Today, our experienced referee Hijran Sharifov completed his 25-year refereeing career. He last refereed the final match between Elmir Aliyev and Rashad Mammadov in the 55 kg category at the Azerbaijan Championship. After the match, the experienced referee, in accordance with wrestling traditions, placed his whistle and armbands on the carpet and officially announced the end of his career to the loud applause of his colleagues. The National Olympic Committee and the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation presented H. Sharifov with a commemorative gift.

It should be noted that H. Sharifov has maintained justice at the Beijing-2008, London-2012 and Rio-2016 Olympic Games, the European Games, the Islamic Solidarity Games, many times at the world and European championships and other important international competitions. H. Sharifov, who holds the title of the only referee to have participated in 3 Olympics in the history of Azerbaijani wrestling, was awarded the “Golden Whistle” award as the fairest referee of London-2012. He was awarded the “Glory” and “Olympic” orders, the “Honorary Diploma of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, the “Progress” medal, and the honorary titles “Honored Physical Culture and Sports Worker”, and “Honored Coach”.