Ilham Zakiyev: "I have enough strength to raise the Azerbaijani flag to great heights" - INTERVIEW

Ilham Zakiyev, the nine-time European champion Azerbaijani para-judoist (J1, +95 kg), gave an interview to "Report". The experienced athlete spoke about winning the gold medal at the European Championship held in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. The two-time Paralympic champion said that he wants to raise the Azerbaijani flag to great heights for a few more years.

- You recently won a gold medal at the European Championship held in Georgia. We would like to know your impressions.

- I hadn't had a gold medal for two years. In the final, I defeated Ion Basocu from Moldova, whom I had lost to before. It is difficult to express my feelings in words. I am proud to have raised the Azerbaijani flag to the top. I dedicate my victory to the Azerbaijani people, the head of state, President Ilham Aliyev, and our soldiers and veterans who died in the Patriotic War.

- You became the European champion on September 20. That date is memorable for two significant events - winning your first gold medal at the Athens 2004 Summer Paralympic Games in Greece in 2004 and the celebration of Sovereignty Day in Azerbaijan. What can you say about this?

- Winning a gold medal on such a significant day, the sounding of the National Anthem of Azerbaijan and the waving of our flag at the highest point are very sublime feelings. It is difficult to express this in words. I wish every Azerbaijani athlete to experience such beautiful feelings.

- You have all the medals in your collection. What will be your next goal?

- May God protect Azerbaijani athletes from injury. God willing, I want to compete and become a champion at the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. I also want to win my 10th gold medal, which is the anniversary, at the European Championship. Why not?!

- You are currently 45 years old and the most experienced among Azerbaijani para-judoists. How much strength do you see in yourself to participate in competitions?

- I want to serve the Azerbaijani state and nation as much as I have the strength. I will continue as much as I have the strength. The athlete I defeated in the final was 17 years younger than me. This shows that we are still succeeding. My job is to make our people happy with victories.

- Are new Ilham Zakiyevs growing up among young Azerbaijani para-judoists?

- To be honest, there is no second Ilham Zakiyev yet. We really want our youth to develop and bring victories to the Azerbaijani people with various achievements. After the 44-day Patriotic War, there were meetings with veterans, and I also participated there. They were offered to continue their lives with sports. They were offered to participate not only in para-judo, but also in other sports. Most of them agreed, some participated in competitions, and some won results. Just as they waved our glorious flag in Shusha, Khankendi and other liberated territories in due time, they will repeat it in the international arena.