2024-07-29 20:18:26
Dreams come true in Paris! Azerbaijani judoka Hidayat Heydarov (73 kg) did what he went to the Olympics for. At his debut Summer Games, he won a gold medal and 16 years later brought the country victory at the main start of the four-year period. And at the same time, he opened the scoring for the national team in Paris.
As reported by İdman.biz, the path to the final was quite difficult for Hidayat. However, it could not have been otherwise, given the status of the competition. Suffice it to say that on the way to the final, the world and European champion won all his victories in extra time. And this required excellent physical preparation, since not everyone can withstand such a marathon. The world champion beat Tohar Bitbul (Israel), Artur Margelidon (Canada) and Akil Gzhakov (Kosovo). Moreover, Heydarov won with his signature move, which has become his calling card.
The progress of the fight in the 73 kg category once again confirmed the unpredictability of the Olympics. Manuel Lombardo (Italy) and Soichi Hashimoto (Japan), who were considered the main favorites of Paris along with Hidayat, did not make it past the quarterfinals. And Lasha Shavdatuashvili (Georgia), who collected a full set of medals at the three previous Games, this time lost in the first round. His offender was the owner of the tatami, Joan-Benjamin Gaba, who then defeated Hashimoto. The Frenchman had not previously grabbed the stars from the sky, and distinguished himself in the elite only this year, when he won bronze at the European Championship.
Fighting in an Olympic final against a home favourite is always stressful. But Hidayat has shown time and again how accustomed he is to such an atmosphere. One can recall last year’s Grand Slam gold clash in Tokyo, where he defeated Hashimoto.
Of course, the intensity of the fight and emotions at the Games are incomparable with the World Tour competitions, but Heydarov’s character was forged over many years. And he did what he had been working towards for so long – he won Olympic gold 16 years after Elnur Mammadli’s victory in Beijing. Who is now his mentor and, of course, this is a dream tandem.
Over these six months, Hidayat has reaped a fantastic harvest: victory at the European and World Championships, and now Olympic gold! And there is no doubt that in four years in Los Angeles he will go for a second victory at the Games.
Zaki Feizullaev
İdman.biz