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The eight days of the World Judo Championships, held from October 4 to 11 at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, brought us an unforgettable celebration of sport. Welcoming the elite of world judo back to Baku after an eight-year break became a source of immense pride and joy for Azerbaijani judo and sports enthusiasts alike. The intense battles on the tatami, the emotions experienced by the fans, and their unwavering support for the athletes turned these days into a true festival of judo. We were once again reminded that, in our country, judo is more than just a sport — it is a value that embodies hard work, determination, and pride.
As someone who has attended similar tournaments in many countries around the world, I must sincerely admit that the exceptional level of organization demonstrated by the Azerbaijan Judo Federation filled me with great pride. From the modern infrastructure of the National Gymnastics Arena and the use of cutting-edge technologies to the warmth of Azerbaijani hospitality and the comfortable conditions provided for hundreds of guests, including 622 athletes from 93 countries, every aspect of the event was organized in accordance with the highest international standards. The eight days of intense competition on the tatami showcased not only impeccable organizational work but also the high level of preparation of our national team. Outstanding victories and the enthusiastic support from the stands turned the championship into an event that will forever be etched in the history of Azerbaijani sport.
I am pleased to note that Azerbaijan has not only maintained its tradition of hosting prestigious international sporting events at the highest level but has also built a competitive national team capable of challenging even the strongest teams in the world. Our national team achieved a historic result: one gold, two silver, and four bronze medals, securing third place in the overall team standings! For the first time in the history of the World Championships, Azerbaijan finished among the top three teams, while also ranking second in terms of the total number of medals won — a truly remarkable achievement.
One of the most memorable highlights of this championship will undoubtedly be the world championship title won by Ahmad Yusifov, whose outstanding performances have brought us great joy in recent years. The attendance of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, at the grand opening ceremony of the championship, as well as his personal meeting with and congratulations to the newly crowned world champion, provided tremendous moral support to our athletes. It was also a clear demonstration of the attention and support given to the development of judo at the highest state level in our country.
When assessing our national team’s performance at this championship, I consider it essential to emphasize one particularly important point: the purposeful activities of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation over the past five years, together with its consistent efforts to develop and prepare athletes, are now bearing fruit. The seven medals won in Baku, the fact that five of our judokas became medalists at the senior World Championships for the first time in their careers, and the successful performances of our young athletes at such a high-level tournament all demonstrate that a new chapter has begun in the development of judo in Azerbaijan.
For me personally, one of the most gratifying moments was the bronze medal won by Murad Fatiyev, an athlete representing Judo Club 2012. This achievement once again demonstrated that athletes trained by our club are fully capable of making their mark on the international stage.
In my opinion, the organization of the championship left everyone deeply satisfied and, I would even go so far as to say, genuinely impressed. The conditions provided for competitors and guests fully met international standards. The implementation of the most advanced technologies throughout the tournament reflected the particular attention paid to these matters by the leadership of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation, as well as its high level of professionalism.
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our judokas, coaches, and the Azerbaijan Judo Federation on this historic achievement. I am confident that the successes achieved in Baku will serve as a solid foundation for many more victories in the future.
Azer Asgarov
Some dates hold a special place in the calendar and live on forever in a nation’s memory. For the past six years, 27 September, Remembrance Day, has been one such sacred date for the people of Azerbaijan. Today, with profound respect and boundless gratitude, we remember the heroes who gave their lives for our country and bow our heads in honour of their cherished memory.
Azer Askerov
In recent years, there has hardly been a major international tournament or prestigious competition at which Azerbaijani judokas have not raised our national flag through outstanding performances and proudly upheld the country’s sporting honour. These consistent achievements are by no means accidental. They are the natural result of the strong attention and support provided by the state to sport and athletes, as well as the effective, systematic and forward-looking work of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation.
The remarkable pace of development and the steady series of achievements in Azerbaijani judo demonstrate that the country is not only nurturing today’s champions, but also laying a solid foundation for even greater victories in the future.
