Omar Rajabli claims bronze at European Judo Championships U23 Individuals

By Laman Ismayilova 

Azerbaijani judoka Omar Rajabli has claimed a bronze medal at European Judo Championships U23 Individuals 2024 held in the city of Pila, Poland.

The judoka, competing in the 81 kg weight category, defeated Israeli representative Yaniv Agranov in the fight for third place.

Thus, the number of medals won by Azerbaijani judokas at the continental championship reached five. Earlier, Fidan Alizade (57 kg) and Huseyn Allahyarov (60 kg) won gold, Aydan Veliyeva (52 kg) won silver, and Rufat Shovlatov (73 kg) won bronze medals.

A total of 15 judokas represented Azerbaijan at European Judo Championships U23 Individuals 2024 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, Irina 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.