"It was my last year in youth and my last European championship. I switched to the 66 kg weight category this year. I have always competed at 60 kg. When I competed at 60 kg, I became the European champion in the first year of the youth, and the 2nd in Europe in the 2nd year. This time I became 3rd. I am not returning home without a medal."
Idman.biz reports that this was said to Prosport.Az by judoka Nizami Imranov, a two-time European champion and two-time world medalist.
The 19-year-old judoka spoke about winning a bronze medal at the European Youth Championship and losing to Muhammad Musayev in the 1/4 finals: "The opponent I lost to is also Muhammad Musayev, he is Azerbaijani. I am not upset about losing to him. God willing, I will prepare well for the world championship and take a worthy place.
If we hadn't met Muhammad in the 1/4 finals, we could have faced each other in the semi-finals or finals. The result could have been different there. That day was his day, he was stronger and defeated me."
He spoke about winning a gold medal at the Youth European Championship to be held in Lima, the capital of Peru, in October: "God willing, I will turn the bronze medal here into a gold medal at the world championship. My efforts will not be in vain."
Idman.biz