Idman.biz
"Every medal is very valuable to me. But of course, the most valuable medal for this year was the bronze medal of the world championship."
This was stated by Zelim Kotsoyev, the Azerbaijani judo champion of Europe, the world and the Olympic Games, in an interview with AZERTAC.
We present that interview.
- How do you remember 2025?
- It would be more accurate to say that 2025 was not easy for me. But it was a very productive and difficult year. However, I am happy that I won medals in the main competitions at the European Championship and the World Championship. Because I spent most of the year after the Olympic Games on rehabilitation. I was healing the minor injuries I had accumulated before the Olympics. In general, the year was not bad.
- Which competition was the most difficult for you to fight for a medal this year?
- Every tournament has its own difficulties, we do a lot of work for each of them. But the biggest disappointment for me this year was the final of the Islamic Games. I was in full control of the fight, I was ahead in the score, I was leading with vaza-ari, but in the last seconds, I lost by falling into a choke hold, almost because of my own mistake. It was the biggest disappointment. But in general, every tournament has its own difficulties.
- You won silver at the Islamic Games and the European Championship, and bronze at the World Championship. Which of these awards is more valuable to you?
- Every medal is very valuable to me. But of course, the most valuable medal for this year was the bronze medal of the world championship. This is a big competition. As you know, many judokas cannot recover immediately after the Olympic Games, and it is difficult for them to win a medal again the following year, because the emotional burden is very heavy in the Olympic year. I am very happy that, although I was not in optimal shape, I was able to win a medal at the World Championship after a long rehabilitation period. Therefore, I can say that my most valuable medal for this year is the bronze medal of the world championship.
- You said that your main goal in 2026 will be to win a medal at the World Championship in Baku. How is your preparation going? I guess you will start intensive training from January...
- I have already started preparations for the coming year. The main goal is the World Championship in Baku in the coming year. The most important thing is that I have already healed my injuries. Nothing bothers me right now. I am gradually restoring my form. If nothing unexpected happens, I will be in top form in Baku. My goal is the World Championship and I have to be ready for it.
- You have been on the podium at 4 consecutive world championships. I guess you want to continue the series at the World Championship in Baku.
- Yes, the four medals I won from the world championships indicate a certain stability. But you know, I'm not chasing results. I mainly enjoy this process. I wake up every day and enjoy it. I enjoy training, I love to compete, the feeling of competition is still inside me and I don't like to lose at all. Perhaps these feelings cause results. But I don't set myself specific stability or specific goals. I just love this job and enjoy it.
- Your brother Aslan Kotsoyev also participates in prestigious tournaments in the 90 kg weight category and wins medals. Do you believe that he can repeat your successes?
- I believe in Aslan, I believe that he can be more successful and productive than me. For my part, I do everything I can for it. The federation and coaches also support me. But everything depends on him. Let's see how sincerely he will approach this work and how fanatic he will be. I believe that in the near future he will also show himself in competitions among adults.
- This year, you dropped from the first place to the 3rd place in the world ranking in your weight category. How does this decline motivate you to return to the top in the new year?
- To be honest, I am not very worried about the rating. I have not participated in that many tournaments this year, I have not been on the tatami that much. My rivals competed more than me. Therefore, it does not matter whether you are first or third. The main thing is to win in important competitions. The rating is not that important to me at this stage.
