Abilfat Mammadov: “Third Time European Champions in Four Years”

The Greco-Roman wrestling team of Azerbaijan has returned home after a successful campaign at the U15 European Championship held in Caorle, Italy.

The national team, which topped the team standings with 1 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals, was welcomed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport with an official reception.

Abilfat Mammadov, Head Coach:
“This is the third time in the last four years that we’ve become European champions. The boys performed well. The level of competition rises every year. Thankfully, we outperformed everyone. We could’ve achieved an even better result. One of our key wrestlers didn’t participate, and another couldn’t perform as expected due to injury. Overall, I consider the team’s performance satisfactory. Huseyn Amrahli and Khudayar Karimli will still compete in this age group next year, while the others will move up to U17.”

Omar Salmanov, European Champion:
“Thank God, I became champion. We prepared very well for this tournament. I defeated athletes from Türkiye and Latvia by scores of 8–0, and beat a Belarusian opponent 10–1 to reach the final. In the gold medal match, I defeated last year’s European champion from Russia 7–5. I dedicate my victory to my coaches and my father.”

Huseyn Amrahli, European Silver Medalist:
“I’m grateful to my parents, my personal coach Mr. Shamkhal, and the national team coaches. I won silver this year. Inshallah, I’ll win gold next year.”

Ruslan Nuriyev, European Silver Medalist:
“I sincerely thank my coaches and my parents for their support. The competition went well, but I made a few mistakes in the final and that cost me the gold.”

Khudayar Karimli, European Bronze Medalist:
“My personal coach Fuad Aydinli and the national team coaches worked very hard with me. I thank them all. Everyone expected me to win the title, but it wasn’t meant to be. I won bronze instead, and I’m thankful for that. I’ll work on my mistakes and aim for the championship next year.”

Huseyn Mustafazade, European Bronze Medalist:
“It was a very competitive tournament. We trained hard for the European Championships. I finished third this time, but Inshallah, I’ll become champion in the future.”

Nadir Hasanov, European Bronze Medalist:
“I went to Italy to become champion. Everything was going well until the semifinal. A mistake in par terre cost me the final. I’m thankful to my personal coach Fuad Aydinli and the national team coaches. God willing, I’ll come back next year with the gold.”