Hidayet Heydarov (AZE) world leading in U73kg

Azerbaijan’s superstar, Hidayet Heydarov sits in pole position and has done for some months. He missed out on a medal at the world championships last year but became European champion, Tokyo Grand Slam champion and also won on home soil. He’s loved by the people of his country but also by those around the world who are fans of exciting judo. Heydarov brings sparkle and fun to the tatami and is nothing short of inspirational for the next generation.

Behind the Azeri, chasing the top seedings, are Japan’s Soichi Hashimoto, Yuldoshev (UZB) and Georgia’s hero Lasha Shavdatuashvili. It’s quite a line up, especially when we consider that looking just a little further down the list we find the current world champion Nils Stump (SUI), Italy’s golden boy Manuel Lombardo and Olympic medallists Cargnin (BRA) and Tsend-Ochir (MGL).

Profile Hidayet Heydarov

Azeri Heydarov captured the gold medal at the Grand Slam in Tokyo in 2023. He is triple European Senior champion in 2017 and 2022 and 2023. He won bronze at the World Championships in 2018, 2019 and 2022. He is the only male judoka ever to win all four different European titles in each age categort. Heydarov became World Junior Champion in Zagreb in 2017. In 2016 he won the Junior European title in 2016 and 2017. As a youngster he became European Cadet Champ in 2013 and 2014. He triumphed at the Grand Slam Baku in 2023 and 2021 and will soon try to keep the title in February.