Background and career
Zelym Olegovich Kotsoiev (Russian: Зелим Олегович Коцоев (born 9 August 1998)) is a Ukrainian-Azerbaijani judoka of Ossetian heritage. 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.
In December 2014, 16-year-old Kotsoev became the winner of the first U18 World SAMBO Championship.
