Orkhan Safarov: "Judo has given me everything, now it's time to repay it"

Orkhan Safarov, a veteran of Azerbaijani judo, participated in a children's judo camp held in Budva, Montenegro, under the auspices of the European Judo Union (EJU).

İdman.biz reports that Orkhan Safarov, the winner of the European Championship, medalist of the World Championship, and Olympic participant, shared his thoughts during the training camp, and talked about his life after finishing his career and his return to judo through education and coaching.

Safarov admitted that leaving active sports was difficult: "When you stop doing judo, your life completely changes. For 25 years, you wake up every day and go to training. But one day you wake up and there is nothing."

After facing such a void, he found a way to return to his favorite profession: learning and teaching the educational side of judo: "Now I have a new goal - to understand and share judo in addition to competing."

He stated that he joined the EJU children's camp with great enthusiasm: "I was very happy when the EJU invited me. These children are the future of our judo family. Maybe two or three of them will become Olympic champions in the future, and maybe they will remember that we met here."

The two-time medalist of world championships believes that it is especially important for young judokas to meet their heroes during events such as the European Championship, which is held alongside the camp: "It is wonderful for children to see and feel the energy and spirit of judo live. Montenegro created a fantastic atmosphere at the competition, the support of the fans was incredible."

Remembering his childhood, Safarov said that he was once admired by Japanese judo legend Tadahiro Nomura and Korean champion Choi Min-ho. In Azerbaijan, his idol was Elchin Ismayilov, a three-time European champion who trained in the same club.

Safarov now coaches children in Azerbaijan and tries to make them love judo: "It doesn't matter whether they become champions or not, the main thing is that children find happiness in judo. "A happy child in sports is a healthy, smart person."

Safarov also continues his education. He currently teaches practical judo at the Azerbaijan Sports Academy and plans to continue his education in sports management and complete the "IJF Academy Level 2" coaching course by the end of this year: "Judo has given me everything, now it's time to repay it."

İdman.biz