As the top seed, Heydarov found himself at the top of pool A, but that did not protect him from several difficult contests in the preliminaries. In round 2 he faced 8-time World Judo Tour medallist Akil Gjakova (KOS), who has recently seen an ascent towards his best form, but whom Heydarov threw twice in quick succession with his favoured kata-guruma to score waza-ari-awasete-ippon. 3-time grand slam bronze medallist Salvador Cases Roca (ESP) awaited in round 3; Heydarov defended well on the ground and eventually took a tactical victory over the Spaniard.
Heydarov’s quarter-final opponent would be the number eight seed and 2022 world bronze medallist Daniel Cargnin (BRA). The Azeri’s kata-guruma proved to be much too strong once again as Cargnin used his head to avoid a score from it, resulting in his disqualification. Everything was going to plan for Heydarov.
In pool B, the seeded players Murodjon Yuldoshev (UZB) and Behruzi Khojazoda (TJK) were beaten early on by Igor Wandtke (GER) and Erdenebayar Batzaya (MGL), respectively, who both advanced confidently to meet each other at the quarter-final stage. A counter from Wandtke in the third minute of that contest scored him a waza-ari and he bravely held on under pressure to set up a semi-final with Heydarov. The result mirrored that of Heydarov’s quarter-final; a kata-guruma attempt from the Azeri athlete was defended by the German using his head. It was hansoku-make for Wandtke and elation for Heydarov, who collapsed to his knees knowing what he’d just achieved.
On the opposite half of the draw, with the likes of 2023 world champion Nils Stump (SUI), 6-time grand slam medallist Shakhram Ahadov (UZB) and former world and Olympic champion Lasha Shavdatuashvili (GEO) all present, who would join Heydarov in the final was anyone’s guess.
In the end, it was the unseeded Tatsuki Ishihara (JPN) who outclassed his half of the field. Starting the day in pool C, the Paris Grand Slam 2024 winner threw Cano Garcia (ESP), Margelidon (CAN) and Ahadov (UZB), the former two with powerful standing seoi-nage attacks, to progress to the quarter-final stages. There he met the number seven seed Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov (AIN), whom he threw twice, first with ko-soto-gari one minute into the contest, and second with sumi-otoshi in the dying seconds.
The star of pool D and arguably the biggest surprise package of the day was Ankhzaya Lavjargal (MGL). The 24-year-old’s only result on the World Judo Tour prior to today was a bronze medal from Grand Prix Portugal 2022. He produced a career-best display, defeating Houssein (DJI), Shavdatuashvili, Alexandru Raicu (ROU) and Stump, throwing all but Shavdatuashvili for ippon along the way. Unfortunately for the Mongolian, however, Ishihara was a step too far. The Japanese athlete threw Lavjargal with a beautiful seoi-nage once more to make it through to the final in his first ever world championship appearance.
In the repechage contests, Cargnin defeated Batzaya with a stunning ura-nage from a low position, while Stump got the better of Makhmadbekov with his trademark sasae-tsurikomi-ashi.
Cargnin’s win set up a bronze medal contest with Lavjargal. The Brazilian attacked relentlessly in the first three minutes causing the Mongolian to pick up two penalties but Cargnin started to tire after that, picking up two penalties of his own, one for a false attack and the other for pushing his opponent out of the area. Another false attack caused him to pick up a third and final penalty, handing the victory to Lavjargal. His bronze medal is undoubtedly the surprise result of the tournament so far but it comes too late for him to be in the running for an Olympic place for Mongolia.
Stump faced off against Wandtke for the second bronze medal. Despite a valiant effort from 33-year-old Wandtke, Stump proved to be too strong, eventually scoring two waza-aris in the third minute of the contest, first with ko-soto-gake and then with his favourite sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi. Stump takes his second world medal in as many attempts and is undoubtedly one of the favourites going into the Paris Olympic Games.
The tension in the Mubadala Arena was palpable as Heydarov and Ishihara gave their all in the final. The opening minutes featured several strong attacks from both athletes but neither was able to make a breakthrough until the dramatic final minute. With 40 seconds left on the clock, Ishihara took Heydarov backwards using his reliable ko-soto-gake and scored what looked to be the decisive waza-ari.
Heydarov did not give up, chasing his opponent down as the seconds ticked away and he eventually threw Ishihara with his trusty kata-guruma to loud cheers from the Azerbaijani contingent in the crowd. Initially scoring waza-ari, a video review changed it to ippon and Heydarov let out several roars, collapsing to his knees once again. He becomes only the second world champion in Azerbaijan’s history, following in the footsteps of Elkhan Mammadov who won in 2013, after a tremendous performance.
The Azeri national team coach Richard Troutman said of Heydarov’s triumph, “His dream came true today. It was all of our dreams really, but he deserved it today.”
Final (-73 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-73 kg)
