Idman.biz
Azerbaijan's judo team is focusing on the main event of the year in this sport. Tomorrow, the world championship, which will be attended by 557 athletes from 93 countries, will start in Budapest. This competition is, in fact, the beginning of a new Olympic cycle, and an interesting fight is expected in the Hungarian capital.
Idman.biz reports that Budapest regularly hosts the Judo World Cup.
The last time this happened was four years ago. Then only Karamat Huseynov (60 kg) distinguished himself by becoming a bronze medalist. In 2017, our judokas climbed the podium four times at the World Championship held on the banks of the Danube - Orkhan Safarov (60 kg) and Rustam Orujov (73 kg) won silver medals, and Elmar Gasimov (100 kg) and Irina Kindzerska (+78 kg) won bronze medals.
One of the brightest judokas of modern times also participated in both world championships in Budapest. Although Hidayat Heydarov (73 kg) completed the "golden collection" last year by winning gold medals at the Olympic, world and European championships, he stopped one step away from the medal twice in Hungary, finishing 5th. This time, he aims to defend his title in his first competition after the Olympics.
Of course, this will not be easy, but Heydarov has repeatedly shown with his numerous successes that nothing is impossible for him. The upcoming performance, which the judo community is eagerly awaiting, can also be memorable.
The first world championship after the Olympic Games is presented as a confrontation of generations. Athletes with rich experience will have to prove their level in the fight against ambitious young people. This promises interesting matches and high competition.
11 current world champions will compete in Budapest. Hidayat Heydarov (73 kg) and Zelim Kotsoiev (100 kg) won the world title last year in Abu Dhabi with a spectacular victory, and now the next important test awaits them. Their success can also be a motivation for other national team members: for example, Eljan Hajiyev (90 kg) or Zelim Tckaev (81 kg) intend to show themselves at the world championship after the European medals.
Before the championship, the Congress of the International Judo Federation (IJF) was held and Marius Vizer was elected president of the organization for the sixth time. During his leadership, the development of modern judo has entered a new stage, its popularity has increased, and the World Judo Tour covers many countries and continents. This work will continue, taking into account the 2028 Olympics.
Rashad Nabiyev, the president of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation, was also included in the newly elected IJF Executive Committee.
In short, the first significant achievement has already been achieved in Budapest. Now all eyes are on the tatami.
Zaki Feyzullayev
Idman.biz
