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 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.[3]

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.[3]

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.[3]

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 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.[3]

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."[3]

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.[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.

Aghayev receiving a hit by Japanese karateka Yusei Sakiyama at 2018 German Open

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.

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 becames 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, who 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, and tournaments. The invitations also come from countries that favor the sport of karate, such as France, Germany, Spain, the United States of America, Canada etc., where the best specialists are studying scrutinizing the style and tactics of martial arts followed by Rafael. Despite this, Rafael Aghayev remains unconquerable.[3]

• Karate World Championships
• European Karate Championships

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rəfael Ağayev.

• Complete karate results and charts
• Путь к Победе Рафаэль Агаев
• Rafael Aghayev on instagram
• Aghayev on world karate federation
• rafael-aghayev on karaterecord