Elnur Mammadli backs Hidayat Heydarov and Zelim Tckaev

Azerbaijan Judo Federation Vice President Elnur Mammadli has backed Hidayat Heydarov and Zelim Tckaev. Speaking at a news conference on the results of the World Championships, he stressed the need to assess athletes’ performances with an understanding of individual circumstances.

Mammadli said Heydarov and Tckaev are Olympic and world champions, but it is unreasonable to expect athletes to achieve the same results every year and at every competition. He said he had also practised judo and understood the challenges athletes face.

According to the vice president, an athlete may fall short of a desired result because of illness, injury or other reasons. Such circumstances should therefore be met with understanding. Mammadli called preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles one of the main goals and asked: “What will those criticizing Hidayat Heydarov and Zelim Tckaev today say if they become Olympic champions?”

The World Judo Championships were held in Baku from October 4 to 11. Azerbaijan’s team won one gold, two silver and four bronze medals, setting a national record at senior-level world championships. Ahmad Yusifov won gold; Zelim Tckaev and Ushangi Kokauri took silver; and Rashid Mammadaliyev, Omar Rajabli, Murad Fatıyev and Kenan Nasibov claimed bronze.