetia. The Ingush love for this sport is passed down from generation to generation. It is not surprising if you remember such names as Berd Evloev and Vakha Evloev. Berd Evloev, a classical wrestler, a man of incredible strength and skill, the same famous “Eagle of the Caucasus” and “Lion of the Caucasus” became famous at the beginning of the last century, becoming the champion of the world and Europe. Vakha Evloev, who became the USSR champion in 1977, has achieved recognition throughout the world, and now serves as assistant-adviser to the Head of the Republic of Ingushetia.
Ingush are good athletes. Like most mountain peoples, these people were formed in harsh conditions - the complex mountain landscape created natural conditions for the development of agility, endurance, balance, and the abundance of enemies, from whom it was necessary to protect family and property, forced men to develop fighting qualities. That is why, from an early age, boys learned horse riding, shot arrows, lifted heavy boulders, accurately and quickly threw stones, deftly climbed steep cliffs, striving to become the first, the strongest, the most dexterous and the fastest. Rivalry formed a special character - the character of a warrior and defender.
Centuries passed, the conditions of existence softened, but the character and desire for physical perfection remained in the Ingush forever. Only now the battles acquired a sporting and friendly character, and their goal was to strengthen friendly and business relations between different peoples and countries.
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS - STATE PROGRAM
The glorious past must be continued with the glorious present, and therefore the leadership of the Republic of Ingushetia pays special attention to this issue. The government's activities are based on the state program “Development of Physical Culture and Sports” and are designed to cover the main aspects of the physical development of the population. Mass physical culture and sports events and activities to train highly qualified athletes and sports reserves are planned.
According to the adopted program, it is necessary to involve residents of the republic in sports, provide medical health control, and build new sports facilities. Unfortunately, as indicated in the program, at the moment there are not enough gyms - only 21.6% of the republic’s residents have the opportunity to exercise in equipped premises, therefore only 5.5% of the population have full opportunities for exercise. Moreover, these are mainly residents of rural areas.
The volume of tasks facing the Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports of the Republic of Ingushetia is significant, therefore the federal executive authorities provide the necessary assistance to the republic. The executive bodies of state power of the republic and the administration of municipalities are actively involved in the work.
“NO LEAVE YOUNG PEOPLE WITHOUT ATTENTION”
New sports centers for youth are opening in the republic - now there are more than two dozen of them, including specialized schools for Olympic sports and sports training centers. The head of the republic said about this:
We want to build a physical culture and health complex in every settlement of the republic - young people cannot be left without attention,” says Yunus-Bek Bamatgireevich.
Already more than 10 thousand athletes are involved in basic sports - the majority in sports schools, about 150 - in sports improvement groups, more than twenty - in groups of higher sports skills. Since 2011, according to the decree “On the procedure for rewarding athletes and coaches of the Republic of Ingushetia for achieving high sports results,” winners and prize-winners of championships in Russia, Europe and the world, as well as their coaches, receive an annual monetary reward. A monthly scholarship is also awarded to athletes who are members of the main and reserve national teams of the Russian Federation.
In 2012, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the republic, three new sports facilities began operating: the “Olympic Training Center for Freestyle Wrestling” in Nazran, a sports and recreation complex in the rural settlement of Plievo, and a multifunctional sports hall in the rural settlement of Nesterovskoye.
In 2014, an indoor skating rink with artificial ice in Nazran welcomed its first athletes, and now the first republican specialized sports school for hockey, “Erzi,” trains young hockey players on its basis. Multifunctional outdoor sports grounds and sports and recreation centers are being built and started operating in rural settlements. With the direct support of the Russian Ministry of Sports, it was possible to attract 700 million rubles to complete the construction of the Sports Palace in Nazran with 3,500 seats, which will allow international events to be held in Ingushetia at a qualitatively new level. Completion of construction is planned for the end of 2016.
SPORT IS ALWAYS AN EVENT
The most striking confirmation that sport is becoming more and more popular in the republic was the fact that in 2015 alone, 76 sporting events took place that had massive support from the residents of Ingushetia. For example, international tournaments in mixed martial arts M-1 “Battle in the Mountains” and “Battle of the Narts”, international competitions for landing accuracy in parachuting, the All-Russian judo tournament in memory of Magomed Parchiev, the North Caucasian Federal District boxing championship in memory of the Hero of Russia, Major General of Aviation Sulambek Oskanov, the North Caucasus Federal District championship in freestyle wrestling among youths, the 26th stage of the Russian Rally Cup and many others.
One and a half thousand athletes from national teams of districts and cities of the republic took part in the Festival of national sports and folk art “Ingush Games”. And in just one year, Ingushetia athletes won 149 gold, 86 silver and 140 bronze medals in all-Russian and international competitions.
