Azerbaijani judokas enjoyed an impressive medal haul in 2025. According to data from the judoinside portal, which tracks results at senior, cadet, junior, and veteran levels, Azerbaijani athletes won a total of 205 medals during the year. This tally includes 59 gold, 48 silver, and 98 bronze awards.
As reported by İdman.biz, these statistics, which combine results not only of senior national teams but also of younger age groups, clearly demonstrate positive development. Notably, several athletes stood out in more than one age category. In particular, Kanan Nasibov (+100 kg) won the European Under-23 Championship before going on to claim gold at the Zagreb Grand Prix.
On several occasions, Azerbaijan topped the overall team standings at international tournaments. One of the most notable performances came at the Guadalajara Grand Prix, where the team collected six gold and three bronze medals. The victory in Mexico marked the first post-Olympic triumph for Hidayat Heydarov (73 kg). Other gold medalists included another Olympic champion, Zelim Kotsoiev (100 kg), as well as Balabay Aghayev (60 kg), Ruslan Pashayev (66 kg), Vusal Galandarzade (81 kg), and Ushangi Kokauri (+100 kg).
It is worth noting that in the first half of the year alone, Azerbaijani judokas won 94 medals (32 gold, 31 silver, and 61 bronze) on the international stage. The medal count was significantly boosted at the European Cadet Championships in Skopje, where the team secured three gold, one silver, and three bronze medals. Gold medals were won by Anar Guliyev (50 kg), Rasul Alizade (55 kg), and Zeyd Aleskerov (60 kg), while Narmin Aghamirzazade (48 kg) claimed silver. Gulshan Huseynova (44 kg) and Leyla Alekperova (48 kg) also reached the podium with bronze medals.
Performances on the World Tour were another key component of the year’s success. Ranking tournaments brought Azerbaijani judokas 33 medals (11 gold, six silver, and 16 bronze). In the Grand Slam series, Ruslan Pashayev (66 kg) triumphed in Paris, Zelim Tskayev (81 kg) won gold in Baku, Balabay Aghayev (60 kg) claimed first place in Dushanbe, and Eldjan Hajiyev (90 kg) made a victorious return after injury in Astana.
At the same time, the number of medals won in women’s competitions increased. Kenul Aliyeva (48 kg) finished on the podium at the Lima Grand Prix before taking silver at the Islamic Solidarity Games, where Sudaba Aghayeva (70 kg) won gold. Aidan Valiyeva (52 kg) also stood out with a bronze medal in Riyadh.
Based on the overall results of the year, Azerbaijan finished 12th in the global judo medal standings. France topped the table with an outstanding total of 187 gold, 170 silver, and 268 bronze medals. Brazil ranked second (101-72-128), while judokas competing under the International Judo Federation flag completed the top three with 99 gold, 58 silver, and 121 bronze medals.
Zaki Feyzullayev
