Togrul Askerov Azerbaijani freestyle wrestler Date of Birth: 17.09.1992 Country: Azerbaijan

Toghrul Askerov - Azerbaijani Freestyle Wrestler

Toghrul Askerov is an Azerbaijani freestyle wrestler, a member of the Azerbaijan national team. He was born on September 17, 1992, in the city of Ganja, Azerbaijan. Askerov began his wrestling career in 2002 under the guidance of his personal coach, Elchin Zeynalov. Initially, he practiced judo but switched to freestyle wrestling based on his coach's recommendation.

In 2008, Askerov won gold at the Youth European Wrestling Championship held in Daugavpils. The following year, he became a double European champion among youth wrestlers in Zrenjanin. In June 2010, Askerov became the European champion in the junior category in Samokov. In the same year, he won a silver medal at the Junior World Wrestling Championship in Budapest.

In September 2010, at the age of 17, Askerov made his debut in the senior category at the World Wrestling Championship in Moscow. Despite his young age, he achieved remarkable success and won the silver medal. Askerov continued to excel in his career and became the Olympic champion in 2012 at the London Games, making him the first Olympic champion born in independent Azerbaijan.

After his Olympic victory, Askerov faced health issues and had to undergo treatment in Turkey, which caused him to miss the European and World Championships in 2013. However, he remained dedicated to his training and made a successful comeback. In 2015, Askerov became the champion at the inaugural European Games.

In 2016, Askerov participated in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and won the silver medal. He continues to represent Azerbaijan in international wrestling competitions, showcasing his exceptional skills and determination.

On September 1, 2016, Askerov was awarded the Order "For Service to the Fatherland" by the President of Azerbaijan, recognizing his significant contributions to the development of sports in the country.