FIVE LICENCES TO PARIS

As the Summer Olympics approach, the tally of Azerbaijani athletes securing licenses for the world's preeminent competition swells. Last year's licenseless Azerbaijani wrestling team seized the opportunity to redeem itself at the European Qualification Tournament (EQT) hosted in Baku from April 5 to 7.

The Collapse of the Greco-Roman Wrestlers

The domestic wrestlers' tournament commenced inauspiciously. The inaugural day of the tournament crowned the Greco-Roman wrestling titans, yet, regrettably, Azerbaijan's contender was absent from this elite group. Beka Kandelaki emerged as the standout, advancing to the semi-finals only to succumb to Sergey Semenov, competing under a neutral banner. Our other athletes faced defeat at even earlier stages.

In the 60kg category, expectations were pinned on Nihad Mammadli. Alas, the 21-year-old wrestler's showing rendered such hopes unfounded, as he was bested by a representative from fraternal Türkiye. Another athlete will now undertake the last license competition's challenge.

Murad Akhmadiev and Islam Abbasov, metaphorically speaking, accepted the baton from Nihad, only to also falter against their adversaries. Abbasov, esteemed as one of the team's most seasoned members, was ousted early on—in his initial bout.

The women's team likewise failed to elicit cheers from supporters. Maria Stadnik, the squad's vanguard, elicited the most profound disappointment. Despite her eleven European championships and two world titles, Stadnik was vanquished in the license-granting final by Ukraine's Oksana Livach. Although Stadnik engaged with commendable confidence, a momentary lapse at the bout's conclusion inadvertently handed victory to her opponent. This loss seemingly cast a pall over the team, as Elnura Mammadova (53kg), Jala Aliyeva (57kg), Birgul Soltanova (62kg), and Elis Manolova (68kg) sequentially exited the tournament in their initial matches.

The Victorious 'Free Riders'

The sting of initial defeats did not dampen the freestyle wrestlers' morale. On the tournament's concluding day, each wrestler gracing the mat departed with an Olympic license. In the up-to-57kg division, Aliabbas Rzazade clinched his Olympic berth by successively overcoming competitors from Italy, Türkiye, and North Macedonia. His triumph over North Macedonia's Vladimir Yegorov in the final bout compensated for his prior European Championship finale loss.

Haji Aliyev, bereft of a World Championship license the previous year, attained his primary objective in Baku. The 33-year-old, thrice-crowned world champion, overcame reigning European champion Islam Dudayev. Though Haji Aliyev's performance fell short of expectations, his seasoned prowess nonetheless secured his passage to a third Olympic appearance.

In the 74kg class, Turan Bayramov endured a gruelling path to get his licese. After dispatching Swiss and Romanian contenders, the 23-year-old faced his familiar foe, world and European champion Frank Chamiso from Italy, in the pivotal match. Bayramov, initially commanding a significant lead (6:0), relinquished control towards the end, permitting Chamiso to accrue points. The bout concluded in an 8:8 stalemate, yet the judges awarded Turan Bayramov the victory for his superior holds.

Osman Nurmagomedov, competing in the 86kg category, secured his Parisian ticket with a quartet of successive wins. His tenacity proved instrumental, leaving Ukrainian Vasil Mikhailov no quarter in the decisive match.

Representing Azerbaijan in the heavyweight division, Giorgi Meshvildishvili faced scant opposition in the up-to-125kg category. With merely two bouts, his triumph over Bulgaria's Alen Khubulov garnered his inaugural license. Consequently, the freestyle wrestlers will attend the Olympics with a full roster.

Winning the Olympics as a Goal

Khetag Gazumov, head coach of the Azerbaijani national freestyle wrestling team, expressed contentment with the European Olympic qualifying tournament's outcomes: "I am immensely gratified that during my tenure as head coach, we have secured five licenses. We have lived up to the federation president's and fans' expectations. The wrestlers in whom we placed our trust have realized their principal ambition. This success bodes well for our emerging talent. Post-competition, there will be no respite. The national team, alongside the youth, will proceed to a training camp in Guba."

Aliabbas Rzazade, the freestyle wrestler who earned a 57kg category license, declared his singular aim at the Paris Olympics is to clinch the championship. "Competing on home soil bestows additional motivation. I hold all my adversaries in high regard. I am convinced that I will triumph at the Olympic Games. Every contender is formidable. In Paris, my pursuit is the gold medal. Reflecting on my past bouts, I recognize my progress. My principal Olympic adversary is Russia's Zaur Uguyev, the latest European champion and a two-time world titleholder. Vanquishing him will secure my medal. I have no doubts about this."

Last Chance

It is noteworthy that wrestlers who failed to obtain a license in Baku will vie in the ultimate qualification tournament come May. The Istanbul-hosted event will feature the globe's elite athletes yet to secure a license.

Azerbaijani wrestlers who underperformed must draw the correct inferences. Absent such introspection, aspirations for a license will likely remain unfulfilled at the final tournament.

Conversely, freestyle athletes who excelled must persist in rigorous training despite their laudable achievements. The wrestling prowess displayed in Baku may prove insufficient for Olympic medal contention in Paris. The athletes must attain peak form within the ensuing three months.