President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received athletes and coaches on April 30 who secured medals and team titles at the European Wrestling Championships recently held in Tirana, the capital of Albania. The reception included representatives from the Greco-Roman, freestyle, and women's national wrestling teams.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the head of state delivered a speech during the meeting, congratulating the national teams on their significant achievements. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the victory in Tirana, where Azerbaijan secured first place in the team standings for both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, reinforces the country's status as a leading power in the sport.
Speech by President Ilham Aliyev
"First of all, I congratulate our national team on the great victory won at the European Championship in Tirana. This victory made us all happy. Azerbaijani wrestlers have once again shown that they are the best in Europe," the President stated. He noted that the competition was particularly intense, with top athletes from across the continent vying for titles. The President praised the professionalism and fair play exhibited by the Azerbaijani competitors.
The head of state highlighted the continuity of traditions in Azerbaijani wrestling, noting that young athletes are successfully stepping up to join the ranks of established champions. He attributed this success to the correct organization of training and selection processes by the federation and coaching staff. President Ilham Aliyev, who has led the National Olympic Committee for nearly 30 years, remarked that sports development is a priority of state policy in Azerbaijan.
During the event, several athletes expressed their gratitude for the state's support. Freestyle wrestler Turan Bayramov, Greco-Roman wrestler Hasrat Jafarov—who set a record by winning his fourth European gold—and female wrestler Jala Aliyeva spoke about the motivation provided by the President's attention to their careers. They pledged to continue representing Azerbaijan with honor in future international competitions.
Addressing the athletes in both Azerbaijani and Russian, President Ilham Aliyev also touched upon the importance of ethical conduct. He urged the champions to remain role models for the younger generation both on and off the mat. The President noted that while Azerbaijani athletes sometimes face biased officiating in European competitions, they must maintain their dignity and continue to prove their superiority through fair competition.
Wrestling holds a prestigious place in Azerbaijan's sporting culture, supported by a network of Olympic Sports Complexes and specialized training centers established across the country. This systemic approach has allowed Azerbaijan to consistently rank among the top nations in global wrestling standings, including the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
