The judoka Chopanov called the anthem of the Russian Federation an additional incentive to win at the World Cup-2026

The Russian national anthem played at the European Judo Championships in Tbilisi was an additional incentive for the athletes. Russian judoka Murad Chopanov told Izvestia about this on April 27.

"It was very pleasant. <...> I wanted to win so that the anthem would be played in your honor and the flag would be raised," the athlete admitted.

Mikhail Rakhlin, President of the St. Petersburg Judo Federation and Honored Coach of Russia, said that Russian athletes had shown remarkable results.

"Judo is the first among all Olympic sports to recognize the right of our athletes to our flag and anthem. Therefore, the importance of today's victories increases many times," he stressed.

Rakhlin recalled how for the first time in a long time he heard the Russian national anthem at the Grand Slam tournament in Abu Dhabi in 2025 - after that, his phone was bursting with calls and messages with congratulations and kind words. The coach experienced similar emotions this time.

"My pride is tearing me apart, my pulse is rising, I want to get up, I want to sing, I want to perform," he described his impressions.

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On April 16, Chopanov became the strongest in the weight category up to 66 kg, defeating Finnish judoka Lukas Sahu in the final. Then, on April 19, Russian judoka took the third place in the overall medal standings of the European Championships in Tbilisi. The Russians have won seven awards: two gold, one silver and four bronze.

Chopanov (weight category up to 66 kg) and Arbuzov (up to 81 kg) became European champions. Sabina Gilyazova won the silver medal. Bronze medals were won by Arman Adamyan (up to 100 kg), Valery Endovitsky (over 100 kg), Vorobyova (up to 48 kg) and Madina Taymazova (up to 70 kg). On April 20, Izvestia showed footage of the return of the Russian national judo team to Moscow.