Podgorica: Azerbaijani judoka Zelim Kotsoiev has clinched a silver medal at the European Judo Championships in Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro. Competing in the -100 kg weight division, Kotsoiev faced Georgia's Ilia Sulamanidze in the final showdown.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, despite having defeated Sulamanidze in their crucial encounter at the "Paris 2024" Summer Olympic Games, Kotsoiev was overcome this time, ultimately securing the second-place finish. Meanwhile, fellow Azerbaijani judoka Ushangi Kokauri (+100 kg) is set to battle Germany's Erik Abramov for a bronze medal.

In the women's competition, Nigar Suleymanova (+78 kg) was unfortunately defeated by Georgia's Sofia Somkhishvili in her opening match.