The 2025 Lima Grand Prix in Peru kicked off in dramatic fashion for Azerbaijani judokas, who delivered a standout performance on the very first day of competition.
With one silver and three bronze medals, the Azerbaijan national judo team announced their presence strongly among the field of world-class competitors. They currently rank sixth among 48 participating nations after day one.
In this article, we dive into every detail of that achievement — the athletes, weight categories, match scores, and implications for team standings — and present a clear, structured overview so readers can grasp the full significance of this success.
Medal Winners & Match Outcomes – Day One Highlights
Here is a detailed breakdown of how the Azerbaijani judokas earned their four medals on Day One:
| Judoka | Gender | Weight Category | Medal Won | Key Match / Opponent & Score / Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmad Yusifov | Male | 60 kg | Silver | Lost final 0-1 to Israel’s Ishak Ashpis |
| Ruslan Pashayev | Male | 66 kg | Bronze | Beat Brazil’s Robert Lima in the bronze medal match |
| Rashad Yelkiyev | Male | 66 kg | Bronze | Defeated Ukraine’s Nikita Goloborodko for bronze |
| Konul Aliyeva | Female | 48 kg | Bronze | Overcame Portugal’s Catarina Costo via waza-ari in the bronze match |
- In the women’s 48 kg division, Konul Aliyeva used a strong waza-ari point to clinch her bronze medal.
- In the men’s 60 kg, Ahmad Yusifov reached the final but fell just short, losing 0-1 to Israel’s Ishak Ashpis.
- In the men’s 66 kg bracket, Azerbaijan had a double podium finish: Ruslan Pashayev and Rashad Yelkiyev both secured bronze by winning their respective bronze medal matches.
This tally gives Azerbaijan a total of 1 silver + 3 bronze on just the first day of competition.
Event Context & Team Standings
The 2025 Lima Grand Prix takes place from October 11 to 13, 2025, held at the Coliseo Eduardo Dibós in Lima, Peru, as part of the IJF World Tour.
Prize money for the event is pegged at €98,000.
At the close of Day One, Azerbaijan’s medal haul places the team in 6th position among 48 nations. (They trail behind traditional judo powerhouses, but their start is strong.)
Other standout shifts in the rankings were also observed as the competition progressed: nations like Brazil, France, and Israel jostled for top slots after Day Two. (One bulletin noted that Brazil moved into first place by securing two golds by the end of Day Two.)
Why This Performance Matters
- Strong start in global competition
Opening with four medals gives the Azerbaijani team momentum early in the tournament and boosts morale. - Depth across categories
Medals in both men’s (60 kg, 66 kg) and women’s (48 kg) divisions reflect that Azerbaijan is not reliant on a single star but has strength across weight classes. - Podium multiple in same weightclass
Achieving two bronze medals in the same weight category (66 kg) emphasizes strong internal competition and depth in that class. - Boost to national judo program ranking and visibility
With such achievements on a prominent IJF stage, Azerbaijan earns more visibility and influence in international judo. - Room for improvement & higher targets
The silver is promising, but converting those bronze into silver or gold in coming days would elevate Azerbaijan’s final standing far more.
In a spectacular opening to the Lima Grand Prix 2025, Azerbaijani judokas showed grit, skill, and depth. By claiming one silver and three bronze medals on Day One, they established themselves as serious contenders.
Athletes like Ahmad Yusifov, Ruslan Pashayev, Rashad Yelkiyev, and Konul Aliyeva not only brought glory but also sent a strong message: Azerbaijan’s judo program is rising.
The road ahead is challenging — converting bronze to silver or gold will be key — but this start sets a solid foundation.
As the competition continues, all eyes will be on whether the Azerbaijani team can maintain momentum and climb even higher on the podium standings.
