"The Azerbaijani national team is in good form. We expect the judokas to perform successfully at the European Championship."
Idman.biz reports that this was said by the vice-president of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation, Elnur Mammadli.
Watching the open practice of the Azerbaijan national team today, the Olympic champion assessed the preparation of our team for the European Championship to be held in Zagreb, Croatia on April 25-27. Mammadli said that the men's team will be represented by the maximum number of 9 athletes: "We have won licenses in almost all weights. Now the question is who will go to the Olympics. Therefore, the trip to Zagreb is a chance for judokas to show themselves and try to get a good result."
Mammadli also touched on the leaders of the team: "Hidayat Heydarov, who performs at 73 kg, is the leader of the world ranking. Zelym Kotsoiev is the second in 100 kg. Both were European champions last year. They have a good chance to succeed again."
Mammadli emphasized that the athletes are well aware of the responsibility before the preparation for the Olympics: "Everyone is training with all their strength. There are not many races left. The coaching staff will make the final decision about the team that will go to Paris."
Zaki Feyzullayev
Idman.biz
