LONDON CONQUERED FOR A SECOND TIME

Following the Olympians who this year opened a new page in the history of Azerbaijani sport, the country's Paralympians also broke new records in London. Azerbaijan's disabled athletes won 12 (four gold, five silver and three bronze) to go with the ten Olympic medals. Whereas four years ago in Beijing, the Azerbaijani team with two gold, three silver and five bronze medals came 38th among the Paralympians, this year our athletes lifted themselves to 27th. Along with the excellent results the Paralympics in London will best be remembered by Azerbaijani supporters for the new records and champions.

In the very first days of the competition Azerbaijan was delighted with the gold medals won by its judoists, Ramin Ibrahimov (60 kg) and Afaq Sultanova (57 kg). What is more, both completed most of their bouts by ippon. Experts were talking about Ramin's great potential four years ago when he won a bronze at the Beijing Paralympics. There were also great hopes placed on Afaq Sultanova who justified the expectations of her coaching team. In the opinion of experts, both judoists are capable of representing Azerbaijan at the 2014 Paralympics in Rio [Editor's Note: as stated - should be 2016].

Meanwhile, success turned its back on another Azerbaijani judoist - Ilham Zyakiyev, the team's member with the most titles. The twice Paralympian champion lost his gold medal to the Japanese, Masaki Kento, coming home with the bronze. However, experts have no doubts that Zyakiyev can still become a Paralympic champion for the third time.

Natali Pronina achieved excellent results in the swimming in London. She won a total of five medals - four silver and one gold. Pronina reached the top of the pedestal by winning the 100m breast stroke. She not only became Paralympic champion but also set up a new world record in this stroke.

Our track and field athletes also lived up to expectations.  In the triple jump the main battle was between the two Azerbaijanis - Oleg Panyutin and Vladimir Zayets. By defeating his team mate by one centimetre, Panyutin took the title of Paralympian champion and Zayets had to be content with the silver. Both athletes were also among the bronze medal winners in the 4x100 metres relay, along with their team mates Elcin Muradov and Rza Osmanov. Huseyn Huseynov took the bronze in the long jump.

Azerbaijan would have won more Paralympic medals but for the failure of some of their athletes. Nevertheless, experts are positive in their appraisal of the Azerbaijani team's performance. In their view, our athletes gave a worthy account of themselves.