Emin Iskandarov: 'We believed in success of our judokas at European Championships'

The high level of training of Azerbaijani judokas made it possible to expect a successful performance at the European Championship, Emin Iskandarov, head coach of the Azerbaijani youth judo team, said while commenting on the national team's historic achievement of winning 10 medals at the European Championships in Spain, Report informs.

According to Iskandarov, the team was represented in seven weight categories at the continental championships:

"We lost only in one weight category – 60 kg. The most gratifying thing is that our athletes won medals in all the other categories, achieving a historic result.

Due to the very high level of the European Championship, frankly, we didn't expect such a successful performance. Our results in the 73, 81, and 90 kg weight categories were particularly surprising. Last year, our performance in these weight categories was weak. We won three gold medals, but were left without medals in the heavier weight categories.

This year, our success in the heavyweight category was a real breakthrough. Our athletes demonstrated a high level. Both Nihad Aghayev and Farid Rzazade performed very well and outperformed their opponents. Farid's first bout was against an Armenian athlete. He had already defeated him at the tournament in Tbilisi, and managed to do so again at the European Championships."

The coach also noted the special atmosphere of the finals: "The most pleasant thing was that during the final, the entire arena applauded both of our athletes. This was a truly remarkable moment, demonstrating the high level of Azerbaijani judo.

Now our athletes will get some rest. From July 20 to August 1, we will hold a training camp, after which we will begin preparations for the World Championships in Ecuador."

Zahra Guliyeva (up to 40 kg) and Nihad Aghayev (up to 50 kg) became European champions. Silver medals were won by Farid Rzazade (up to 50 kg), Sadig Mammadov (up to 73 kg), and Omar Akhundov (up to 90 kg). Bronze medalists included Ibrahim Talibov (up to 55 kg), Konul Eyvazli (up to 48 kg), Ilkin Garayev (up to 66 kg), Aykhan Hasanli, and Yagub Mammadov.