Zelim Kotsoyev: "I think the opponent made a small mistake, but this is judo"

"We have a very strong coaching staff, friends, my brother is also here. They inspired me to fight for the bronze medal, they told me that I am a fighter and I must fight to the end." Sport24.az reports that these words were said by our judoka Zelim Kotsoyev (100 kg), who won a bronze medal at the world championship in Budapest.

The Olympic champion especially noted the role of coaches in the results achieved: "It is important that we won three medals. But our coaches work so hard that I think these medals are not enough - they deserve more. After winning two gold medals at the World Championships last year, expectations were higher this time."

Kotsoyev also recalled the moment that motivated him in the consolation match with Spanish representative Nikoloz Sherazadishvili: "After losing in the quarter-finals, I went to the consolation match without any feeling. I was not in the mood at all. But when Nikoloz used a trick against me, I woke up as if my feelings returned. I was losing with a "waza-ari" and that was the motivation I needed. I equalized the score, the meeting went into extra time, we were both very tired. I think the opponent made a small mistake. But this is judo."

He also commented on parting with the red mark on the back of the kimono worn by world champions: "Everyone fought against me as if they were performing in the final! I feel it and understand it. But there is no red mark on the back of the kimono anymore. In any case, there is still a gold mark belonging to the Olympic champion in the back - so everything is fine. Now I'm going home to my family, I'll have two weeks of vacation."