Azerbaijani judo fighters crowned European champions

Azerbaijani judo fighters have been crowned European champions, Azernews reports.

The judokas won gold medals at European Judo Championships U23 Individuals 2024 held in the city of Pila, Poland.

Huseyn Allahyarov (60 kg) and Fidan Alizade (57 kg) both defeated all their opponents to ascend to the highest step of the podium.

At the same time, Aydin Aliyev (52 kg) earned a silver medal, while Rufat Shovletov (73 kg) was awarded a bronze medal.

As a result, the national team concluded the first day of the tournament with four medals.

European Judo Championships U23 Individuals 2024, which will continue until November 17, features Azerbaijan represented by 15 athletes in 11 weight categories.

Founded in 1972, the Azerbaijan Judo Federation actively promotes this martial art across the country. Since 2015, the Federation has been led by Rovnag Abdullayev.

The country's modern judo history was laid by Mehman Azizov, who won a silver medal at the Old World Championship in 1998.

A year later, the winner of the World Youth Games in Moscow, Rasul Salimov, grabbed the bronze medal at the European Championship in Slovakia. Another national judoka, Elchin Ismayilov, became the European champion in 2000 in Wroclaw.

However, the achievements of Azerbaijani judo fighters did not stop there. Elnur Mammadli was named the best at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 73 kg division.

The list of the country's top judo fighters includes Rustam Orujov, ?rina Kindzerskaya, Mammadali Mehdiyev, Elmar Gasimov, Hidayat Heydarov, Zelim Kotsoev, Ushangi Kokauri, and Nijat Shikhalizada.

At the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, judokas Hidayat Heydarov (73 kg) and Zelym Kotsoiev (100 kg) earned gold medals for Azerbaijan.