Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijani referee Rza Aliyev has received IFG first category, after participating in the Intercontinental Judges Course in Bratislava, Slovakia.

He became the first ever Azerbaijani referee in gymnastics to get the first category, the AGF reported. This category will be valid for the next Olympic cycle (4 years).

The first Intercontinental Judges Course for the 2017-2020 Olympic cycle was held on November 28 - December 1 in Bratislava.

In the Slovakian capital, 122 of the best judges in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics representing 64 national federations took part in an intensive four day course and examination process to recertify the Brevet status that allows them to judge at the international level.

Gymnastics has already gained a momentum in Azerbaijan and not conceding to other sports, which have already taken deep root in the country.

The Land of Fire has become home for many significant gymnastics international tournaments over the recent years. Today, all seven gymnastics disciplines acknowledged by the FIG are being developed in the country.

The Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation was acknowledged to be the best federation and the iconic 9,000-seat National Gymnastics Arena, designed to host all gymnastics disciplines declared the best Arena by the Azerbaijan Youth and Sports Ministry in the country in 2015.

Designed to host all gymnastics disciplines, National Gymnastics Arena opened in 2014, is now able to host gymnasts' training for international tournaments.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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