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Judo Grand Slam Baku: A golden day for Azerbaijan

On the second day of the Baku Grand Slam 2022, the Heydar Aliyev Stadium was filled with the deafening cheers of the fans.

A strong Inbal Shemesh deftly countered Geke van den Berg of the Netherlands, the Israeli taking her second Grand Slam title in the under 63kg category.

I always get emotional. I enjoy what I do and when it’s going so well, I can’t keep it together, it just comes out that way.

-Inbal Shemesh-
Israeli gold medallist

Local matador Hidayat Heydarov made his way into the final of the athletes up to 73kg thanks to brilliant technique. All of Azerbaijan seemed to be waiting for his victory, the spectators made the stadium shake as Heydarov gave them what they wanted to see!

I won the Baku Grand Slam once again, and to win in front of such a passionate home crowd, it’s indescribable.

-Hidayat Heydarov-
Azerbaijani judo local hero

Under 70kg Olympic and world champion Sanne Van Dijke of the Netherlands won over Gabriella Willems of Belgium – her third Grand Slam gold.

Olympic silver medallist Saied Mollaei took his first gold medal in three years under 81 kilograms, for Azerbaijan the now third in the tournament.

The other male and female athletes on the Azerbaijani team also gave the enthusiastic fans plenty to cheer about, with some incredible ippons in both the men’s and women’s events.

For hosts Azerbaijan, it is already one of the r most successful Baku Grand Slam’s ever – and the appropriate way to celebrate 50 years of judo in Azerbaijan.

By Klaus