National judoka shines at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Azerbaijani judoka has started his quest for Olympic medals with victories.

In the quarterfinals, Rustam Orujov (73 kg) defeated Somon Makhmadbekov (Tajikistan). He also eliminated Russian judoka Musa Mogushkov in the sixteenth final.

Unfortunately, the national judoka lost to Japan's Shohei Ono at the Tokyo-2020 Olympic Games quarterfinals.

Next, Orujov will face Akil Gyakov (Kosovo) in a consolation bout.

Rustam Orujov is the silver medalist of the 2016 Summer Olympics in the men's 73 kg event.

For almost 21 years, Orujov continues to achieve global success, enriching the country's medal haul with new victories.

Some 44 athletes are representing the country at the Summer Olympics being held from July 23 to August 8.

Nine judokas, seven wrestlers, five athletes in rhythmic gymnastics group performances, one athlete in individual all-around competitions, five boxers, three karate fighters, two athletes, two swimmers, two taekwondo fighters, two athletes in artistic gymnastics, one sport shooter, one road cycler, one fencer, one badminton player, one triathlete and one trap shooter are striving for victory in

Japan.

National judoka Rustam Orujov and taekwondo fighter Farida Azizova became standard-bearers for Azerbaijan.

They were accompanied by a delegation of 24 people, along with the chief de-mission of the national team and the sports manager of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Farid Mansurov.

At the parade, the Azerbaijani team was the fifth in a row after Greece, the team of refugees formed by the International Olympic Committee, Iceland, and Ireland.

International Olympic Committee has allowed athletes to temporarily go without masks during the Tokyo Games.

The victory ceremony protocol was adapted to make it possible for media representative to take photos of athletes while they are celebrating the proudest moment of their careers.

Moreover, the silver and bronze medalists now have permission to join the winner for a group photo on the podium's gold-medal step.

Formerly scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 9 2020, the event was postponed amid COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite being rescheduled for 2021, the event retains the Tokyo 2020. This is the first time that the Olympic Games have been postponed and rescheduled, rather than cancelled.

International Olympic Committee has allowed athletes to temporarily go without masks during the Tokyo Games.