Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

The 9th Golden Grand Prix International Wrestling Tournament commemorating Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev solemnly wrapped up in Baku.

The tournament brought together nearly 500 wrestlers from 49 countries.

Showing their great techniques and strength, Azerbaijani wrestlers claimed 7 gold, 3 silver and 7 bronze medals, Azertac reported.

The Azerbaijani athletes have already achieved great successes and recognition at the international area.

Over the past nine years, the national wrestlers have brought home a clutch of 192 medals, including 63 gold, 49 silver and 80 bronze.

The Greco-Roman wrestlers have claimed 28 gold, 19 silver and 28 bronze medals.

Azerbaijan's freestyle wrestlers have gained 26 gold, 23 silver and 37 bronze medals.

The female wrestlers also show excellent results, with 9 gold, 7 silver and 15 bronze medals.

Wrestling remains the most popular sport in the county and is overseen by the National Wrestling Federation, which was established in 1993.

The Rio Games opened a new page in wrestling for Azerbaijan. The country became one of only two nations ever to increase the number of medals achieved in five consecutive Games.

Azerbaijan left Rio de Janeiro with a total of 18 medals, signifying the nation's most successful Olympic outcome in its independent history. Nine of these medals were distributed to the Azerbaijani team in wrestling, three in taekwondo for the first time, and two each in boxing, sprint canoeing, and judo.

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

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