Hidayat Heydarov rules U73kg weight class with third European title

Hidayat Heydarov of Azerbaijan successfully defended his 2023 title in the -73kg category at the European Championships in Zagreb. Facing Daniel Lavrentyev, the neutral athlete, in their first head-to-head competition, Heydarov displayed his experience, though Lavrentyev put up a strong fight. Despite Lavrentev receiving two shidos during regular time and another in golden score, Heydarov faced pressure himself, earning a shido for false attack. However, he rallied and ultimately secured victory with an ippon after disqualification, claiming his fourth European Championship title.

Heydarov expressed his joy at the win, highlighting it as another historic success for Azerbaijan's judo scene. This victory adds to his previous triumphs, including his first European title in Warsaw in 2017 and a Grand Slam triumph in Baku in 2024. Looking ahead, Heydarov aims for further success at the upcoming World Championships and the Olympics, emphasizing his love for historic achievements and setting new records.

In the U73kg category, Joan-Benjamin Gaba of France secured a bronze medal against Finland's Valtteri Olin. Gaba's journey to this contest was notable, particularly after losing a tough semi-final against Daniil Lavrentev. He clinched the bronze with a well-executed low ashi guruma technique. Following this, Lasha Shavdatuashvili of Georgia claimed his fifth European medal by employing a combination of techniques. He attacked with uchi mata before seamlessly transitioning to o uchi gari against Adil Osmanov of Moldova.