Islan Eltuyev

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Role: Technical Director

Date of Birth: 10 June 1966

Born: Grozny, Chechnya (then part of the USSR)

Lives: Swindon

Moved to England: 2003

Height: 5 ft 9 ins

Stance: Orthodox

What prompted you to start boxing: There was no history of boxing on either side of the family (both father and mother). My brother, Ruslan, who is twelve years older than me was very interested in the sport but did not participate. I shared his love of boxing from an early but decided that I wanted to have a go. I joined the local gymnasium and practised very hard. Eventually I progressed from Chechen to National (USSR) events. I twice won the Soviet Union light welterweight championship.

Favourite Boxer(s): Muhammad Ali, Manny Pacquiao

Favourite other sports: Football

Favourite Football Teams: Terek Grozny, Swindon Town, Chelsea

Languages: Chechen, Russian and English

Islan Eltuyev was installed as Technical Director of the Horseshoe Gym when it flung open its doors in 2009. In fact he was heavily involved prior to its unveiling, compiling the list of equipment that he felt was needed to turn the premises into a top quality fitness facility and a home for future boxing champions, along with seeing it safely installed.

His training philosophy is simple, build up a rapport between trainer and athlete and make sure that the ears are fully open in any conversation between the two.

And Islan underlines that by saying that the most important thing that he looks for in any boxer is the ability to listen, that way they can be taught anything about technique, skills, style, stamina and power.

His own c.v. speaks for itself, having competed during an era when USSR boxers regularly topped the world rankings and provided stern opposition for the Cubans, Americans and other Soviet Bloc countries.

Having hung up his gloves, he made the natural progression to training and brought those skills with him to England after fleeing the conflict in his native Chechnya.

His protegees in Swindon included ABA champion and Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Jamie Cox.

He views his role as seeing that everyone trained by him reaches their maximum potential.

And if he manages to mould boxers into British, European or World champions then he knows the job has been done properly, taking the athlete to the limit of their own potential is what it is all about.