Across the three boys’ weight categories on display during the opening day of the Millennium Team European Judo Championships Cadets Skopje 2025, Azerbaijan claimed glory in all! Step by step, round by round, they dominated the field, culminating in back-to-back victories and consecutive renditions of their national anthem.
The first set of finals, the -50kg category, featured Anar Guliyev (AZE) and Julius Kitagawa (GER) going head-to-head, but not for long. Guliyev ended the contest in just 38 seconds with a spectacular uchi-mata, bringing the Azerbaijani team to their feet in a standing ovation. The bronze medals went to Ilia Toptygin (GER) and Coen Gilbert (GBR).
The final of the -55kg category offered Azerbaijan a second shot at gold, with Rasul Alizada (AZE) facing Matteo Gualandi (ITA). The contest opened with a penalty apiece, both of which were soon withdrawn. Just before the two-minute mark, Alizada scored a yuko with a sharp uchi-mata. He held onto his lead for the remainder of the bout, securing victory and delivering Azerbaijan’s second gold of the day. His first words were off the mat: “Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan. I hope you will continue to work even better and achieve even better results.”
He added: “Today was not easy at all. All of my matches were difficult, but my first one was the most difficult, against Sarkisian. Although it was difficult, I managed to win, and after that, I prepared with even greater motivation and achieved even greater results.”
“Of course, when we arrived to the finals, we [referring to his teammates] promised each other that we would give three gold medals on the same day, Anar Guliyev and I, and also Alaskarov Zeyd. Anar Guliyev kept his word again, he became the champion. I told him that I would also be the champion. After me, Alaskarov Zeyd is also in the final. Good luck to him too, I hope. Of course, Alaskarov Zeyd will come with our greatest motivation“, Alizada said before the final of the -60kg category was completed. Bronze medal winners of the -55kg division were claimed by Artur Sarkisian (IJF) and Titouan Lucas (FRA).
So there it was, the final of the -60kg category. Zeyd Alasgarov (AZE) and Tsotne Ichkitidze (GEO) stepped onto the tatami for the final bout of the day, the last fight, the last chance for a triple triumph. Right up until the final minute, the outcome was anyone’s guess, but with reinforced determination and sharp follow-up in ne-waza, Alasgarov brought the contest to a close, securing victory with a perfectly executed osae-komi-waza, the final action of the day. Bronze medallist of the -60kg category are Raffaele Sodano (ITA) and Fedora Ferenc (HUN).
Nijat Shikhalizada, cadet coach of the Azerbaijan team, was all smiles as he shared his emotions after a spectacular day, but first, he was playfully asked: what’s the secret behind today’s magic?
“Magic?!” he laughed. “There’s no magic, just hard work. A lot of it. Still…” he admitted, “we didn’t expect this many medals. We were hoping for two… and in total, we got six! We are absolutely over the moon. It is only day one, and we have already outdone ourselves. Tomorrow, we go again.”
Indeed, Azerbaijan topped the overall medal table with three golds, one silver, and two bronzes. Türkiye followed closely behind with one gold and two silvers, while the International Judo Federation team claimed third place with one gold and three bronzes.
Images: Gabi Juan / Carlos Ferreira
Author: Szandra Szogedi