SPORTS
International Judo federation: Azerbaijan is today considered a major country in judo
Baku, July 21, AZERTAC
The International Judo federation’s (IJF) official website has posted an article highlighting the meeting between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the International Judo Federation Marius Vizer held in Baku.
The article mentioned that for many years, President Ilham Aliyev has been a strong supporter of judo and its development throughout the region.
The IJF described Azerbaijan as a major country in judo, saying that Baku will host an important grand slam in the calendar, the next edition of which will take place from 4th to 6th November in the Azerbaijani capital.
“With several Olympic medalists, including Elnur Mammadli, crowned in 2008 in Beijing, China, or Nazim Huseynov, born in Azerbaijan and gold medalist in Barcelona in 1992, Azerbaijan continues to win contemporary medals on the World Judo Tour. Among their national heroes we remember Rustam Orujov and Elmar Gasimov, both silver medalists in Rio in 2016 and still active, as well as Hidayat Heydarov, European Champion and recent winner of the Hungarian Grand Slam, or Saeid Mollaei, finalist of the last two grand slams of the world circuit.
We will also not forget the performances of Ilham Zakiyev, double gold medallist of the Paralympic Games and double para world champion and the world title of Elkhan Mammadov who was the first IJF world champion for Azerbaijan in 2013,” the article said.