Since 2014, every autumn in Ingushetia, international mixed martial arts competitions M-1 Challenge 61 “Battle of the Narts” are held (in Ingush “nart” means epic hero). Unlike the “Battle in the Mountains,” this tournament is held on the plain, in Nazran, and precedes the “Battle in the Mountains.”
HALL OF FAME
The republic has many heroes whose names have gone down in the history of world sports. In boxing these are Ayup Arsaev, Khizir Pliev, Islam Vadelgov, Adam Kodzoev. In wrestling - Nazir Mankiev, in judo - Magomed Parchiev, Ali Khamkhoev and others. Among the strongest weightlifters in the world are Beksultan Tsurov and Ruslan Balaev. In weightlifting, Ingushetia was glorified by Ruslan Balaev, champion of the Goodwill Games in 1986, and Israil Arsamakov, gold medalist of the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
The whole world remembers the name of Leila Albogachieva, a Russian climber who conquered Everest 12 times and died while climbing the same peak in September 2014. Her example inspired many new mountain conquerors.
The time is coming for a new generation of champions, for which sports centers are being built and the best coaches of the republic are working. But even more important is the fact that more and more Ingush are interested in sports, lead an active lifestyle, raise their children strong and healthy - for their benefit and the benefit of their native Ingushetia.
If interest in the “Battle in the Mountains” continues to grow at the same pace, then the tournament will again have to change its location. For the first time, these international mixed martial arts competitions were held in the Ingush village of Egikala in 2012 and attracted about 20 thousand people. The competition was included in the Russian Book of Records as the most massive event held at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level.
Even more people came to watch the next “Battle,” so the authorities of the republic decided to build a new spacious site in the village of Targim - otherwise the spectators would have been sitting at the base of the ancient Ancestral towers that have been preserved in these places.
The fifth anniversary “Battle in the Mountains” set another attendance record - tickets were sold for 2 million rubles. Spectators willingly went to the tournament to support their fellow countrymen - 7 out of 24 athletes represented Ingushetia. But, of course, most of all they were looking forward to the fight between two heavyweights Denis Smoldarev, representing Estonia, and the American Kenny Garner.
Garner had experience on his side (he is 41 years old, he is a former M-1 Challenge champion), Smoldarev’s victory was supported by age (he is 26 years old) and healthy sports anger. The Estonian athlete, who has been competing since 2009, has always been one step away from high titles - he twice became a silver medalist at the European Championships, and disappointingly lost the title fight in February 2016 to Russian Alexander Volkov.
Wanting to rehabilitate himself, Smoldarev did not burn out, but, on the contrary, was able to pull himself together as much as possible and in the third round, by unanimous decision of the judges, he became the winner.
RESULTS OF THE “BATTLE IN THE MOUNTAINS” IN 2016
(Up to 61.8 kg) Adam Gagiev (Ingushetia) defeated Zaur Akhmedov (Abubakov School, Dagestan) by unanimous decision. Round 3, 5:00
(Up to 77.1 kg) Magomed Maasaev (Chechnya) defeated Ingiskhan Ozdoev (Ingushetia) by choke (triangle). Round 2, 1:50
(Up to 70.3 kg) Abubakar Mestoev (Ingushetia) defeated Sergei Astapov (Ukraine) by technical knockout. Round 1, 1:10
(Up to 70.3 kg) Lom-Ali Nalgiev (Ingushetia) defeated Gabriel Szabo (Switzerland) by a majority vote of the judges. Round 3, 5:00
(Up to 93 kg) Amirkhan Guliyev (Ingushetia) defeated Darving Rodriguez (Mexico) by painful hold on the leg. Round 1, 3:16
(Up to 61.3 kg) Antun "Killer" Racic (Croatia) - Musa Kizikhanov (MMA Academy, Makhachkala) - draw
(Up to 61.3 kg) Khamzat Dalgiev (Ingushetia) defeated Ronnie Gomez (Dominican Republic) by technical knockout. Round 1, 2:28
(Over 93 kg) Marcus Vinicius Lopez (Brazil) defeated Kurban Ibragimov (Fighting Eagle, Dagestan) by unanimous decision. Round 3, 5:00
(Up to 61.3 kg), Sergey Morozov (Kazakhstan) defeated Rafael Diaz (Brazil) by unanimous decision. Round 3, 5:00
(Up to 65.8 kg) Andrey Lezhnev (Ukraine) defeated Lee Morrison (USA) by unanimous decision. Round 3, 5:00
(Over 93 kg) Denis Smoldarev (Estonia) defeated Kenny Garner (USA) by unanimous decision. Round 3, 5:00
Fight according to the rules of historical fencing
Rustam Kukurkhoev (Dzur-dzuk, Nazran) defeated Vitaly Kravchenko (MSPF “Paladin”, Moscow) by technical knockout. Round 2, 0:38
