Today, the Judo Grand Slam tournament kicked off in Baku.
On the first day of the competition, winners will be determined across five weight categories, Idman.biz reports.
The Azerbaijani national team is represented by 12 judokas in four of these weight categories.
Grand Slam Tournament Results:
Men
60kg
Balabay Agayev faced Mendsaikhan Nyamsuren from Mongolia in the 1/8 finals. After a victory, Agayev was later defeated by Ukrainian Dilshot Khalmatov. However, Agayev triumphed in the consolation round against Maximilian Heyder from Germany and will fight for a bronze medal. Jorre Verstraeten proved stronger, leaving Agayev in 5th place.
Ahmed Yusifov started strong by defeating Anvarjon Ibrohimov from Uzbekistan, but lost to Taiki Nakamura from Japan in the quarter finals. Despite this loss, Yusifov continued his bronze medal pursuit, defeating Emiel Jaring from the Netherlands. In the bronze medal match, Yusifov took revenge on Khalmatov (Ukraine), who had earlier defeated his teammate Agayev, securing Azerbaijan’s first medal of the tournament – a bronze.
Murad Muradli won against Tergelsar Munkhjargal from Mongolia but was subsequently defeated by Jorre Verstraeten from Belgium.
66kg
Elshan Asadov began the competition with a victory over Zamokshari Bekmurodov from Uzbekistan. He then defeated Strahinja Buncic from Serbia and David Garcia from Spain to reach the semifinals. His winning streak ended against Takeshi Takeoka (Japan), missing out on the final. Asadov will fight for bronze against Azizbek Ortikov (Uzbekistan).
Ruslan Pashayev lost in the first match to Azizbek Ortikov from Uzbekistan.
Yashar Najafov was unable to prevail against Ivan Chernykh (IJF) in the 1/8 finals.
Rashad Yelkiyev eliminated Giuseppe De Tullio from Italy in the first round but was defeated by Rufat Alaskerov (IJF) in the 1/8 finals.
Ruslan Pashayev was eliminated in his first match by Azizbek Ortikov (Uzbekistan).
Yashar Najafov lost in the round of 16 to Ivan Chernykh (IJF).
Rashad Yelkiyev defeated Giuseppe De Tulio (Italy) in his opening match but was later bested by Rufat Alaskharov (IJF) in the round of 16.
Women
48kg
Leyla Aliyeva was defeated by Giulia Giglione (Italy) in her first match.
Konul Aliyeva lost to Andrea Stoyadinov (Serbia).
Shafag Hamidova fell to Jacqueline Springer (Austria) in the round of 32.
57kg
Fidan Alizada started the Grand Slam with a victory over Gajic Jevgenija from Slovenia. However, she lost to Marica Perisic from Serbia in the 1/4 finals and to Seija Ballhaus from Germany in the consolation round.
Fidan Gasimova was defeated by Veronica Toniolo from Italy in the first match.
The competition features 258 judokas from 36 countries. Azerbaijan is participating with 32 athletes in the Grand Slam tournament.
Idman.biz
