Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

“It is a great honor for me to be an ambassador of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games,” said Azerbaijan’s karate fighter Rafael Aghayev, as he was interviewed by the official website of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Game.

“I choose “Respect” out of 4 principles of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games. This principle was passed to me from my parents. I am 31 year old, and even now when my father enters the room I stand up. That’s one of the examples of respect our parents taught us,” he said.

Aghayev, speaking about his numerous victories, said that his hard work, struggles, family and nation stand behind these victories. “This programme allows me to give back the energy and support to my nation,” he added.

Rafael Aghayev, nicknamed “Brilliant of the world karate”, is the gold medalist of the first European Games. Not so long ego, Aghayev has become the fife-time world champion.

Aghayev, speaking about the upcoming games, said everyone expects gold medals from athletes. “It will not be easy, because we will face the strongest opponents in our kind of sport but we will do whatever we can to show the best results,” he noted.

The Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games is an exciting multi-sport event uniting the Islamic world, which will take place from 12 – 22 May 2017.

Athletes from Islamic countries around the world will be representing their nations over 10 days of competition across 20 different sports which include 23 disciplines (Athletics and Para Athletics, Aquatics – Diving, Aquatics – Swimming, Aquatics – Water Polo, Basketball 3x3, Football, Gymnastics – Artistic, Gymnastics – Rhythmic, Wushu, Table Tennis, Handball, Judo and Blind Judo, Wrestling – Greco, Wrestling – Freestyle, Shooting, Tennis, Volleyball, Boxing, Zurkhaneh, Karate, Taekwondo and Weightlifting) in 16 modern competition venues in Baku.

Azerbaijan’s capital city Baku was awarded the Games at the General Assembly of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) in Jeddah in July 2013.

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