Hidayat Heydarov Dominates in Men's -73 kg Judo Elimination Round

In an exhilarating showdown during the Men's -73 kg Elimination Round of 16 at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Azerbaijan's Hidayat Heydarov showcased his exceptional skills in judo, defeating Israel's Tohar Butbul. The match took place at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, starting at 11:24 AM local time and concluding at 11:30 AM, with a total match duration of six minutes.

Heydarov, ranked number one in the world, entered the contest with an impressive track record, including a first-place finish at the Abu Dhabi World Championships in 2024. His performance against Butbul was nothing short of masterful, accumulating a total of 10 points to secure his victory. The match was characterized by strategic grappling and swift maneuvers, culminating in an ippon that sealed Heydarov's advancement to the quarterfinals.

Butbul, ranked 22nd globally, put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short, concluding the match with three penalties against him. The referee for this highly anticipated bout was Elizabeth Gonzalez from Mexico.

Heydarov's upcoming matches will be closely watched as he aims for Olympic gold, riding high on the momentum of this victory. Fans around the world are eager to see if he can maintain his dominance in the following rounds of the competition.