2024-05-04 17:25:06
“It’s a really great feeling. I don’t know how to explain, but I just can’t stop smiling.”
As reported by İdman.biz, European champion Eljan Hajiyev (90 kg) stated this after his victory in Zagreb.
The Azerbaijani judoka admitted that he expected to compete for a place in the final. “I wanted to go systematically from fight to fight, defeating opponents and moving through the bracket. It was not easy, but I always dreamed of becoming a European champion,” said Gadzhiev.
Speaking about the fights, the athlete added that the most difficult was the opening match with Croatian Josip Bulic. “This usually happens because the body is just getting into the competitive rhythm. Therefore, the first contraction is something of an adaptation process. But after the opening match, I began to open up,” Gadzhiev emphasized.
He also commented on the victory over Olympic champion Lasha Bekauri. “I fought him in the final of the Grand Slam tournament in Tbilisi, where I lost. I had a sprained toe at the time and wanted a rematch. Therefore, I am grateful that this worked out,” added Eljan.
He emphasized that moving up to 90 kg turned out to be the right step. “I had to lose a lot of weight. When I competed in the 81kg category, I could give about 70% even on my best day. When you have big dreams and a strong team, anything is possible, including changing weight and becoming European champion. My dream is to win all three titles. I am still young and now in the weight category up to 90 kg I can use all my strength. I think that this weight is the best for me,” Gadzhiev concluded in an interview with the website of the European Judo Union.
İdman.biz