Rafael Aghayev

After graduating from secondary school No. 21 in 2003, Aghayev entered the field of martial arts at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Physical Culture and Sport, as a specialty trainer-instructor in karate, before graduating in 2007. From 2007 to 2008 he served in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces forces in the Aghjabadi District, before being transferred to the Central Sports Club of the Ministry of Defence due to his status as a promising sportsman.[3]

Aghayev's father encouraged a love of sports in his three sons (Rafael, and his two older brothers) and thus Aghayev always intended to pursue a career in athletics.  His oldest brother Ruslan trained in Judo, and his second brother Rustam is a boxer.[3]

At 7 years old, he became involved in football and at the same time began training in karate under the instruction of his first coach Rafael Mammadov, going on to train for several years. Participating at the first national competitions, he was noticed and invited to train in one of the famous sports clubs of the Republic, Budokan, under the leadership of Fizuli Musayev.[3]

Already at the first championship of the Republic, Rafael won an overwhelming victory over all his rivals and was noted by the President of the National Karate Federation Yashar Bashirov, who saw in him great potential and unusual tactics of fighting. Aghayev was very diligent and had a will to win, but he lacked international experience. At the international level competitions, he first took part in the composition of the National Team in 1997, at an open World Cup in Miskolc (Hungary). Unfortunately, his first performances were not successful, but the next year he won the Open Championship of England and from then on performed very well.[3]

At his first World Championship among Cadets and Juniors, which was held in 2001 in Athens (Greece), in the team event, he won 3rd place, and the following year became the European Champion. Thus, up to this day, he holds the lead in his weight class. Despite his young age, he managed to achieve all of the highest sporting victories in karate; he is a multiple European Champion and repeated World Champion. He holds the record, when at one World Championship; he was able to win two gold medals. This happened in 2008 at the 18th World Championship in Tokyo, when he won in the weight category of 70 kg and the other one in the open category (open). The President of the World Karate Federation, Antonio Espinosa called him "Diamond of the Karate World."[3]

Hidayat Shabanov, a senior team coach, played an important role in Aghayev's career. For more than 8 years, Shabanov trained him and shared in his victory. For outstanding sports achievements at the international arena Aghayev has repeatedly received awards from the leadership of the National Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan Republic, and several consecutive years he entered the ten best sportsmen of the country. From the official sponsor of the Federation, the International Bank of Azerbaijan he received the keys from a new apartment in one of the elite areas of the city, as well as an Audi Q7.[3]

Currently, Rafael Aghayev is captain of the Azerbaijan Team, and is continuing to train and perform under the guidance of new senior coach Rahman Hatamov.

In June 2015, he competed in the inaugural European Games, for the host country Azerbaijan in karate, more specifically, Kumite for 75 kilograms. He earned a gold medal.

Despite all the merits and achievements in sports Rafael in everyday life is very unpretentious and conducts a plain living. His zodiac sign is Pisces. He spends his spare time watching movies, playing soccer and chatting with friends. Rafael has an amazing character, in any company he became a leader and knows how to find the correct way out of difficult situations.[3]

The leadership of the National Karate Federation created all favorable conditions for training and performances at international competitions. Rafael receives a monthly scholarship for financial stability. Rafael's calendar is very eventful, because he has many fans around the world, which are waiting for his arrival with great impatience. Practically every month he receives invitations from different continents and countries of the world to conduct various educational and training seminars, team practice sessions, tournaments. The invitations also come from countries that are favorites of sport karate, such as France, Germany, Spain, the United States of America, Canada etc., where, under the scrutiny of the best specialists are studying the style and tactics of martial arts, followed by Rafael, but, despite this – Rafael Aghayev remains unconquerable.[3]

• Complete karate results and charts
• Путь к Победе Рафаэль Агаев