Hidayet Heydarov exception at golden European Cup for Russia

Russia captured 38 out of the 62 medals and 12 of the available 14 medals at the fourth European Cup this season, in Orenburg. Just 18 countries were gathered in Orenburg and 222 participants, so obviously the Russians had a big stake in the medal table. Hidayet Heydarov of Azerbaijan was one of the exceptions who could escape the pressure of the Russians.

Heydarov won gold U73kg, it was the most crowded category with 31 judoka. It was the only category were there was no Russian on the stage. Heydarov defeated Vaclav Sedmidubsky (CZE) in the final. Lucas Otmane of France and Sarvar Shomurodov of Uzbekistan captured the bronze. For Heydarov it was his first victory in his new weight category. He couldn't hold his U66kg weight where he approached the senior level.

In the category U100kg Azerbaijan won its second gold medal as Zelym Kotsoiev won his final against Viktar Larchanka of Belarus. Austrian Laurin Boehler won bronze.

The winner in the weight category up to 60 kg Egor Tsvetkov was born in the Orenburg region. Last year he won bronze and now led in all four matches. "I had strong rivals. The silver medalist, the athlete from Azerbaijan Rasim Almammadov, has his own original techniques. I was watching him during the tournament, and some of his techniques had its effect”, said Tsvetkov.

2014 World Junior Champion Egor Mgdsyan won silver U66kg as he lost his final to Isa Isaev, both Russians. It was one of the four all Russian finals. In the women’s division even five, but all seven women’s categories were won by Russia.

The next European Cup is in Celje, with usually more than 300 participants and a wider spread distribution of the medals. Orenburg seemed the weakest of the twelve European Cups this season which kicked off in Uster and continued in Sarajevo and Dubrovnik.