The latest compelling evidence of this progress came at the prestigious Grand Slam tournament held in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Taking place on September 11–13 and offering qualification points towards the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympic Games, the competition saw Azerbaijan represented by 16 judokas — 12 men and four women — across 11 weight categories. Once again, the tournament showcased the depth of talent and the strong competitive reserves within Azerbaijani judo.
It was a particular source of pride for me to attend this major sporting event in Budapest in person and witness the intense contests involving our judokas. Their determination, the celebrations of victory on the tatami and the sight of Azerbaijan’s tricolour flying proudly filled me, as an Azerbaijani, with an immense sense of pride.
Sharing the joy of our athletes’ victories there, at the very heart of the competition, was an unforgettable experience that is difficult to put into words. The one gold and two bronze medals secured by our national team on the Budapest tatami became a vivid reflection of both individual excellence and outstanding team spirit.
Rashid Mammadaliyev (73 kg), who entered the competition in the Round of 64, delivered an exceptional performance by winning six demanding bouts in succession. In the final, he defeated Sweden’s Narek Vardanyan to claim his first-ever Grand Slam title.
Having previously won two silver and three bronze medals at Grand Slam events, Rashid’s rise to the top step of the podium this time was a clear testament to his relentless determination, continued development and growing maturity as an elite athlete.
Vusal Galandarzade (81 kg), who also began his campaign in the Round of 64, defeated Slovenia’s Natse Herkovic in the decisive bronze-medal contest to secure third place. It marked the young judoka’s second medal at a Grand Slam tournament.
Competing in the heavyweight category, Jamal Gamzatkhanov (+100 kg) began his tournament in the Round of 32 and went on to defeat Ukraine’s Yakiv Khammo by ippon in the bronze-medal bout.
The result marked Jamal’s fourth medal on the World Judo Tour this season. Earlier, he had already claimed bronze medals at the Tashkent and Dushanbe Grand Slams, as well as at the Upper Austria Grand Prix.
One of the most significant and inspiring aspects of the Budapest tournament was Azerbaijan’s performance in the team standings. The Azerbaijani men’s national team finished first, outperforming traditional judo powerhouses with rich sporting legacies such as Japan and Russia. In the overall team standings, Azerbaijan secured an impressive fifth place.
Yet the true strategic significance of this tournament goes far beyond the medal table.
With leading members of the national team — Olympic and world champions Hidayat Heydarov and Zelym Kotsoiev — absent due to injury, the ability of Azerbaijan’s younger judokas to compete at such a high level demonstrates the strength of the foundations on which the country’s judo system has been built.
It is clear evidence that a reliable new generation is emerging within the national team, that the tradition of sporting continuity is being successfully preserved, and that Azerbaijan’s young judokas are fully prepared to make their presence felt on the international stage.
The Budapest triumph gives rise to considerable hope and optimism ahead of the World Championships to be held in October this year and, ultimately, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Once again, we can see that when a purposeful national sports policy, professional federation management and the determination of young athletes come together, the sight of the Azerbaijani flag rising above the tatami becomes not an exception, but a natural outcome.
We firmly believe that this successful tradition in Azerbaijani judo will continue with honour at future World Championships and on the Olympic stage.
Azer Asgarov
On August 30, our capital once again hosted a spectacular and memorable public cultural event. Organized by the Azerbaijan Automobile Federation (AAF), the exhibition and parade of classic cars brought a distinctive charm, a sense of nostalgia, and refined aesthetic appeal to the streets of Baku.
I believe that events of this kind are much more than a platform that brings together classic car enthusiasts. They also serve as a vivid reflection of our country’s socio-economic development, dynamic urban life, and high standards of event organization. In my view, the parade, which began at the Seaside National Park and continued towards Sea Breeze and Marina Bay, created a truly festive atmosphere for both Baku residents and visitors to our city, leaving people of all ages with warm emotions and unforgettable impressions.
