Baku:Azerbaijani judoka Ahmad Yusifov claimed a gold medal on the first day of the Judo 2026 World Championships held in Baku, to the delight of the local crowd.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Yusifov secured victory in the men’s 60kg weight category by defeating Kazakhstan’s Sherzod Davlatov. The home favorite came from behind to win, igniting celebrations among the audience at the National Gymnastics Arena.
The event marked Yusifov’s first World Championship final, and he rose to the challenge in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. Despite being initially behind in the match, Yusifov’s performance was a highlight of the opening day of the championships.
The medals were awarded by International Judo Federation Executive Committee Member Timur Kemell. Expressing his joy, Yusifov stated, “There are always good things in my mind. I wouldn’t have lost a contest in front of the audience here and now I’m feeling great.”
The Judo 2026 World Championships will continue until October 11, offering more opportunities for judokas to compete for top honors.