Omar Rajabli dedicates world bronze medal to his father

Azerbaijani judoka Omar Rajabli dedicated the bronze medal he won at the world championships in Baku to his father. The athlete, who competed in the 81kg category, made the remarks to journalists after the event.

Rajabli said winning a medal had made him happy. His father, Elkhan Rajabli, won bronze at the world championships 25 years ago, and matching that result held special meaning for him, he said. The judoka emphasized that his father had always supported him.

The Azerbaijani representative had aimed to win gold at the tournament but fell short. Rajabli said the result had turned out as it did and noted that this was his first appearance at the senior world championships.

He said he had previously lost twice at the European championships, but ended that run of disappointments in Baku. Omar Rajabli is the son of veteran Azerbaijani judoka Elkhan Rajabli, who won bronze at the 2001 world championships in Germany.