Azerbaijani judokas add seven medals to country's medal haul

Azerbaijan has finished third in the team standings at the Skopje Junior European Cup 2026 held in North Macedonia, AzerNEWS reports.

The national team added seven medals to its medal haul, including two gold and five bronze.

On the final day of the tournament, the Azerbaijani national team won two gold and four bronze medals.

Khadija Gadashova (-57 kg) and Davud Namazli (-100 kg) defeated all their opponents to become champions.

Nargiz Ahmadova and Gulgaz Musayeva (both -48 kg), Aytan Verdiyeva (-57 kg), and Canpolad Aliyev (-100 kg) claimed bronze medals.

On the opening day of the competition, Nilgun Rzayeva (-63 kg) had also won a bronze medal.

Skopje Junior European Cup 2026 was organized by the European Judo Union (EJU) and featured judokas from 33 countries. Azerbaijan was represented by 13 judokas at the tournament.

Azerbaijani judokas have built a strong reputation on the international stage, regularly competing for medals at the Olympic Games, World and European Championships, and other major tournaments.

Their achievements have helped establish Azerbaijan as one of the prominent judo nations, with athletes known for their technical ability, fighting spirit, discipline, and determination.

A major role in the development of the sport has been played by the Azerbaijan Judo Federation. Established in 1972, the federation oversees the development and promotion of judo in the country and represents Azerbaijani judo internationally.

The federation is currently headed by Rashad Nabiyev, who also serves as Azerbaijan's Minister of Digital Development and Transportation.

The foundations of Azerbaijan's modern judo success were laid in the late 1990s. Mehman Azizov won a silver medal at the 1998 World Championships, marking one of the notable achievements of the new era. In 1999, Rasul Salimov, who had won the World Youth Games in Moscow, claimed bronze at the European Championships in Slovakia. A year later, Elchin Ismayilov became European champion in Wroclaw.

Azerbaijani judo continued to make significant strides in the following years. One of the landmark moments came at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, where Elnur Mammadli won the gold medal in the 73 kg category.

In recent years, Azerbaijan's judo success has been represented by a new generation of accomplished athletes, including Hidayat Heydarov, Zelym Kotsoiev, Zelim Tckaev, Balabay Aghayev, Ushangi Kokauri, Gultaj Mammadaliyeva, Leyla Aliyeva, Fidan Alizade, and Aisha Gurbanli, among others.