Supporting the cultural and sporting life of our country has always been one of our priorities. I am particularly pleased that, since 2021, we have now contributed to this remarkable event for the sixth time by presenting vehicles from our exclusive collection. This year, it was a great source of pride and satisfaction for us to showcase 24 rare classic automobiles manufactured between 1956 and 1986, including Mercedes, Jaguar, BMW, Ford Mustang and other iconic marques, and to share these genuine works of automotive art with fellow enthusiasts.
One of the most memorable and inspiring highlights of the event was the active participation of members of our judo family in the parade. Olympic, World and European champions Hidayat Heydarov and Zelym Kotsoiev, together with esteemed Judo Club 2012 athletes Murad Fatiyev and Aslan Kotsoiev, took the wheel of classic cars belonging to Azman Motors, bringing a unique sense of energy and sporting spirit to this magnificent procession. This harmonious union of sport and cultural heritage is a wonderful expression of our shared national values and solidarity.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Azerbaijan Automobile Federation for creating such a wonderful festive atmosphere in our capital, for organizing the event to the highest standard, and for its continued commitment to promoting classic car culture. I also extend my deep appreciation to everyone involved in organizing the event and to all those who took part.
Azer Asgarov
It is truly gratifying to see the continued success of Azerbaijani judokas. In recent days, members of our national team have achieved impressive results both at the Grand Prix tournament held in Qingdao, China, and at the European Open tournament organized in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.
A week ago, following the Grand Slam tournament in Ulaanbaatar, I noted that the current achievements of Azerbaijani judo are no coincidence. These results are the logical outcome of the rich judo traditions built over many years, the systematic work carried out by the Azerbaijan Judo Federation, the dedication of our coaches, and the high professionalism of our athletes. Zelim Tckaev’s gold medal in the -81 kg category at the Qingdao Grand Prix, along with bronze medals won by Ahmad Yusifov (-60 kg), Hidayat Heydarov (-81 kg), and Murad Fatiyev (-90 kg), as well as our national team’s third-place finish among men after the powerful teams of Japan and Russia, fully confirms this point.
I would particularly like to highlight the successful performance of our Olympic, world, and four-time European champion Hidayat Heydarov in Qingdao. In my comments after the Ulaanbaatar tournament a week ago, where he was unable to step onto the tatami due to a technical reason, I stated that I believed in Hidayat’s professionalism, character, and determination to win. This time, competing in a different weight category, -81 kg, and winning a bronze medal at his first major international tournament in this division shows that he has fully justified that confidence. I hope Hidayat will achieve even greater success in the upcoming competitions and once again be among the strongest athletes in the world at the next Olympic Games.
As the founder of Judo Club 2012, I must also emphasize that the strong results achieved by the club’s graduate Murad Fatiyev (-90 kg) at prestigious tournaments are a source of great satisfaction for me. Winning another bronze medal and stepping onto the podium in Qingdao just one week after the Ulaanbaatar tournament shows that he has developed into a high-level judoka. In my view, Murad has strong potential to become a participant in future Olympic Games.
The performance of our judokas at the European Open tournament in Prague, where they won one gold, two silver, and one bronze medal and shared second-third places with the French national team in the men’s team standings, demonstrates that Azerbaijan judo also has a strong reserve of talent. The gold medal won by Elshan Asadov (-66 kg), the silver medals claimed by Rashad Yelkiyev (-66 kg) and Ajdar Baghirov (-100 kg), and the bronze medal earned by Kamran Suleymanov (-73 kg) give us every reason to look to the future with optimism.
Today, the Azerbaijani judo school continues to make its mark as one of the strongest in the world. This consistency is the result of great effort, the right strategy, and professional management.
On the occasion of these magnificent achievements, I sincerely congratulate all our medal-winning judokas, their coaches, the leadership of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation, and our entire great judo family. I wish each of our athletes many new victories in the tournaments ahead!
