National judokas given heroes’ welcome in Baku
By Rashid Shirinov
Azerbaijani judokas were met by a big crowd in the country’s capital city of Baku as they return from the Rio Summer Games, where they won silver medals.
Judokas Rustam Orujov (73 kg) and Elmar Gasimov (100 kg), who become the silver medalists of the 31st summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, returned home on August 14.
Members of the Youth and Sports Ministry, National Olympic Committee, Judo Federation, representatives of sports community, friends and fans of the athletes welcomed the Olympic medalists with a ceremony organized at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.
Gasimov, who talked to reporters, spoke about his trainings and joy of victory in Rio.
"I went to Brazil to be a champion. But something went wrong, not the way I expected. Despite this, I managed to wave our tri-color flag in Rio. That is a very proud feeling."
Orujov, in turn, thanked his personal coach for his achievement in Rio.
"I easily won in four fights. The most difficult match was the final fight against the Japanese rival,” he recalled.
Azerbaijan’s Olympic team includes six freestyle wrestlers, eight Greco-Roman wrestlers, 11 boxers, six judoists, five oarsmen, four athletes, four taekwondo fighters, three gymnasts, three cyclists, two swimmers and one athlete per each in fencing, triathlon, archery and shooting. The country is represented for the first time in triathlon, archery, track cycling and canoe slalom.
Of those fifty six athletes, thirty six participate in Olympic Games for the first time.
Azerbaijan is represented by three referees at competitions in wrestling, gymnastics and boxing. Azerbaijani team is accompanied by 34 coaches, six doctors, physiotherapists and technicians.
The 31st Summer Olympic Games will end on Aug. 21, while the 15th Summer Paralympic Games will take place on Sept. 7-18.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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