Rafael Aghayev

Azerbaijan karateka (born 1985) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rafael Mahir Aghayev (Azerbaijani: Rafael Ağayev; born March 4, 1985) is an Azerbaijani karateka. He won the silver medal in the men's kumite 75 kg division at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. He is a five-time world champion, and eleven-time European champion in his discipline.[1] Aghayev was signed by Karate Combat and was the welterweight champion in the promotion with a record of 5-0.

Born (1985-03-04) 4 March 1985 (age 41)
Sumgait, Azerbaijan SSR, USSR
Native nameRafael Ağayev
NicknamePanther of the East
Diamond of the Karate World
Height167 cm (5 ft 6 in)
Quick facts Born, Native name ...
Rafael Aghayev
Aghayev in 2018
Born (1985-03-04) 4 March 1985 (age 41)
Sumgait, Azerbaijan SSR, USSR
Native nameRafael Ağayev
NicknamePanther of the East
Diamond of the Karate World
Height167 cm (5 ft 6 in)
Division-75 kg
StyleShotokan
TeacherRahman Hatamov
RankBlack Belt, 5th dan
Medal record
Men's karate
Representing  Azerbaijan
Summer Olympics
Silver medal – second place2020 TokyoKumite −75 kg
World Championships
Gold medal – first place2006 TampereKumite −70 kg
Gold medal – first place2008 TokyoKumite −70 kg
Gold medal – first place2008 TokyoKumite open
Gold medal – first place2010 BelgradeKumite −75 kg
Gold medal – first place2016 LinzKumite −75 kg
Silver medal – second place2010 BelgradeTeam kumite
Silver medal – second place2012 ParisKumite −75 kg
Bronze medal – third place2018 MadridKumite −75 kg
Bronze medal – third place2021 DubaiTeam kumite
European Championships
Gold medal – first place2004 MoscowKumite −65 kg
Gold medal – first place2005 TenerifeKumite open
Gold medal – first place2007 BratislavaKumite −70 kg
Gold medal – first place2007 BratislavaKumite open
Gold medal – first place2008 TallinnKumite open
Gold medal – first place2009 ZagrebKumite −75 kg
Gold medal – first place2010 AthensKumite −75 kg
Gold medal – first place2013 BudapestKumite -75 kg
Gold medal – first place2015 IstanbulKumite -75 kg
Gold medal – first place2016 MontpellierKumite -75 kg
Gold medal – first place2018 Novi SadKumite -75 kg
Silver medal – second place2019 GuadalajaraKumite -75 kg
Silver medal – second place2008 TallinnKumite −70 kg
Silver medal – second place2021 PorečKumite -75 kg
Silver medal – second place2022 GaziantepTeam kumite
Bronze medal – third place2008 TallinnTeam kumite
Bronze medal – third place2009 ZagrebTeam kumite
Bronze medal – third place2010 AthensTeam kumite
Bronze medal – third place2011 ZürichKumite −75 kg
Bronze medal – third place2012 TenerifeKumite −75 kg
Bronze medal – third place2012 TenerifeTeam kumite
Bronze medal – third place2015 IstanbulTeam kumite
Bronze medal – third place2021 PorečTeam kumite
World Games
Gold medal – first place2013 CaliKumite −75 kg
World Combat Games
Gold medal – first place2013 Saint PetersburgKumite −75 kg
European Games
Gold medal – first place2015 BakuKumite −75 kg
Silver medal – second place2019 MinskKumite −75 kg
Islamic Solidarity Games
Gold medal – first place2013 PalembangKumite −75 kg
Gold medal – first place2017 BakuKumite −75 kg
Bronze medal – third place2005 MeccaKumite −75 kg
Close

Early life

After graduating from Sumgait city school No. 21 in 2003, Aghayev entered the field of martial arts at the Azerbaijan Sport Academy graduating in 2007 as a specialty trainer-instructor in karate. From 2007 to 2008, he served in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in the Aghjabadi District, before being transferred to the Central Sports Club of the Ministry of Defence due to his status as a promising sportsman.[2]

Aghayev's father encouraged a love for sports in his three sons, and thus, Aghayev always intended to pursue a career in athletics.  His oldest brother Ruslan trained in Judo, and his second oldest brother Rustam is a boxer.[2]

At seven years old, Aghayev became involved in football, and at the same time, began training in karate under the instruction of his first coach, Rafael Mammadov. He went on to train for several years. Participating in the first national competition, he was noticed and invited to train in one of the famous sports clubs of the Republic, Budokan, under the leadership of Fizuli Musayev.[2]

Career

Aghayev hitting Japanese karateka Yusei Sakiyama at 2018 German Open

At the first championship of the Republic, Aghayev won an overwhelming victory over all his rivals and was noted by the President of the National Karate Federation, Yashar Bashirov, who saw great potential in him and his unusual fighting tactics. Aghayev was very diligent and had the will to win, but he lacked international experience. He first took part in the National Team in 1997, at the open World Cup in Miskolc, Hungary. His first performances were not successful at the international level competition, but the next year he won the Open Championship of England and performed very well from then on.[2]

At his first World Championship among Cadets and Juniors, which was held in 2001 in Athens, he won 3rd place in the team event, and the following year became the European Champion. Thus, up to this day, he holds the lead in his weight class. Despite his young age, he managed to achieve all of the highest sporting victories in karate; he is a multiple European Champion and repeated as World Champion. At one World Championship he was able to win two gold medals. This happened in 2008 at the 18th World Championship in Tokyo, when he won in the 70 kg weight category and in the open category. The President of the World Karate Federation, Antonio Espinós called him the "Diamond of the Karate World."[2]

Hidayat Shabanov, a senior team coach, played an important role in Aghayev's career. For more than eight years, Shabanov trained him and shared in his victories. For outstanding sports achievements at the international arena, Aghayev has repeatedly received awards from the National Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan Republic, and he ranked amongst the ten best sportsmen of the country for several consecutive years. From the official sponsor of the Federation, the International Bank of Azerbaijan, he received the keys to a new apartment in one of the elite areas of the city, as well as an Audi Q7.[2]

Currently, Aghayev is captain of the Azerbaijan team, and continuing to train and perform under the guidance of new senior coach Rahman Hatamov.

In June 2015, Azerbaijan was the host country for the inaugural European Games. Competing in karate, more specifically Kumite for 75 kilograms, Aghayev earned a gold medal.

In August 2021, Aghayev competed in the inaugural Olympics Karate event, earning silver medal in the Men's kumite 75 kg division.

Championships and accomplishments

Karate Combat record

Professional record breakdown
5 matches 5 wins 0 losses
By knockout 0 0
By decision 5 0
More information Res., Record ...
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 5–0 Josh Quayhagen Decision (unanimous) Karate Combat 40 June 24, 2023 5 3:00 Miami, Florida, United States Won and unified the Karate Combat Welterweight Championship.
Win 4–0 Raymond Daniels Decision (unanimous) Karate Combat 37 December 17, 2022 5 3:00 Orlando, Florida, United States Won the interim Karate Combat Welterweight Championship.
Win 3–0 Davy Dona Decision (unanimous) Karate Combat Season 4 Event 4 June 25, 2022 3 3:00 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 2–0 Zsolt Habda Decision (unanimous) Karate Combat Season 4 Event 3 June 11, 2022 3 3:00 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 1–0 Dionicio Gustavo Decision (unanimous) Karate Combat: Genesis February 3, 2018 3 3:00 Budapest, Hungary
Close

See also

References

External links

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI