ROTTERDAM SURPLUS

Azerbaijani judokas are fighting to score points that will allow them to take part in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The latest tournament was Rotterdam Trophy. The Azerbaijani team won three bronze medals. Ramil Qasimov (66 kg), Elxan Mammadov (90 kg) and Mehman Azizov (81 kg) all scored points to considerably increase their chances of going to the Beijing Olympics. The success of the first two sportsmen is especially impressive as they have only recently joined the national team and are already proving to be challengers for top positions.

Struggling for points 

For many athletes aspiring to a place at the Olympics, the Rotterdam Trophy was the last chance to increase their scores. However, not only those aspiring to a place, but also those who have already got one, following the world championship, took part in the Rotterdam Trophy. This is why involvement in the competition was of extreme importance for our team. Now we can say at the outset that some athletes increased their scores and secured their involvement in the 2008 Olympics.

As to specific results, we should speak about the success of Ramil Gasimov (66 kg), whose performance is improving with every tournament. The situation in this weight division is rather complicated - after a one-year break, three-time champion of Europe, Elcin Ismayilov, has lost the dynamic offence he was famous for. In the Netherlands he was beaten in his third match, while Ramil took part in consolation matches after he was beaten by Alim Gadanov (Russia) in the main competition. In the first two matches for the bronze medal Ramil beat Sandor Tarabu (Hungary) and Marcel Trudov (Moldova). In the final match for the third place his opponent was Revazi Zintiridis (Georgia), but the latter pulled out because of an injury. 

Injuries were a very serious problem at the tournament. Movlud Miraliyev (100 kg) injured his shoulder and was beaten by Andriy Bloshenko (Ukraine). His rival reached the semi-final, but Miraliyev decided not to continue in the competition in order not to exacerbate the injury. For the same reason, Miraliyev's involvement in the joint training that started immediately after the Rotterdam Trophy is still in question. He may even not attend the next tournament.

As for bronze medal-winners, we should note the confident performance by Elxan Mammadov. He was seventh in the recent world championship. He improved his performance in Holland. He was beaten by Sergei Ashvander (Switzerland), but was very good in the consolation matches. He took part in four matches for the bronze medal - he beat David Perez (Spain), Khasanbi Taov (Russia), Jevgenijs Borodavko (Lithuania) and Alon Sason (Israel). In the last match he won by an ippon and truly deserved his place on the podium.

Next to Mehman Azizov, who showed character and fought with great determination. He was beaten by Srdan Mrvaljevic (Montenegro) and then had three consolation matches for third place. The most dramatic was the match with Roman Gotyuk, silver medal winner at the 2004 Olympics. They were level after normal time. During extra time, Mehman was successful, winning the match by ippon.

"The schedule was rather busy. Just a week after a world competition in Brazil, the team travelled to Holland. We were tired both psychologically and physically, because the schedule was rather heavy. We had to return good results at the world championship - and that had its effect. The team had not recovered when it arrived in Rotterdam. This is why the guys did not perform as they would have wished. In different circumstances, I could have done better. I was a prize-winner at two world super cups in Holland," Mehman said.

Main goal to remain in the top nine

The team will undergo another test - the Baku world cup on 13 October. After that the licence marathon for judokas will finish. Obviously, on native soil the team should go all out, especially as the winner will score 60 points. "They say that at home even the walls help. But it will not be easy for the guys, because over 30 countries will take part in the tournament. Everyone understands that the Baku tournament is the last chance to improve their rating this year," the team's coach, Agayar Axundzada, said.

Ramil Qasimov said that he did not see a big difference between his recent victory at the world universiade and the bronze medal at the Rotterdam Trophy. "I regard my third place in Rotterdam as a victory. That bronze medal is indeed priceless in view of the struggle for the points required to get an Olympic place. I hope to add to it the gold medal at the Baku world cup," Ramil said. He stressed that his victory in Thailand was priceless. "I can say that I am still reaping the fruits of that victory. The successful performance in Rotterdam is evidence, although the others in my sub-group were the strongest ones. I had a chance to win the match with Russian judoka Alim Gadanov. I even managed to throw him once, but finally he was luckier. In every match, I need some time to adapt, and sometimes I do not have that time," Ramil said.

He added that his performance in Rotterdam has moved him into the top nine. Now he has to try to remain in the top nine, and this is much harder than winning a medal.

In turn, the coach of the national team, Agayar Axundzada, said that the team had achieved its goals in Rotterdam. "The priority was to score as many points as possible and increase the chances of a trip to Beijing. We've managed to do it to a large extent. Mehman Azizov won the bronze medal and proved once again that he is the leader in his weight division. And of course we were pleased by Qasimov and Mammadov, who have good prospects," the coach said.

As for Mammadov, who is also a challenging for a trip to Beijing, we have to say that his first success was the bronze medal at the 2004 European Junior Championship. A year later he won the Azerbaijan championship. He became a permanent member of the national team this year and took part in the Tournoi de Paris. His first success was the bronze medal at the world cup in Poland. Then he was seventh at the championship in Brazil and won the bronze medal in Rotterdam. "I'm glad that my transition from the junior team to the national team has been quite painless. But for better results I have to correct my mistakes. Sometimes I do not have enough stamina. We've already discussed that with the team's coaches. Sometimes I cannot pace myself to last the entire competition and go all out in the first matches. Therefore, I'm working on that and the training is very useful. By the way, the joint training in Holland after the super cup was very useful for everyone because you have a chance to try yourself in matches against any opponent, perfect your technique and gain experience," Elxan said. 

Now our judokas' objective is to remain in the top nine and get those places for the Beijing Olympics. It is much easier to say than do!