Ilham Zakiyev Explained

Ilham Zakiyev
Native Name:İlham Əzizağa oğlu Zəkiyev
Native Name Lang:az
Fullname:Ilham Azizaga oglu Zakiyev
Birth Date:3 March 1980
Birth Place:Sumgayit
Education:School N5 in Sumgayit
Country:Azerbaijan
Sport:Paralympic judo
Disability:Blind
Disability Class:B1
Rank Ref:[1]
Dan:7
Coach:Ibragim Ibragimov
Updated:22 August 2023

Ilham Azizaga oglu Zakiyev (Azerbaijani: İlham Zəkiyev, born 3 March 1980, Sumgayit) is an Azerbaijani blind judoka.

Career

He began studying judo when he was 11 years of age. In 1998, when he was 18, he went to serve in Azerbaijani army in the Aşağı Əbdürrəhmanlı village of Fizuli Rayon. He served on the frontline of the conflict zone. On 4 February 1999, he was wounded by a bullet to the head by an Armenian sniper, while on a combat mission. The bullet passed through the entire head, entering from the left and exiting via the right temple. As a result, Zakiyev has completely lost his eyesight. After a long rehabilitation he returned to the sport but as a paralympian. He is the holder of a 7-dan black belt.[2]

He won a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Paralympics[3] and the 2008 Beijing Paralympics in the +100 kg division.[4] Zakiyev has been European champion eight times, and has twice been the World champion.[5]

Personal life

In 2008, Zakiyev received the Shohrat Order for his services in the development of Azerbaijani sport.[6]

He is an avid supporter of Neftchi Baku.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: IJF Dan Grades Awardees . . 9 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230218112607/https://78884ca60822a34fb0e6-082b8fd5551e97bc65e327988b444396.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/up/2023/02/Liste_Grades_14022023-16764493-1676449342.pdf . 18 February 2023 . 3 . en.
  2. Web site: 2018 World Judo Championships: Two new champions crowned on a day of redemption in Baku. 2022-03-11.
  3. Web site: Results, 2004 . Official Website of the Paralympic Movement . 13 October 2011.
  4. Web site: Results, 2008 . Official Website of the Paralympic Movement . 13 October 2011.
  5. Web site: Goda . Nicholas . Azerbaijan judokas target further success in Rio . www.paralympic.org . 8 November 2014.
  6. Web site: Azerbaijani President confers order on Ilham Zakiyev . en.trend.az . 8 November 2014.
  7. Web site: Cüdo üzrə ikiqat paralimpiya çempionu İlham Zəkiyev də "Neftçi"yə dəstək oldu . www.olimpiya.az . 8 November 2014 . Azerbaijani . 8 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141108033857/http://www.olimpiya.az/?page=content&lang=1&content=6432 . dead .