Jala Aliyeva: “I want to leave a mark in Azerbaijani women’s wrestling”

March 8, 2026

Today is March 8 – International Women’s Day.

On the occasion of this special day, the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation has prepared a video feature about the leader of the national women’s team, U23 World and European champion, two-time Islamic Solidarity Games winner, and multiple senior European medalist Jala Aliyeva.

The 25-year-old wrestler spoke about the path she has taken throughout her career, the challenges she faced, the achievements she gained, and her future goals:

“I started wrestling in 2009 in the city of Ganja. My passion for sports was extremely strong. However, my mother did not allow me at first. On my birthday, I asked her to give me a gift by enrolling me in sports. She agreed.

When I first started wrestling, I was very excited. I came to the gym and everyone who was wrestling there was a boy. I was thinking about how I would train in such an environment. But my passion for the sport was so strong that it did not matter much to me. I thought that one day I would become a champion and they would show me on TV as well.

After winning a silver medal at the 2016 European Championships for cadets (U17), I was unable to achieve success in major competitions for several years. I thought that maybe things were no longer working out for me and that it was time to say goodbye to sports. Our coach Hasrat Mammadov told me that I was still very young.

In 2022, I became the U23 European champion. This competition gave me great motivation. I set a goal for myself to become a world champion. When I won the U23 World Championship in 2024, I did not even remember the hardships I had gone through or the injuries I had suffered. At that moment, I felt like I was in the sky. Seeing the flag rise and hearing the national anthem… I felt very happy.

In the same year, I also won the U23 European Championship held in Baku. We had prepared very well for this competition. My biggest motivation was my mother. She came from Ganja to Baku to watch the competition. I am very happy that I fulfilled my mother’s dream.

However, I am not satisfied with these results. I want to become a European and world champion among seniors as well, and also an Olympic champion. I want to be an example for the next generation. I will do my best to represent Azerbaijan worthily in international arenas.

Every woman should stand on her own feet and build her own future.

When I step onto the mat, I fight not only for myself, but also for my people and my country. By achieving great success, I want to leave a mark in Azerbaijani women’s wrestling and play a role in its development.”