COMPETITION FOR FUTURE

The 3rd Summer Youth Olympic Games held in Buenos Aires of Argentina ended. More than 4,000 athletes attended the Games from 206 countries of the world. The Russian team was the first in the team competitions winning 29 gold, 18 silver and 12 bronze medals followed by Chinese, Japanese, Hungarian, and Italian teams in the top five. In total, representatives of 92 countries won medals.

Azerbaijani national team participated with 17 athletes winning 3 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze medals. Gold medallists of the national team of Azerbaijan are judoka Vugar Talibov (66 kg) and freestyle wrestler Turan Bayramov (65 kg). Artistic gymnast Elizaveta Luzan in the team competition won another gold medal.

One of the strongest

According to the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, in addition to individual competition, athletes also competed in the team events. All participants were divided into twelve teams that received the names of the stars of world gymnastics.

E. Luzan along with representatives of Bulgaria, Australia, China, Singapore, Vietnam, Spain, Italy, Russia, Ukraine, South Africa and Hungary joined the team of four-time Olympic champion Simona Biles. Athletes, including Luzan, scored points in the team standings during personal appearances, and as a result, the Biles Team became the first, and E. Luzan won the gold medal.

Another gold medallist, Turan Bayramov, has indeed demonstrated an outstanding performance. What else can an athlete wish for after becoming a champion of Europe, the world and the Olympic Games within a year?! Bayramov demonstrated his potential last year. In 2017, he became the silver medallist of the European Championship and the bronze medallist of the World Championship in the weight category 58 kg. This year, he showed himself from the best side in the category of 68 kg. After the draw in Argentina, it became clear that Bayramov will surely reach the final stage of the tournament. Neither the representative of New Zealand, nor the wrestler from Pakistan in Group A could beat the Azerbaijani athlete. There was no sensation when Bayramov won both of the games - 10:0 and 8:0, respectively, reaching the final stage. In the decisive meeting, he had to compete with Muhammed Baghi Karimiseyfabadi, an athlete known to Bayramov since the World Cup final in Zagreb. Turan won this game too (8:2). Iranian wrestler again did not resist the Azerbaijani athlete. The outcome of this meeting with a score of 6:1 is quite explanatory.

Vugar Talibov is considered one of the most promising young judokas in Azerbaijan. In addition to the Olympic gold, this year Vugar also rose to the highest level of the podium in the European Cup, took the bronze medal in the Asian Cup and silver in the African Cup among 18-year-olds. His success in Argentine forced his transition to the youth team of Azerbaijan.

Weightlifter Tarmenkhan Babayev (85 kg) was awarded a silver medal at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires. Taekwondoka Javad Aghayev (63 kg), boxer Nurlan Safarov (60 kg) and wrestler Shahane Nazarova (43 kg) won the bronze medals.

Thus, according to the merit of medals, Azerbaijan is the 31st among 208 countries, and by their number - 37th. During the 2010 Olympics in Singapore, Azerbaijani athletes won eight (5 gold, 3 silver), and in Nanking in 2014 - twelve (5 gold, 6 silver and 1 bronze) medals. In Singapore, we ranked 11th among 204, and in Nanjing - 10th among 203 countries.

Athletes say

“For me, it was not only the biggest, but also the most important competition,” gymnast Elizaveta Luzan says. Until now, I have performed only at the European Championships, where reached the finals in the exercises with ribbon. Such a team competition was held for her first. This is a very interesting format. Being on the podium is very nice. I am very glad that I am returning to Baku with a medal. ”

Another gold medallist of the championship Vugar Talibov shared his impressions with the readers of R+: “I am extremely glad that I managed to win a gold medal for Azerbaijan at such a prestigious competition. As you know, in judo a license is issued to the country, not the athlete. Before the competition, it was discussed who would go to Argentina. The leadership of the federation, including my coach, showed me great confidence, which I had to justify. After a short rest, I will restart my training. I believe that great success is still ahead,” the Azerbaijani judoka said.

Wrestler (65 kg) Turan Bayramov noted that he was driven by his faith in victory: “I knew that I would qualify for the final match. Group competitions were not that hard. Although in the final, my opponent was strong enough, I really tried hard to defeat him. I am very happy. I thank everyone who contributed to my victory.”

No relax

Summer Youth Olympic Games are not always the beginning of a successful career for athletes. Some athletes often relax and cannot fully realise their potential, and some even part with the sport. Given this circumstance, specialists consider it necessary to facilitate the transition of successful athletes to the youth team.

The 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games of 2022 will take place in Dakar, Senegal.