Rafael Aghayev

Rafael Mahir Aghayev (Azerbaijani: Rafael Ağayev; born March 4, 1985, in Sumqayit, Azerbaijan SSR) is an Azerbaijani karateka. He won the silver medal in the men's kumite 75 kg division at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. He is a five-time world champion, and eleven-time European champion in his discipline.[1] Aghayev is currently signed by Karate Combat and is the reigning welterweight champion in the promotion with a record of 5-0.

Rafael Aghayev
Aghayev in 2018
Born (1985-03-04) 4 March 1985
Sumgait, Azerbaijan
Native nameRafael Ağayev
Other namesPanther of the East
Diamond of the Karate World
NicknamePanther of the East
Diamond of the Karate World
Nationality Azerbaijan
Height167 cm (5 ft 6 in)
Division-75 kg
StyleShotokan
Teacher(s)Rahman Hatamov
RankBlack Belt, 5th dan
Websiteaghayev-rafael.com
Medal record
Men's karate
Representing  Azerbaijan
Summer Olympics
Silver medal – second place 2020 Tokyo Kumite −75 kg
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2006 Tampere Kumite −70 kg
Gold medal – first place 2008 Tokyo Kumite −70 kg
Gold medal – first place 2008 Tokyo Kumite open
Gold medal – first place 2010 Belgrade Kumite −75 kg
Gold medal – first place 2016 Linz Kumite −75 kg
Silver medal – second place 2010 Belgrade Team kumite
Silver medal – second place 2012 Paris Kumite −75 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Madrid Kumite −75 kg
Bronze medal – third place2021 DubaiTeam kumite
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 2004 Moscow Kumite −65 kg
Gold medal – first place 2005 Tenerife Kumite open
Gold medal – first place 2007 Bratislava Kumite −70 kg
Gold medal – first place 2007 Bratislava Kumite open
Gold medal – first place 2008 Tallinn Kumite open
Gold medal – first place 2009 Zagreb Kumite −75 kg
Gold medal – first place 2010 Athens Kumite −75 kg
Gold medal – first place 2013 Budapest Kumite -75 kg
Gold medal – first place 2015 Istanbul Kumite -75 kg
Gold medal – first place 2016 Montpellier Kumite -75 kg
Gold medal – first place 2018 Novi Sad Kumite -75 kg
Silver medal – second place 2019 Guadalajara Kumite -75 kg
Silver medal – second place 2008 Tallinn Kumite −70 kg
Silver medal – second place2021 PorečKumite -75 kg
Silver medal – second place2022 GaziantepTeam kumite
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Tallinn Team kumite
Bronze medal – third place 2009 Zagreb Team kumite
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Athens Team kumite
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Zürich Kumite −75 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Tenerife Kumite −75 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Tenerife Team kumite
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Istanbul Team kumite
Bronze medal – third place2021 Poreč Team kumite
World Games
Gold medal – first place 2013 Cali Kumite −75 kg
World Combat Games
Gold medal – first place 2013 Saint Petersburg Kumite −75 kg
European Games
Gold medal – first place 2015 Baku Kumite −75 kg
Silver medal – second place 2019 Minsk Kumite −75 kg
Islamic Solidarity Games
Gold medal – first place 2013 Palembang Kumite −75 kg
Gold medal – first place 2017 Baku Kumite −75 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2005 Mecca Kumite −75 kg

Early life

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 graduating in 2007 as a specialty trainer-instructor in karate. From 2007 to 2008, he served in the Azerbaijani Armed 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.[2]

Aghayev's father encouraged a love for sports in his three sons, and thus, Aghayev always intended to pursue a career in athletics.  His oldest brother Ruslan trained in Judo, and his second oldest brother Rustam is a boxer.[2]

At seven years old, Aghayev became involved in football, and at the same time, began training in karate under the instruction of his first coach, Rafael Mammadov. He went on to train for several years. Participating in the first national competition, he was noticed and invited to train in one of the famous sports clubs of the Republic, Budokan, under the leadership of Fizuli Musayev.[2]

Career
Aghayev hitting Japanese karateka Yusei Sakiyama at 2018 German Open

At the first championship of the Republic, Aghayev won an overwhelming victory over all his rivals and was noted by the President of the National Karate Federation, Yashar Bashirov, who saw great potential in him and his unusual fighting tactics. Aghayev was very diligent and had the will to win, but he lacked international experience. He first took part in the National Team in 1997, at the open World Cup in Miskolc, Hungary. His first performances were not successful at the international level competition, but the next year he won the Open Championship of England and performed very well from then on.[2]

At his first World Championship among Cadets and Juniors, which was held in 2001 in Athens, he won 3rd place in the team event, 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 as World Champion. 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 70 kg weight category and in the open category. The President of the World Karate Federation, Antonio Espinosa called him the "Diamond of the Karate World."[2]

Hidayat Shabanov, a senior team coach, played an important role in Aghayev's career. For more than eight years, Shabanov trained him and shared in his victories. For outstanding sports achievements at the international arena, Aghayev has repeatedly received awards from the National Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan Republic, and he ranked amongst the ten best sportsmen of the country for several consecutive years. From the official sponsor of the Federation, the International Bank of Azerbaijan, he received the keys for a new apartment in one of the elite areas of the city, as well as an Audi Q7.[2]

Currently, 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, Azerbaijan was the host country for the inaugural European Games. Competing in karate, more specifically Kumite for 75 kilograms, he earned a gold medal.

In August 2021, Aghayev competed in the inaugural Olympics Karate event, earning silver medal in the Men's kumite 75 kg division.

Championships and accomplishments

Karate Combat record
Professional record breakdown
5 matches 5 wins 0 losses
By knockout 0 0
By decision 5 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 5–0 Josh Quayhagen Decision (unanimous) Karate Combat 40 June 24, 2023 5 3:00 Miami, Florida, United States Won the undisputed Karate Combat Welterweight Championship.
Win 4–0 Raymond Daniels Decision (unanimous) Karate Combat 37 December 17, 2022 5 3:00 Orlando, Florida, United States Won the interim Karate Combat Welterweight Championship.
Win 3–0 Davy Dona Decision (unanimous) Karate Combat Season 4 Event 4 June 25, 2022 3 3:00 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 2–0 Zsolt Habda Decision (unanimous) Karate Combat Season 4 Event 3 June 11, 2022 3 3:00 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 1–0 Dionicio Gustavo Decision (unanimous) Karate Combat: Genesis February 3, 2018 3 3:00 Budapest, Hungary

See also

References
  1. "Jack Slack's Top Strikers: Rafael Aghayev". 15 October 2012.
  2. "Rafael Aghayev". Official Website. Archived from the original on 15 August 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
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