Tarlan Aliheidar son Hasanov (in Azerbaijani: Hasanov, son of Tarlan Aliheydar; Gazakh, November 26, 1942) is an Azerbaijani athlete who competes in judo and sambo, coach of Azerbaijani and Soviet judo and sambo, president of the professional judo sports club “Kanokan TT”, judge of the All-Soviet category ( 1980), Honored Coach of the Azerbaijan SSR (1989), Honored Worker of Physical Culture and Sports of Azerbaijan (2019). Tarlan Hasanov is one of Azerbaijan’s first judo coaches and judges. He is the personal trainer of Olympic champion Hidayət Heydərov.[[1]
Tarlan Hasanov was born on November 26, 1942 in the city of Gazakh into the family of actor Aliheydar Hasanzade and actress Rukhsara Agayeva.[[2]A year after Tarlan’s birth, his father received the title of Honored Artist of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1949 the family moved to the city of Baku. When Tarlan was 14 years old, he enrolled in the wrestling section without his parents’ permission. His first coach was the silver medalist of the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games, Rashid Mamedbekov. After a while, Tarlan won the Baku city championship.
After finishing military service he began practicing sambo. At the same time he worked as head of the art department of the Azerbaijan State Song Theater. In 1974 Tarlan Hasanov was appointed head coach of the Soviet Union national youth and school team. His students participated in all-Union competitions and championships and achieved high results.
Tarlan Hasanov graduated from the Faculty of History of Baku State University. In 1980 he received the title of judge of the All-Union category, and in 1989 – Honored Coach of the Azerbaijan SSR.
In 2019 Tarlan Hasanov received the honorary title of Honored Worker of Physical Culture and Sports of Azerbaijan. In October 2021, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun for his invaluable role in developing friendly relations between Japan and Azerbaijan.[[3]
On October 3, 2022, by order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Tarlan Hasanov was awarded the Shohrat Order for his services in the development of Azerbaijani judo.
Tarlan Hasanov’s students won medals of various denominations at the Soviet Union, European and World Championships, as well as many other international competitions. One of his students is the Olympic champion, world champion and four-time European champion Hidayət Heydərov. Tarlan Hasanov was also the coach of Rasim Agamirov, Məmmədəli Mehdiyev, İlqar Müşkiyev, Murad Fatiyev. Tarlan Hasanov heads the professional judo sports club “Kanokan TT” and continues to actively participate in training and teaching activities.
On August 13, 2024, by order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Tarlan Hasanov was awarded the Order “For Service to the Fatherland” for his high achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and his services in the development of Azerbaijani sports.[[4]
