Trautman assesses Agayev and Heydarov’s performances at Baku worlds

Richard Trautman, performance director of Azerbaijan’s judo teams and head coach of the men’s national team, assessed the athletes’ performances at a news conference reviewing the Baku 2026 World Championships.

The German coach said they had hoped 60kg competitor Balabay Agayev would become world champion, but added that defeat is something that can happen in judo. According to Trautman, there is no room for mistakes in the sport, and that is one of the factors that makes judo compelling.

Trautman also addressed the failure of Hidayat Heydarov, a world, European and Olympic champion, to win a medal at the championships in Baku. He noted that accepting such a result can be particularly difficult for decorated athletes competing on home soil.

According to the coach, Heydarov and Zelim Kotsoev said they wanted to compete at the Grand Slam tournament in Tokyo. They intend to prove themselves in Japan and show they are stronger than the local athletes. Trautman said he supported their approach.