"I am thrilled to have reached such a remarkable milestone."
According to Idman.biz, Azerbaijan’s veteran judoka, Farhad Rajabli shared his excitement with Report after securing the world championship title in Las Vegas, USA.
The 65-year-old judoka reflected on his accomplishment, explaining his dedication to meeting the expectations of his supporters:
"This is my 12th world championship title. I competed in four matches, with my final opponent being the only familiar face. Despite this, I won every match with impressive performances. Three of my victories were by ippon, while one was won with a counter technique. Over the years, my fans, students, and close ones have come to expect only victories from me, and I strive to meet these expectations. This time, I succeeded."
Rajabli, who claimed the top spot in the M8 category, also received a special award:
"Our journey from Baku to the USA took 26 hours, with 18 of those spent in the air, which was exhausting, especially with a 12-hour time difference. I didn’t sleep the night before the tournament. Winning felt like conquering mountains. The International Judo Federation awarded me and two others a special recognition for winning over ten world titles. On the tournament’s second day, our young judoka, Mardan Gadirli, also claimed the championship title, showcasing remarkable skill. This event, popular among both youth and seniors, grows each year, although we are still catching up in terms of development."
Farhad Rajabli (90 kg) won his 12th veteran world championship title in Las Vegas. He is also a ten-time European champion.
Idman.biz
