Zelym Kotsoiev
Ukrainian-Azerbaijani judoka (born 1998)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zelym Olegovich Kotsoiev (Russian: Зелим Олегович Коцоев (born 9 August 1998))[3] is a Ukrainian-Azerbaijani judoka of Ossetian heritage.[4] He won the gold medal in the men's 100 kg event at the 2024 Summer Olympics held in Paris, France. He is a three-time medalist, including gold, at the World Judo Championships and a four-time medalist, including gold, at the European Judo Championships.
At the European Cadet Championships held in Athens, Greece in July 2014, Kotsoev became the youngest champion of the tournament, at 15 years and 331 days old.[5][6]
In December 2014, 16-year-old Kotsoev became the winner of the first U18 World SAMBO Championship.[citation needed]
Career
Kotsoiev won the gold medal in the men's 100 kg event at the 2017 Summer Universiade held in Taipei, Taiwan.[7]
Kotsoiev won one of the bronze medals in the men's 100 kg event at the 2020 European Championships held in Prague, Czech Republic.[8][9]
Kotsoiev won the silver medal in his event at the 2021 World Masters held in Doha, Qatar.[10][11] A few months later, he won the gold medal in his event at the 2021 Antalya Grand Slam held in Antalya, Turkey.
Kotsoiev won one of the bronze medals in his event at the 2022 Tel Aviv Grand Slam held in Tel Aviv, Israel.[12]
In February-March 2026, at the Grand Slam tournament competitions held in the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Zelim Kotsoev (100 kg) took third place, defeating his Russian opponent Adam Sangariev by ippon.[13]
As of April 1, 2026, with a score of 440 points, holds third place in the ranking of Azerbaijani athletes according to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.[14]
Achievements
| Year | Tournament | Place | Weight class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | European Championships | 3rd | –100 kg |
| 2020 | European Championships | 3rd | –100 kg |
| 2021 | European Championships | 3rd | –100 kg |
| 2022 | World Championships | 3rd | –100 kg |
| 2023 | World Championships | 3rd | –100 kg |
| European Championships | 1st | –100 kg | |
| 2024 | World Championships | 1st | –100 kg |
| Summer Olympics | 1st | –100 kg |