Asgarkhan Novruzov: “This is the best result of the last 3 Years”

August 5, 2025

The Azerbaijan freestyle wrestling team has returned home from the U17 World Championships held in Athens, Greece, with 1 gold and 3 bronze medals.

A welcoming ceremony was held at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in honor of the medal-winning team.

Asgarkhan Novruzov, Senior Coach:

“I’ve been the senior coach of this team for 15 years, and I can confidently say this was one of the most competitive world championships in recent years. Iran is traditionally a wrestling powerhouse and usually wins gold medals. But this time, they couldn’t secure one, while we crowned a world champion. We missed out on third place in the team standings by just a single point.

Our preparation went well, and the athletes were ready. Unfortunately, we lost to some of the top-seeded countries in key weight categories, sometimes in the final seconds of matches. At times, luck simply wasn’t on our side. Otherwise, we could have returned with more medals. Still, four medals is a strong result — the best in the last three years.

Freestyle wrestling coordinator Haji Aliyev accompanied us to the tournament. Fittingly, our world champion competed in his weight class — 65 kg. On behalf of the entire team, I thank Haji for his all-around support.”

Haji Aliyev, Freestyle Wrestling Coordinator:

“I congratulate our team, the medalists’ personal coaches, and the national team’s coaching staff. Our federation can be proud that our young wrestlers achieved great success at the World Championships. Among European countries, we finished first.

Winning a medal at the World Championships is never easy. The champions and medalists of today are the potential world and Olympic champions of tomorrow. We are doing everything in our power to guide these young athletes toward a bright future. I’m always ready to do whatever I can to help. God willing, even greater success lies ahead.”

Huseyn Ismayilov, World Champion:

“It was a great tournament. Last year, I promised to turn my silver medal into gold — thank God, I did just that. Thanks to Coach Asgar Khan’s training and discipline, we reached this goal.

Now my next target is to continue this success at the junior level. I want to thank everyone who supported me along the way. Every match at the World Championships is tough, but I believed that even by the last-point rule, I would come out on top — and thank God, that’s exactly what happened.”

Said Pashayev, World Bronze Medalist:

“I went to this tournament with the goal of becoming champion. Certain mistakes cost me, but I hope to correct them and achieve greater success in the future. In the coming days, I’ll decide whether to continue my career in freestyle or switch to Greco-Roman wrestling.”

Hakim Taghiyev, World Bronze Medalist:

“It was an excellent competition. I won bronze, though it could have been an even better result. I’m determined to train harder and aim for gold next year. I’m grateful to my family, my personal coach, and the national coaching staff for their support.”