Ilham Zakiyev
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Ilham Azizaga oglu Zakiyev (Azerbaijani: İlham Zəkiyev, born 3 March 1980, Sumgayit) is an Azerbaijani blind Paralympic judoka.
2024
He began studying judo when he was 11 years of age. In 1998, when he was 18, he went to serve in Azerbaijani army in the Aşağı Əbdürrəhmanlı village of Fizuli Rayon. He served on the frontline of the conflict zone. On 4 February 1999, he was wounded by a bullet to the head by an Armenian sniper, while on a combat mission. The bullet passed through the entire head, entering from the left and exiting via the right temple. As a result, Zakiyev has completely lost his eyesight. After a long rehabilitation he returned to the sport but as a Paralympian. He is the holder of a 7-dan black belt.[2]
He won a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Paralympics[3] and the 2008 Beijing Paralympics in the +100 kg division.[4] Zakiyev has been European champion eight times, and has twice been the World champion.[5]
In 2024, Ilham Zakiyev represented Azerbaijan at the Summer Paralympics held in Paris. He competed in the J1 category in the +90 kg weight class and won a bronze medal.[6]
By the decree of President Ilham Aliyev on September 10, 2024, Ilham Zakiyev was awarded 50,000 manats for securing third place at the Summer Paralympics, while his coach received 25,000 manats.[7] In another decree issued on the same day, Zakiyev was also honored with the 2nd-degree Order for Service to the Fatherland.[8]
