World Judo Championships opens in Baku
One of the most grandiose events in the sports life of the country, 2018 World Judo Championships, has kicked off at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku on September 21.
One of the most grandiose events in the sports life of the country, 2018 World Judo Championships, has kicked off at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku on September 21.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and family members President of the International Judo Federation Marius Vizer, as well as state and government officials attended a solemn opening ceremony.
Prior to the event, a promotional video was screened, highlighting Azerbaijan’s historical monuments, development of sports, including judo in Azerbaijan, as well as the Azerbaijan hosted international sporting events.
Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation Rovnag Abdullayev said that under the wise leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, concern at the state level about physical culture and sports in Azerbaijan is growing.
“New sports complexes are being built, the material and technical base of sports is being strengthened, large projects are being implemented in this direction. Azerbaijan has already won the trust of international structures and holds many prestigious events at a high level. The first European games in 2015, fourth Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017, as well as European and world championships, held in our country in many kinds of sports, earned a deep respect of the sports community for the high level of organization,” he said.
Abdullayev noted that Azerbaijan organizes the World Championship in judo for the first time.
“I express my deep appreciation to the International Judo Federation for this great trust. I believe that this grandiose event will be of great importance from the point of view of wider propaganda of judo in our republic. We can say that judo is one of the popular sports in Azerbaijan,” he added.
Addressing the event, Marius Vizer, on behalf of the International Judo Federation, and in general, on behalf of the judo family, expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for the excellent organization of this grandiose event.
“Azerbaijan is not only a country with high economic indicators, but also a country that makes major investments in culture, sports, art and other spheres. Azerbaijan, which organizes many prestigious sports events, championships of Europe and the world, and also realizes many sports projects, is a state contributing to the development and prosperity in the world,” he said.
Concluding his speech, he wished successes to all in these competitions.
Then, Ilham Aliyev declared the 2018 World Judo Championships open.
As part of the ceremony, President Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and family members met with Marius Vizer. The high-level organization of the World Judo Championships in Baku was hailed in the course of the talks.
Azerbaijan was described as a venue which is regularly hosting major sporting events.
Azerbaijan`s contribution to international cooperation in the field of sport, state care of sport in the country and Azerbaijani athletes` great success were highlighted at the meeting.
Successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the International Judo Federation was praised, and the country was described as one of the active members of the organization. The sides expressed confidence that this cooperation will expand.
Mehriban Aliyeva was presented with Special Service Award of the International Fair Play Committee in recognition of her exemplary achievements in the world of sport and in the field of promoting fair play.
The opening ceremony also featured the performances of the Azerbaijani art figures. The event concluded with a concert by world-renowned Italian singer Al Bano.
President Aliyev and his family members also watched the bout in which Azerbaijan`s Hidayat Heydarov has taken a bronze medal by defeating Mongolian Tsogtbaatar Tsend-Ochir. It became Azerbaijan`s first medal at the World Judo Championships in Baku.
About 800 judokas from 125 nations will compete at the 2018 World Judo Championships, which will close on September 27. Azerbaijan's squad includes nine male and six female judokas.