Azerbaijan's judo champion Heydarov shortlisted for athlete of the year title

Hidayat Heydarov, a member of Azerbaijan's national judo team, remains a strong contender for the prestigious "Judo Athlete of the Year" title.

The 73 kg judoka has been named among the three finalists, all of whom are Olympic champions. 

Alongside Heydarov, Georgian judoka Lasha Bekauri (90 kg) and Yeldos Smetov from Kazakhstan (60 kg) have also been shortlisted for the honour.

The final decision will be made during the Grand Slam tournament in Paris, scheduled for February 1-2, as announced by the International Judo Federation.

Note that, Hidayat Heydarov has won the gold medal in judo at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Heydarov triumphed over Joan-Benjamin Gaba of France in the final, securing his place as an Olympic champion.

Heydarov's victory in the final was a significant milestone for the Azerbaijani athlete. The match saw Heydarov display remarkable skill and determination, ultimately leading to his triumph over Gaba.

By Aghakazim Guliyev