“I started judo in 2006 in Chechnya and in 2018 I moved from Russia to Turkiye, then later to Lebanon. I was in the national team of Russia for cadets and juniors, but after a bad loss during one of the senior Russian championships I decided to switch to Lebanon. My Lebanese coach, François, helped me make the transition and then I started to compete for Lebanon internationally. Now I am representing Lebanon but living and training at Judo Club Edelweiss in Grozny, Chechnya.”
François Saade Jr, the Director General and national coach of the Lebanese Judo Federation, elaborates, “We had an athlete before, Nacif Elias, who was a two-time Olympian and who went to the Games in London and Rio. When his career came to an end, we looked at the athletes we had and began searching for Lebanese athletes who were outside of Lebanon. Due to the current difficulties Lebanon faces, it is very difficult for us to produce a strong athlete capable of competing at IJF level. I talked with Caram, whose mother is Lebanese, and he officially became part of the team."
Sagaipov first appeared on the IJF World Judo Tour at the Antalya Grand Slam 2022 but made his first mark in 2023 at the Tashkent Grand Slam, where he took a fifth place, defeating double Masters medallist Alexis Mathieu in his first contest. From there he went on to win a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Games, which was only the third medal for Lebanon at a continental championship, after Elias won silvers in 2014 and 2016.
In Abu Dhabi, Sagaipov showed his true potential. He defeated 2019 world champion Noel Van T End, world silver medallists Krisztian Toth and Christian Parlati, and Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam 2024 gold medallist Yahor Varapeyeu on his way to the semi-final. Despite his earlier promise, few could have expected such a performance but for Sagaipov, it was no surprise.
“Today I felt like I was in the form of my life, so I knew that I could beat them. In the 2nd round I knocked one shoulder and then the other in the 3rd round, so the quarter-final was very hard and painful but I felt from the beginning that I was ready to beat everyone today, so I am disappointed that I am not in the final. But I will forget about this loss and go for the bronze, which would be historic for my country if I win.”
Talking about his preparation for the Abu Dhabi World Championships, Sagaipov’s self-belief is evident. “The training process was the same as regular training, I just kept going and believing in myself. I know that I can beat everybody at -90 kg and today I proved this.”
The Lebanese fighter was unfortunately defeated for the bronze medal by Mosakhlishvili. However, he has qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games through the continental quota system and plans to make more history for Lebanon. “For the Olympics the programme is the same, I will continue training in Chechnya with my personal coach, Ibrahim Abdulkaydrov, whom I trust 100%, and he will get me ready for the Games.”
Saade Jr has made it his mission to contribute to a brighter future in Lebanon through judo. He has successfully implemented a Judo in Schools programme with the support of the IJF, which offers free judo lessons to schoolchildren. In recognition of his hard work, he was presented with the 2023 Judo for Children award at the Paris Grand Slam 2024. Though development of the sport at all levels is crucial, he dreams of seeing a Lebanese athlete succeed at the highest level.
“After the Olympics, we have two athletes, Caram and also Aqulina Shayeb, who is preparing for the junior world championships in Dushanbe this year. I hope that she will make history for Lebanon by winning a medal there, which has never happened before.
"We’ve never had an athlete fight for bronze at a world championship. It’s a big honour for me and I’m so proud because I’ve been working really hard for several years, especially through the economic crisis in Lebanon. The support we’ve received from the IJF and their president, Marius Vizer, shows that we are on the right path.”
With Sagaipov peaking at the right time, Saade may not have to wait much longer for his dream to come true, with the Paris Olympics only two months away.