Azer Askerov
The Grand Slam judo tournament held in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, once again demonstrated to the world the internal potential, rich traditions and international strength of the Azerbaijani judo school. In this prestigious competition, where 454 top judokas from 58 countries stepped onto the tatami, our national team won 1 gold and 3 bronze medals, while also finishing third in the men’s team standings. This success is by no means accidental. As I have repeatedly emphasized when commenting on the previous achievements of our judokas, these results are the logical outcome of the systematic, professional and purposeful work carried out by the Azerbaijan Judo Federation.
Every medal won in such a highly competitive environment, with leading judo nations such as Japan, South Korea, Russia, Georgia and Italy taking part, carries special value and deserves high appreciation.
I would particularly like to underline that Balabay Aghayev, who secured the gold medal for our team in Ulaanbaatar, holds a significant place in Azerbaijani judo. This is already his third medal at Grand Slam tournaments this year. With two gold medals and one silver medal, Balabay has once again proven that he belongs among the elite of world judo in the -60 kg weight category.
Members of our Judo Club 2012, Zelim Kotseyev (-100 kg) and Murad Fatiyev (-90 kg), also made a valuable contribution to the rising standing of our national team with the bronze medals they won in Ulaanbaatar. As the founder of the club, this personally fills me with great pride and joy. It is also highly commendable that another bronze medalist of the tournament, Nizami Imranov (-66 kg), represents the young generation developing within a healthy competitive environment in Azerbaijani judo.
The performances of Ahmad Yusifov and Kanan Nasibov, who both finished in 5th place, as well as Ruslan Pashayev, who finished 7th, are also worthy of note. Although they stopped just one step away from the medals, the important ranking points they earned in terms of Olympic qualification create a strong foundation for future major victories.
Another important aspect of the Ulaanbaatar tournament is that it was one of the first competitions of the new Olympic qualification cycle. The achievements gained here clearly demonstrate the ambition of the Azerbaijani national judo team to reach the highest goals at the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympic Games. Starting the new Olympic cycle with 4 medals and third place in the men’s team standings shows that our team is on the right path.
I also consider it important to mention one point: it is regrettable that our Olympic, world and four-time European champion Hidayat Heydarov was unable to step onto the tatami this time due to a minor weight-related issue. However, I personally know his professionalism, unwavering character and determination to win, and I firmly believe that Hidayat will return even stronger in the near future and make us proud once again.
The Ulaanbaatar tournament showed that our judokas are carrying the baton forward with dignity, and we have every reason to look to their future with great optimism. On behalf of the Azerbaijan Judo Veterans Association and on my own behalf, I sincerely congratulate all our medalists, the dedicated coaching staff, the leadership of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation and our entire great judo family on this magnificent success!
Azer Askerov
Dear compatriots, valuable friends!
I sincerely congratulate you and your relatives on the occasion of one of the most cherished days of the Islamic world – the blessed Eid al-Adha, which is a symbol of unity, equality and sacrifice.
Eid al-Adha teaches us to purify ourselves spiritually, help each other and, most importantly, to love creation for the sake of the Creator. Today is the day when a person overcomes his own ego, selfishness and arrogance, and when feelings of mercy and compassion reach their peak.
Today also has a special meaning for our Azerbaijan. We welcome these blessed days as an independent, free and proud nation living in its historical lands. This is also an embodiment of the unity of our state and people, our loyalty to our beliefs and roots.
I wish that the sacrifices made, the prayers made, and the kindness shown will further strengthen peace, harmony, and mutual respect in our society. May this holiday bring abundant sustenance to our homes, and comfort and peace to our hearts.
In particular, let us appreciate this day as an opportunity to support those in need, to bring smiles to the faces of orphans and the homeless. Because true sacrifice is not only about distributing meat, but also about winning people’s hearts, giving them joy and hope.
May Allah accept all our prayers, our fasts, and our sacrifices.
Happy Eid al-Adha!
