UNIVERSIADE SHINING WITH GRACE

One of the largest sporting events of 2025 concluded in Germany. At the 32nd World Summer Universiade, held from July 16 to 27 in the Rhine-Ruhr region, Azerbaijan’s team finished the twenty-fourth.

Gymnasts were the best

Azerbaijani athletes won two gold and two silver medals at the Universiade. The gymnasts achieved historic success. The senior group exercise team (Güllü Aghalarzade, Laman Alimuradova, Yelizaveta Luzan, Daria Sorokina, Kamilla Aliyeva) was awarded the gold medal in the all-around with a score of 50.500 points.

In the ribbon routine, the team also retained first place, scoring 22.850 points to once again reach the top of the podium and receive the gold medal. In the event with three balls and two hoops, the national team took second place with a score of 23.950 points.

Overall, Azerbaijani gymnasts achieved their best ever result at the Universiade with two golds and one silver medal.

Unfortunately, aside from gymnastics, only judo brought medals. Eljan Hajiyev (90 kg), after losing in the final, earned a silver medal at this major student competition. In other sports, Azerbaijani athletes remained off the podium.

In 24th position

In the final standings of the 32nd World Summer Universiade, Azerbaijan placed 24th, ahead of Canada, Finland, Portugal, Georgia, Belgium, Sweden, and other countries. Japan topped the medal table with 34 gold, 21 silver, and 24 bronze medals; China was second (30; 27; 17); and the US came third (28; 27; 29).

It is worth noting that the Universiade is the largest international competition for student-athletes worldwide. The tournament is held every two years and features athletes who are currently enrolled in educational institutions. In 2023, Azerbaijan ranked 38th in Chengdu, China, with three silver and six bronze medals. The two gold medals won in Germany improved on that previous result.

Two-time Universiade champion and member of the senior group rhythmic gymnastics team Güllü Aghalarzade regarded the results as a great success: "We are a very strong team. At every competition we have one goal—to represent our country with dignity on the international stage. Two gold and one silver medal is a good result. It is a sign of the strength of Azerbaijani gymnastics. Of course, we could have performed even better. Nevertheless, we are satisfied with what we have achieved. At the end of summer, another prestigious tournament awaits us. The World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship will be held in Brazil. After the Universiade, all our attention will be focused on preparing for it."

Awaiting rematch

Eljan Hajiyev, who won silver at the Universiade, admitted that he lost in the final due to insufficient preparation for the matches. According to him, this caused his defeat in the decisive bout: "Honestly, I was not fully ready for the competition. In recent months I participated in several judo tournaments. A month ago I competed at the World Championship. Then there was a tournament in Spain. During this period I had to lose weight drastically. Therefore, I felt fatigued in the final. My opponent there was South Korean Kim Jonghu. I will try to take my revenge on him at upcoming competitions. I think that winning silver under such tough conditions is still a good result."

The next 33rd World Summer Universiade will take place in South Korea. The 2027 tournament, organised under the motto "With you, with heart," will be hosted by four cities in South Korea and run from August 1 to 12 in Chungcheong Province. The student competitions will feature 18 sports: artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, archery, rowing, judo, athletics, badminton, basketball, diving, golf, and others.