Name: Rustam Orujov
Country: Azerbaijan
Weight category: -73kg
Points: 6575
There are a selection of European athletes who have managed to retain their WRL #1 status, and that includes the ever impressive, Rustam ORUJOV.
It may have been a quiet year for us in terms of a lack of competition and opportunity for the athletes to acquire points, but at any given opportunity the Azeri was prepared and willing to swipe them for his bank. Following a drought, the Budapest Grand Slam was a test for the Olympic hopefuls and he did not disappoint.
On his way to Grand Slam gold, Orujov defeated former European Champion Tommy MACIAS (SWE) and demonstrated his ‘bounce-back-ability’ in a difficult final against up and coming Nils STUMP (SUI). Rounding off 2020, Orujov claimed yet another continental championships medal in these new and strange circumstances.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen