DEFEAT FOR AZERBAIJANI JUDO

There wasn't much to be pleased about for the Azerbaijani team at the World Judo Champi-onships, which have ended in Paris. Setting off with high expectations, the athletes returned home with only one (!) bronze medal, which shows there are big problems in the team. The team leaders were not in their best shape and physically were not ready for the championship. Agayar Axundzada's team was a shadow of its former self. In the run-up to the Olympic Games, the team are going through tough times.

The only medal for the team was won by the young Ilqar Muskiyev. He pleasantly surprised the fans and showed he is ready for the important contests in the 60-kg weight class. No one, in fact, expected him to do so well because Muskiyev, who did very well in junior competitions, began to appear in adult tournaments only this year.

Ilqar's victory should give food for thought to Nicat Sixalizada who competes in the same weight class. It is hard to believe that after Muskiyev's current success in the 60-kg weight class, Nicat will continue to lead the national team in this category. After a long time out of the sport, the athlete is expected to move to a different weight class.

In the 66-kg weight class, Tarlan Karimov was left without a medal. Seventh place is not good for an athlete who has set his sights on the Olympics. He must get back into his best shape as a matter of urgency. Otherwise, the coaches may review his level of performance for the national team.

The biggest disappointment for Azerbaijani judo fans came from Elnur Mammadli, whose fans are used to seeing brilliant victories. Elnur, who became European champion this spring, was totally unrecognizable in Paris: not a trace was left of his past speed and swiftness, which left opponents confused. Nor was there any trace of Elnur's assurances that he was ready for the world championship. This was seen in very first battle in the championship in Paris. Elnur, who usually beat his rivals by "ippon", won only because of the "golden point" this time. You cannot get too far with victories in extra time alone and this is what happened - Elnur "stumbled" as early as the last 16. His rival, a Ukrainian athlete, told Elnur afterwards that he had not expected to beat him. Such an unsightly performance by Mammadli gives the coaches food for thought. Naturally, there are failures in every athlete's career. And we are not going to give the Olympic champion and two-time European champion a hard time for just one defeat. The fact is that the weak performance of the leader and captain of the national judo team was a surprise to everyone. Elnur usually leads the team, and his victories are an inspiration to his teammates. Unfortunately, this time everything was the other way round.

In the 81-kg weight class, Elxan Racabli won two fights in a row. It was expected that he would win at least a bronze medal from which he was just one step away. But Elxan had to settle for only fifth place due to a lack of physical training.

Yet, despite the setback, his chances of winning a place in the Summer Olympic Games in London are quite high, which we cannot say for Renat Mirzaliyev who performs in the 73-kg weight class. Over the past two years, this judoka has not distinguished himself at all. He is unlikely to show fighting qualities and commitment in the near future, as they were not in evidence at the world championship. National team coaches are already resigned to the fact that Azerbaijan will not be represented in this weight class in London.

After two consecutive wins in the 90-kg weight class, Elxan Mammadov was drawn against the former world champion, South Korean athlete Lee Kyu-Won. Our compatriot lost, parting with his hopes for a medal. Although the coaches believe that Elxan will get a place in the Olympic Games, with such training we cannot hope for too much from him.

The Paris tour of our heavyweight (100 kg), Elmar Qasimov, did not last very long either -

he was out of the contest after the first match. Qasimov has not done anything since winning the European junior championship. On the contrary, in recent years, he has not justified any hopes, and to expect outstanding achievements from him in the near future is simply not serious. And Elmar has little time for deliberation - the Olympics will start in less than a year.

Our women judo wrestlers brought us no joy either. The lack of consistency in performance can knock Kifayat Qasimova (57 kg) and Ramila Yusubov (63 kg) out of the Olympics. If this goes on, they will be following the Olympic judo tournament on television.

The Azerbaijani team earned no praise at the world championship. Performing well below their ability, not only did the team really disappoint the fans, they also greatly puzzled the coaches. Now the leadership of the National Judo Federation and the coaches need to analyse the results, study the problem and try to fix it as soon as possible.

Elnur Mammadli and Elxan Mammadov have already gained licence points, which will be needed next summer. But we do not want the Azerbaijani sportsmen to go to the London Olympics just to make up the numbers.