Hidayat Heydarov in exctasy after Olympic title

Hidayat Heydarov is a name that will now go down in Azerbaijan's Olympic history. It has been 16 years since Azerbaijan claimed an Olympic title in judo, and it came from the same -73kg category. The last title winner, Elnur Mammadli, was present in the stands during each of Heydarov’s contests, having served as his personal coach in this past cycle. The collaboration between Heydarov and Mammadli has paid off in ways they may never have imagined.

Heydarov can boast three major wins this year: a European, World, and Olympic title. The world number one was a favourite for Olympic glory in Paris, but as history has shown, anything can happen on the day. Meeting Heydarov in the final was the underdog of the category, ranked #35 in the world, Joan-Benjamin Gaba, who was only in the Olympic lineup due to French representation.

The home crowd had something to cheer for in the first semifinal match, which was between Gaba and Osmanov. At the start of the day, nobody would have predicted these two would be fighting for a spot in the final match of the day. Osmanov had done well all day, playing the tactical game and winning on penalties. Gaba knew how to play the tactical game too but he is skillful as well and it showed in this match. First, he rolled Osmanov over with a Huizinga Roll and pinned him for nearly an ippon (19 seconds). Next, he threw Osmanov with an extremely crowd-pleasing sode-tsurikomi-goshi that had the Moldovan flying through the air. Dreams do come through. Gaba had earned his spot in the gold medal match.

The second semifinal saw a bruising battle between Gjakova and Heydarov. Both are big throwers but with a spot in the final at stake, both played a somewhat more tactical match and didn't really go for the big throws. A minute-and-a-half into Golden Score, with two shidos apiece, Heydarov dropped under Gjakova and rotated him with a drop seoi-nage. Heydarov was headed to the final.

In the first bronze medal match, between Lombardo and Osmanov, it was the Italian who looked to be the aggressor. You felt at any given moment, he would launch into a major attack that would have the Moldovan flying. But at the two-minute mark, Osmanov launched into a fully-committed ouchi-gari that absolutely floored Lombardo. Because Lombardo did not fall squarely on his back, the referee gave waza-ari but the video panel decided the throw deserved to be given an ippon. They say you always save the best for last. Osmanov had won matches all day without getting a single score. But in his final match of the day, he scored an ippon.

Hashimoto likes scoring early and he did that with Gjakova in their bronze medal match. In fact, he scored literally in the opening seconds with a dynamic seoi-otoshi for waza-ari. He wasn't able to get another score after that but it didn't matter. Time ran out and he got his bronze.

The Heydarov vs Gaba match was bound to be a tactical one and it dragged very deep into Golden Score, where both players accrued two shidos each. After more than five minutes had elapsed, Heydarov went for broke and lunched into a fully committed ouchi-gari into kosoto-gake combination that worked brilliantly. He scored ippon and became an Olympic Champion.

Profile Heydarov

Born in 1997, in Goychay, Azerbaijan, Heydarov has risen to the pinnacle of his sport. His list of accomplishments includes a gold medal at the 2024 World Championships in Abu Dhabi and three World Championship bronze medals (2018, 2019, 2022). He is also a four-time European champion (2017, 2022, 2023, 2024) and a seven-time Grand Slam winner, including four victories in Baku.

Heydarov's journey to the final was impressive. He first defeated the 2012 Olympic Champion and three-time Olympic medallist, Lasha Shavdatuashvili of Georgia, in the opening contest. He then overcame Japan's Hashimoto Soichi in the quarter-final, demonstrating his determination and skill. Another victory in the semi-final against Adil Osmanov from Moldova guaranteed him a medal spot, much to the delight of the French team.

In the final, Heydarov faced a man with nothing to lose. The pressure was immense as the contest went into golden score, with both judokas accumulating two shidos each. The crowd at Champ de Mars Arena was on the edge of their seats, believing the gold could be celebrated on home soil. After 5:25 of extra time, Heydarov executed a ko soto that secured the gold medal.

Heydarov began judo in 2004 at the Kanokan TT Club in Azerbaijan, encouraged by his father, who wanted him to be able to defend himself. He now trains at the Neftchi Sport Club under the guidance of personal coach Tarlan Hasanov and national coach Richard Trautmann. His preferred technique is kata-guruma.

Heydarov is married to Leyla Shahin and is supported by his parents and sisters. He studied at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Physical Education and Sport. Outside of judo, he enjoys listening to techno and afro music, shopping, and follows a simple belief: "I believe in God only." His sporting philosophy, "From nothing, to something, to everything," reflects his journey and achievements.

As soon as he left the tatami, Heydarov headed straight for Mammadli and his team to celebrate this historic moment.

At home in Azerbaijan his family went nuts and enjoyed the incredible moment on TV. Their son became Olympic legend.