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Arif AbdullayevAzerbaijani freestyle wrestler, former member of the Azerbaijan national team.
Date of Birth: 28.08.1968
Country:  Azerbaijan |
Content:
- Arif Abdullaev: Azerbaijani Wrestling Legend
- National and European Success
- World Championship Triumph
- Olympic Glory and Road to Gold
Arif Abdullaev: Azerbaijani Wrestling Legend
Early Life and CareerArif Abdullaev, a distinguished Azerbaijani freestyle wrestler, was born on August 28, 1968, in the bustling city of Baku. His journey into the world of wrestling began in 1983 at the Spartak sports society under the watchful eye of renowned coach Vahid Mamedov. He quickly embarked on a competitive path, participating in various wrestling tournaments. Subsequently, Abdullaev represented the prestigious Gumrukcu and Neftchi clubs.
National and European Success
Abdullaev's exceptional talent earned him numerous titles as Azerbaijan's wrestling champion. His international breakthrough came in 1995 when he secured a bronze medal at the European Championships. He replicated this feat the following year, once again claiming a coveted third place in Europe. In 2002, the European Championships graced Baku, and Abdullaev seized the opportunity to capture a silver medal on home soil.
World Championship Triumph
The pinnacle of Abdullaev's career came in 2003 when he conquered the world at the World Championships in New York City. Not only did he don the coveted title of world champion, but he also secured a berth at the upcoming Athens Olympics.
Olympic Glory and Road to Gold
Abdullaev's Olympic debut in Athens was marked by a disappointing loss to Hungarian wrestler Gyorgi Voler. However, fate intervened when Voler succumbed to an Albanian opponent, granting Abdullaev another chance to advance. With determination, he defeated Albanian wrestler Sahit Prizreni and embarked on a relentless path. He triumphed over Austrian Lubos Kikel, Uzbek Damir Zakhartdinov, and Indian Sushil Kumar in the 1/8 finals, quarter-finals, and semi-finals, respectively. In the grand finale, Abdullaev prevailed over a formidable Cuban opponent with a score of 5:3, etching his name into the history of wrestling.
