I am proud of my friends in the team…

My participation in the world championship among judo masters in Abu Dhabi as part of the national team of judo veterans of Azerbaijan will forever remain in my memory as one of the most important events in my sports life.

Any competition is, first of all, a serious test: a test of how to pass the preparatory stage, and how to demonstrate the will and ability to fight. I must admit that it was very important for me to perform successfully in the tournament held in 2023, which was declared the Year of Heydar Aliyev in our country due to the 100th anniversary of the Great Leader. The competition held in Abu Dhabi was the first serious tournament and test for me after the successful military operations to free our ancestral lands from occupation after the pandemic and the 2020 Patriotic War, local anti-terrorist measures that ended with the Azerbaijani flag flying over Khankendi again.

I really wanted to be a champion, to support the winning spirit that reigns in our society. I am very happy and proud that I managed to become the world champion. When I stood on the podium and the whole hall listened to the national anthem of Azerbaijan and looked at the country’s proudly raised flag, I could hardly stop myself from blushing. That’s why the gold medal of the world championship held in the capital of the United Arab Emirates will always be especially dear to me.

At a time when our national flag was raised in Khankendi and other cities of Karabakh, it was very important for me to raise our flag in honor of the victory of Azerbaijani sports. I am very glad that already on the first day of the championship, on the eve of Victory Day and National Flag Day, I was able to contribute to the winning spirit of our country.

The raising of the Azerbaijani flag and the playing of our national anthem in honor of the victory of the Azerbaijani judokas at the awarding ceremony made me feel extremely proud of my beloved country. Feeling infinite gratitude to the soldiers of the Azerbaijan Army who won Victory on the battlefields in Karabakh under the command of the President of Azerbaijan, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, we felt very happy as representatives of the victorious people and the victorious state.

Azer Askerov