Azizjon Kamilov, President of the Judo Federation of Uzbekistan, visited the training center for national judo teams on 16 September.

Vice President of Azerbaijan Judo Federation Elnur Mammadli and Executive Vice President Rashad Rasullu informed the guest about modern conditions created for athletes at the training center, as well as the work and projects carried out by the Federation to develop judo sport in our country.

During the meeting, they discussed mutual exchange of experience, organization of joint training camps and opportunities for cooperation to strengthen the development of judo in both countries. The exchange of experience in modern coaching methods and athlete development programs were also highlighted as the main areas of cooperation.

It should be noted that according to the Memorandum of Cooperation between Azerbaijan Judo Federation and Uzbekistan Judo Federation, signed in October 2022, five mutual joint training camps have been organized so far, as well as participation of athletes in international competitions held in both countries has been ensured. In addition, there is an active exchange of mutual experience between the Federations.

Given the fact that the World Championship will be held in far away America and the venue is well above sea level, the delegation was sent to Lima eight days early in order to adapt to the environment.

Four members of the national team, consisting of only boys, participated in the World Championship with a team of seven people, eventually managed to make it to the podium.

Among them, having defeated all his opponents, Nihad Mamishov (55kg) and Jasur Ibadli (73kg) won gold medals, while Mahammadali Husiyev (50kg) and Mehdi Abbasov (81kg) won bronze medals. At the same time, Azerbaijan took the 2nd place among 48 countries in the team scoring, losing only to Japan, while in the men’s ranking it took the 1st place ahead of all countries, including Japan.

Nihad Mamishov, one of our champions, became world champion for the second time. Another remarkable thing about our 17-year-old athlete, who won all his five matches during the championships by ippon, was that he won all his victories on the ne-wasa position. Mamishov’s high performance in the Peruvian capital did not escape the attention of the International Judo Federation (IJF). Thus, a post on IJF’s official social media page with the headline “ne-waza-baijan” was met with interest.

In particular, our other champion, Jasur Ibadli, fought with great tenacity and determination, and  made history as the first world junior champion of Azerbaijan in the 73kg weight category. 

As for our other medalists, Mahamadali Husiyev won the bronze medal of the World Championship when he was only 15 years old.

In June this year, he finished third on the podium at the European Championships organized in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.

The bronze medal of Mehdi Abbasov, who has won high places in several European Cup tournaments, is also a first. Thus, he became the first Azerbaijani teenager to win the World Championship award in the 81kg weight category.

We congratulate our athletes and wish them new victories!

On 31 August, a meeting was held between the Executive Committee of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation (AJF) with coach-instructors. The meeting was attended by AJF President Rashad Nabiyev, members of the Executive Committee and coach-instructors from different regions of the country. During the meeting, views were exchanged on the development and popularization of judo sport in the country, proposals and recommendations of the participants were heard.

In his speech, AJF President Rashad Nabiyev emphasized that coaches play an important role in the development of judo in Azerbaijan and in the successes achieved at international level. It was noted that in accordance with the sports policy of Mr. President Ilham Aliyev, the main goal of the Federation is not only to win medals, but also support the growth of future generations as healthy and worthy citizens. The AJF President stressed the great responsibility of coaches in this mission and said: “Our coaches should contribute to the education of citizens responsible for our country. A good coach completes the work of parents, contributes to the healthy growth of our children and good parenting.” 

It was stated that one of the main objectives is to attract girls to judo. The ongoing efforts in this direction are already yielding results and the activities in this direction will be continued.

As a result of discussions held during the meeting, it was noted that the AJF will constantly organize educational events for the professional development of coaches. In addition, the Federation will support the improvement of the material and technical base of judo halls. In order to further popularize judo throughout the country, activities will be carried out in the direction of increasing the number of clubs and opening new judo halls in regions where there are no judo divisions.

Besides, in order to ensure quality judo training and maintain the professional standards in judo coaching, it was emphasized that a process of certification and licensing of coaches will be implemented from 2025, and a unified teaching methodology designed for different age categories will be developed. 

The proposals put forward during the meeting will be added to the Federation’s work program after appropriate analysis by the Federation Secretariat and will be implemented as planned.

As a result, it was decided to hold such meetings with coach-instructors on a regular basis.

On August 30, a new Judo Training Center was opened in Gusar at the initiative of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation (AJF).

The opening ceremony was attended by Olympic champions Nazim Huseynov, Elnur Mammadli, Hidayat Heydarov, Zelim Kotsoyev, head of the Executive Power of  Gusar region Sahir Mammadkhanov, AJF Executive Vice President Rashad Rasullu, representatives of the Federation and other officials. They got acquainted with the conditions created in the Center.

The Center covers an area of  520 sq.m. and includes judo and physical training halls with an area of  250 sq.m. The main hall is equipped with tatami mats from German company Zebra, the official supplier of the International Judo Federation. The physical training hall is also equipped with all the necessary equipment.

The building also has a waiting room, gym hall and changing rooms. In addition, extensive landscaping work was carried out around the Center.

One of the main directions of the work of Azerbaijan Judo Federation is the development of judo in regions and improvement of infrastructure. In 2022–2024, the AJF opened judo halls in Ganja, Aghstafa, Zagatala, Goranboy, Aghali village of Zangilan region, Sabirabad, Zira settlement of Baku city and Sumgait.

Rashad Rasullu noted that improvement of material and technical base in regions and general development of judo in the country are very important for AJF.

“This is the main area of   our activity. Starting from 2022, the Federation provided about 6,500 tatami  mats to 90 gyms in Baku and  regions, and 1,300 young athletes were given the opportunity to train for free. Judo halls will also be opened in other regions in the near future. Work in this direction is carried out on the basis of the program adopted by the Federation. Special attention was paid to regions with great potential, but which do not yet have judo divisions.  New halls are planned to be built in Jalilabad, Shabran, Imishli and other regions in the near future.”