Azerbaijani judoka crowned European champion

Azerbaijani judoka Eljan Hajiyev (90kg) has been crowned European champion in Zagreb, Croatia,Azernews repots.

He secured the gold medal thanks to a victory over Hungarian Krisztian Toth at European Judo Championships Seniors Individuals 2024.

Hidayat Heydarov (73 kg) and Balabey Agayev (60 kg) won silver medals earlier.

European Judo Championships Seniors Individuals 2024 in Croatia gathered 427 judokas from 47 countries.

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 2008 Beijing Olympics gave fresh impetus to judo in Azerbaijan.

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