Dushanbe Grand Slam Draw Determines First Opponents

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Italdizain and OMEGA Announce Partnership with Olympic Champion Hidayat Heydarov

On May 7, the Royal Collection boutique hosted a joint press conference featuring representatives from Italdizain – the official representative of the Swiss watchmaker OMEGA – and the Azerbaijan Judo Federation (AJF). Huseyn Zeynalli, a member of Italdizain’s Board of Directors, alongside Ulkar Abbasova, Marketing and Communications Manager for the AJF, solemnly unveiled the start of a partnership with the distinguished Azerbaijani athlete and Olympic judo champion, Hidayat Heydarov. The celebrated judoka officially became a Friend of the Brand for OMEGA in Azerbaijan.  

During the press conference, Huseyn Zeynalli highlighted the significance of this collaboration, emphasizing their shared values and the prospects for future joint initiatives. Hidayat Heydarov also took the stage, expressing his deep honor at joining a project that unites sports, achievements and the desire for excellence. 

A representative of the AJF noted that Hidayat Heydarov is one of Azerbaijan’s most decorated judokas. The athlete enjoyed an outstanding 2024 season, winning world, European, and Olympic titles. In addition, he was named “Judoka of the Year” by both the International Judo Federation and the European Judo Union. 

The alliance between the Azerbaijani Olympian and OMEGA is both intentional and symbolic. Boasting a heritage that spans over 175 years, the Swiss watchmaker has served as the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932, and the Paralympic Games since 1992. OMEGA made its Olympic timekeeping debut at the 1932 Los Angeles Games with 30 high-precision split-second chronographs, and was subsequently honored with the Olympic Cross of Merit in 1952. 

The partnership between the legendary watch brand and one of the most decorated judokas in Azerbaijani sporting history is a reflection of their mutual tenets: precision, discipline, endurance, and a relentless pursuit of perfection – the very virtues that bind the Olympic timekeeper to the Olympic champion. 

In judo – a martial art steeped in a centuries-old Eastern value system – time is as critical a factor as it is in sprinting or swimming. Within the span of a four-minute bout, athletes must summon their utmost potential, transcend their physical limits, and secure victory over their opponents. The mastery of every second and the razor-sharp focus during the match's decisive moments align the philosophy of judo with the principles of OMEGA. Since 2012, the brand has relied upon the Quantum timer, which is capable of capturing results with an extraordinary precision of up to one-thousandth of a second. 

As a newly appointed Friend of the Brand for OMEGA in Azerbaijan, Hidayat Heydarov selected the OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M Co‑Axial Master Chronometer. Featuring a striking 42 mm stainless steel case, anti-magnetic protection ensuring precision in any environment, and a water resistance of up to 300 meters, this watch perfectly mirrors the athlete’s own character, embodying his strength, power, reliability, and absolute control. Precision remains at the very core of this philosophy, as all OMEGA chronometers are certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). 

During the press conference at the Royal Collection boutique, a representative of Italdizain noted that this partnership will allow OMEGA, already well known to the Azerbaijani audience, to strengthen its presence on the local market and reinforce the brand’s image as a symbol of precision, innovation, and fine watchmaking. 

To explore OMEGA's collections and obtain further details, please visit the Royal Collection boutiques located at: 4, 28 May Street; 5B, Niyazi Street; and 3, Aziz Aliyev Street in Baku, Azerbaijan. For inquiries, please contact: +994 (12) 498-00-53, +994 (12) 492-76-42, +994 (10) 256 97 79. Official website: https://italdizain.az/ru/brands/omega  

07 MAY, 2026

Azerbaijan Win Five Medals on Opening Day in Gori

The Senior European Judo Cup has kicked off in Gori, Georgia. On the opening day, the Azerbaijan national team won a total of 5 medals — 1 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze.

Three of those medals came in the -66 kg weight category. Islam Rahimov defeated all his opponents to claim the gold medal. Elshan Asadov finished second and took silver, while Nizami Imranov secured bronze. The other bronze medals were won by Babarahim Mirzayev (-60 kg) and Rufat Shovlatov (-73 kg).

Ahead of the final day of competition, Azerbaijan ranks second among 18 countries in the medal standings by medal quality.

09 MAY, 2026

Nine Medals for Azerbaijan at Gori European Cup

The Senior European Judo Cup held in Gori, Georgia, has come to an end. On the final day of competition, four more Azerbaijani judoka stepped onto the podium.

Ajdar Baghirov defeated all his opponents in the -100 kg category to claim the gold medal. In the same weight division, Elmar Gasimov secured bronze. Khayyam Aliyev (-90 kg) and Diana Tchkayeva (-48 kg) also finished the tournament with bronze medals.

It should be recalled that on the opening day, Islam Rahimov (-66 kg) won gold, Elshan Asadov (-66 kg) claimed silver, while Babarahim Mirzayev (-60 kg), Nizami Imranov (-66 kg) and Rufat Shovlatov (-73 kg) earned bronze medals.

In total, Azerbaijan finished the tournament with 2 gold, 1 silver and 6 bronze medals, placing third in the overall team standings and second in the men’s competition.

10 MAY, 2026

On 30 April, the draw ceremony for the Dushanbe Grand Slam was held in the capital of Tajikistan. Following the draw, the first-round opponents of our judoka were determined.

Azerbaijan will be represented at the IJF World Judo Tour event by 6 judoka across 4 weight categories. A total of 240 athletes from 34 countries will compete in the tournament.

The preliminary rounds of the Dushanbe Grand Slam, taking place on 1–3 May, will start at 11:00, while the final block will begin at 16:00. The contests will be broadcast live on JudoTV and CBC Sport.

Men

-60 kg, round of 16
Murad Muradli – winner of Yan Motoli Bongambe (France) / Muhammadjon Masharipov (Uzbekistan)

-66 kg, round of 16
Nizami Imranov – Yerdaulet Bozsha (Kazakhstan)
Islam Rahimov – Nursultan Zayzagaliyev (Kazakhstan)

-73 kg, round of 16
Rashid Mammadaliyev – winner of Binyomin Nazirov (Tajikistan) / Vlad Mitru (Moldova)

+100 kg, round of 16
Ushangi Kokauri – Mohammadpouria Banaeyan Tolki (Iran)
Jamal Gamzatkhanov – Jovan Pekovic (Montenegro)