Azer Askerov
This year, the coincidence of Nowruz , the harbinger of the awakening of nature, and Ramadan , the peak of spiritual purity, has become a double holiday for our people.
Both Novruz and Ramadan are holidays of renewal, kindness, and sharing. Novruz is a symbol of our national identity inherited from our ancestors, and Ramadan is an unshakable pillar of our faith. The month of Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food at certain times, but also about cleansing the soul, curbing the ego, and testing the will. Fasting teaches us to be grateful, to appreciate what we have, and to be compassionate towards those in need.
This year, our tables are rich with both the freshness of the sky and the blessings of iftar.
At a time when wars, humanitarian crises, and religious and ethnic conflicts are taking place in different parts of the world, the sound of the call to prayer in Azerbaijan in harmony with the songs of spring is an indicator of the power of our state. The independent and courageous policy pursued by the Honorable President Mr. Ilham Aliyev has protected our country from external threats and turned it into an island of stability.
As a businessman, I can say with deep conviction that peace and stability in our society, and the strength and power of our state, create favorable conditions and opportunities for economic development and an entrepreneurial environment that makes significant contributions to this development.
Today, in our lands liberated from occupation – in Shusha, Agdam, Khankendi, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli, Zangilan, Khojaly, Agdere, Kalbajar, Lachin – we light Novruz bonfires and perform Ramadan prayers in our liberated mosques. This is the greatest proof of both our political and spiritual victory.
As a veteran judoist, I feel proud and happy about the achievements in this sport in our country. The period from the last Novruz to the present day has been very successful for Azerbaijani judo. The medals won in international arenas, the magnificent victories in the world and European championships demonstrate the determination of our youth and the care of our state for sports. Every success of our judoists on the tatami is a reflection of the common spirit of victory of our people in sports.
Our prayers this year are for the blessings of our tables and the further flourishing of our homeland. May Allah Almighty accept all our fasts and prayers, and may the spring-breathing Novruz bring constant happiness to our country!
Happy holiday!
Azer Askerov
Azerbaijani judokas achieved great success at this year’s next “Grand Slam” tournament held in the capital of Uzbekistan. The achievement at the Paris tournament a month earlier was repeated with a bang. Azerbaijani judokas are capable of competing with athletes from any country on the world stage and even defeating their highest title holders. This was proven once again in Tashkent.
I am not highlighting ours, that is, as a representative of the “Judo club 2012”, but the fact that Murad Fatiyev (-90 kg) defeated the two-time Olympic champion from Georgia, Lasha Bekauri, in the final and won the gold medal is a great achievement for Azerbaijani judo. Murad is a very determined and strong athlete, and has recently taken his rightful place in the national team. I believe that he will justify our hopes in future international competitions.
The fact that other members of the national team – Ahmed Yusifov (-60 kg) and Omar Rajabli (-81 kg), Kenan Nasibov (+100 kg) won gold, Balabey Agayev (-60 kg) silver, Zelim Kotsoyev (-100 kg) and Jamal Gamzatkhanov (+100 kg) bronze medals – is a clear indication of the continuous development of judo in Azerbaijan.
Our national team, which set off for Tashkent with 8 athletes, finished the prestigious competition among 39 countries with 4 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals, taking second place in the team standings after Japan, the creator of judo, and first place in the men’s competition. This will always be remembered as one of the bright pages of our judo annals.
The current successes of Azerbaijani judo are the result of the attention and care shown to the sport by our state, the systematic work carried out by the Azerbaijan Judo Federation and the selfless work of coaches. These successes, at the same time, increase the interest of young people in sports, inspire them to a healthy lifestyle and victories.
I believe that our judokas will continue to successfully perform in the world arenas, raise the flag of Azerbaijan high and further increase the fame of our judo school. The magnificent victory in Tashkent gives reason to say this. I heartily congratulate our athletes, their coaches, the federation leadership and the Azerbaijani judo family who worked hard for this success!
Azer Askerov
