FIVE MEDALS AT THE GRAND SLAM

The Grand Slam tournament, which forms part of the world series in the International Judo Federation's calendar, took place in Baku. From 14-16 February, the National Gymnastics Arena of Azerbaijan hosted leading judokas from around the world.

Good Result for Youth Development

The event, which featured 36 countries, was a significant opportunity for youth development. The competition took place under new rules that were introduced after the Summer Olympics in Paris. The Japanese team emerged victorious, claiming the top spot in the prestigious three-day event. The founders of this sport, who arrived in Baku with a star-studded lineup, claimed first place in the team standings with 17 medals. The Japanese judokas achieved 10 gold medals across 14 weight categories.

The Azerbaijani team achieved a commendable performance, securing a total of five medals: one gold, one silver, and three bronze. The Azerbaijani team finished in third place overall, behind Japan (10 golds, 4 silvers, and 3 bronzes) and Germany (1 gold, 2 silvers, and 1 bronze).

It is noteworthy that the Azerbaijani team opted not to include its leaders—World and Olympic champions Hidayat Heydarov and Zelim Kotsoev—in the Baku tournament. The Judo Federation encouraged the participation of the youth team, demonstrating that there are worthy judokas among them.

The national team's achievements included gold from Zelim Tskaev (81 kg), silver from Rashid Mammadaliyev (73 kg), and bronze from Vusal Galandarzade (73 kg), Ahmed Yusifov (60 kg), and Elshan Asadov (66 kg).

Despite the fact that only five out of 32 Azerbaijani athletes were able to secure medals, the outcomes of the Grand Slam can be regarded as satisfactory, as the coaching staff permitted the majority of athletes to engage in training during the tournament.

Special mention should be made of Zelim Tskaev's high determination on the tatami, who was awarded the gold medal in the 81 kg category. Tskaev, who is gaining experience year-on-year, has the potential to compete and secure high placements in larger competitions. His composed performance in the final, witnessed by thousands of spectators, can be regarded as one of this professional athlete's major achievements. Rashid Mammadaliyev (73 kg) secured a silver medal. Unfortunately, due to an injury sustained in the semi-finals, he was unable to compete in the final, resulting in a silver medal. Vusal Galandarzade's (73 kg) bronze medal performance once again demonstrated the intense competitive nature of this weight category. Galandarzade's consistent high-level performance in all his matches indicates the potential for significant future success.

Preparation for the 2026 World Championship

The Grand Slam tournament in Baku demonstrated that the capital is well-prepared to host the World Judo Championship in 2026. The event saw over 300 athletes and coaches from 36 countries praise the organisational work of the Judo Federation of Azerbaijan.

In an exclusive statement for Region Plus, Marius Vizer, president of the International Judo Federation, noted: "The Grand Slam in Baku was, as always, an excellent event organised at a high level and professionally. I would like to congratulate the Azerbaijani judokas on their medal success. Their success, with one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals, is a testament to their dedication and skill. The event in Baku showcased the strength and depth of Azerbaijani judo. Azerbaijan's recent success at the Summer Olympics in Paris in 2024, with two gold medals, is indicative of the country's ongoing commitment to excellence in the sport. Over the past four years, the federation has invested significantly in its development. Alongside its medal success, it has implemented social and educational programmes to develop judo in Azerbaijan. We are delighted that next year's World Championship will be hosted in Baku. This is a significant event and a first step towards qualification for the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. I am confident that the competitions will be outstanding and, as always, they will be organised at the highest level."

"We will work on our shortcomings."

Rashad Rasulov, executive vice-president of the Judo Federation of Azerbaijan, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the competition: "Overall, the Azerbaijani team performed at an average level. It should be noted that Hidayat Heydarov, Zelim Kotsoev, Eljan Hajiyev, Turan Bayramov, Vugar Talibov, Murad Fatiyev, and several other athletes did not participate in this competition due to injuries and other reasons. Consequently, the team's performance was notably weaker than in previous years. The men's team demonstrated the anticipated outcomes. The Grand Slam also serves as a test for preparation for larger competitions. We acknowledge shortcomings and will continue to address them in future stages. Discussions will be held with the coaching staff after the competitions."

The executive vice-president emphasised that the high level of organisation is the result of extensive teamwork: "The Judo Federation of Azerbaijan has considerable experience in organising Grand Slam events, regional, domestic, and international competitions. We have a large team working in this area. We collaborate closely with the International Judo Federation, which stated on its official website that one of the best events was held in Baku as always. We aim to raise our level of organisation further each year. This ongoing enhancement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the federation and its partner organisations.

The Grand Slam competition in Baku is the second tournament on this year's world judo tour. The remainder of the calendar includes six further stages of the Grand Slam, three Grand Prix events, and the World Championship, which is also part of this world tour.