"PRIVATE ZAKIYEV: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!"

Photos and videos of this touching moment spread all over the Internet with lightning speed - Azerbaijani Para-lympic Ilham Zakiyev shares the highest step of the podium with nearly weeping Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

It was a victory for the people, a victory for the president and, finally, a victory for humanity. It was the victory of good over evil - the main torchbearer of the first European Games Ilham Zakiyev, who lost his sight form the bullet of an Armenian sniper, proved once again that the Azerbaijani spirit cannot be broken.

Having won the "gold" of the first European Games in judo in the weight category of over 90 kg, Ilham fulfilled the promise he gave the head of state on the eve of the competition. Thus, the two-time Paralympic champion, two-time world champion and five-time European champion supplemented his collection with yet another gold trophy on a continental scale.

Immediately after his triumphal march, Ilham Zakiyev shared his impressions with R+.

- Ilham, congratulations on your brilliant victory. You easily coped with your rivals...

- This may seem so from the side. In fact, behind this victory are hard years of training and great experience. Thousands of fans supported me from the stands. It gave me extra strength. Defeat didn't even cross my mind.

- In the final, you beat Aleksandr Pominov, whom you had met before. If I'm not mistaken, he never overcame you...

- In 2013, I met Pominov in a team competition. Our encounter didn't last even two minutes - I won the fight. Pominov promised to practice and beat me. And I said, go practice. When we stepped on the scales during the European Games, I took his hand and asked, "Well, did you practice to defeat me?" He said: "Can one beat you can, Ilham?"

- You completed all your fights with ippon. Are your competitors so afraid of you?

- The secret to winning with ippon is good preparations for the competition. I was aware of this responsibility. Minor injuries couldn't prevent the victory. After all, Azerbaijan was waiting for this gold medal from me. In the European Games, President Ilham Aliyev and the head of the Baku-2015 Organizing Committee, Mehriban Aliyeva, gave me an honourable mission - to carry the torch at the opening ceremony. At the torch lighting ceremony in the Atasgah Temple, I told the president that on 26 June, Azerbaijan Armed Forces Day, I will win a medal. I promised the Commander-in-Chief and kept my promise. I dedicate my medal to Mr President and the people of Azerbaijan. And my son Hamza turns 2 years old. Daddy's medal will be a great gift for him.

- President Ilham Aliyev personally handed you the medal of the European Games. It was clear from the video that you had something to tell him...

- When the president gave me the medal, I told him that Private Zakiyev accomplished his mission and thanked him for everything. And the president replied that I deserve to be a champion. I'm happy that on Armed Forces Day I won a medal I had promised to the Commander-in-Chief.

- You were destined to become the main torchbearer of the first ever European Games. What was it like?

- I leant that I would be carrying the torch of the European Games at this grand opening ceremony three months earlier. I'm very grateful to the Azerbaijani president and the First Lady for giving me the highest confidence. When Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov said that Mehriban Aliyeva wanted me to light the fire of the first European Games, I was happy and excited. After all, on that day Azerbaijan was the centre of attention all over the world. I sincerely confess that I'd never felt so excited before.

The fact that the torch at the opening of the European Games was carried by me, a veteran of the Karabakh war, was a message to our occupier neighbours. It's no coincidence that our banner was carried by Elmar Qasimov, in whose honour the Azerbaijani flag was raised in Yerevan and the national anthem of Azerbaijan was played. By the will of the Almighty, we'll raise our flag over Karabakh and light our extinguished hearths in all the occupied lands.

- Was it not difficult to keep the fact that you will be carrying the torch at the opening ceremony confidential for so long?

- I didn't tell anyone. Even at home, they didn't know. I prayed that no problems would occur at these exciting moments. But at the first rehearsal I had a lot to learn and was completely ready for the opening. Thanks to this, I freely carried the torch and lit the fire.

- What does the victory at the European Games mean for Ilham Zakiyev?

- First, I congratulate all our people on this great sporting event. This is a historic event and a great success for our people. Of course, competing at home entails responsibility, but it's also a great honour. The awarding of medals by the president himself doubled this responsibility. For me, this victory has special significance. A gold medal at the first European Games will take a special place in my collection.

- What's the next target of the two-time Paralympic champion, five-time European champion, two-time world champion, and now the winner of the first European Games?

- After a short break it's necessary to start training again in order to begin to fight for a place in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil. I want to become a three-time champion of the Paralympic Games and am willing to work for it day and night.

With your help, I want to convey my congratulations to all the winners of the European Games, and those who failed shouldn't lose heart. Let them prepare well and show themselves in the following competitions.

- So, Ilham Zakiyev will continue his triumphal march...

- Azerbaijan pays so much attention to sports. We, athletes, are happy people. We have all the necessary conditions to win. We only have to work on ourselves. As long as I have power, I will try to raise the flag of Azerbaijan.