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Judo players celebrate this day, October 28, as the most significant day and holiday. Jigaro Kano, the creator of judo, great master, educator, and scientist, was born in Japan in 1860. As a person who made an incomparable contribution to the world of martial arts, his memory is dear and unforgettable to everyone who puts on judoka and steps on the tatami.
Judo has a history in Azerbaijan, and like the fate of thousands of our compatriots, this sport has an unparalleled role in my life. On this significant day, we remember with respect and honor the persons who have rendered important services in the creation and development of judo in our country. Some have attained the truth and are in our ranks today.
I am fortunate to have learned the secrets of judo from one of those people – an honored physical education and sportsman, knight of the “Glory” and 1st class “For Service to the Fatherland” orders, my dear teacher Tarlan Hasanov. I still meet him every time. He is valuable to me.
Azerbaijani judo pleases us with its remarkable achievements. The names of our four Olympic champions – Nazim Huseynov, Elnur Mammadli, Hidayat Heydarov and Zelim Kotsoyev, as well as our Olympic medalists Rustam Orujov, Elmar Gasimov, Mevlud Miraliyev, our two-time Paralympic champion Ilham Zakiyev, Paralympic champion Ramil Gasimov, and our world and European champions have a special place in our country’s sports history.
Azerbaijan is a world-class sports country that hosts the most prestigious judo competitions. The 2018 world championship was held in Baku, and in 2026, our capital will again host world judokas.
The state cares for the development of judo in our country, the Honorable President, the President of the National Olympic Committee, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, like other sports, constantly supports judo and judo players.
I am proud of the achievements of the “Judo Club 2012” sports club, which I founded as a member of the Azerbaijani judo family. Our club operates sections for all age groups, and necessary conditions have been created for the Azerbaijan Judo Veterans Association members. In our activities, we constantly feel the attention and concern of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation, its management, and the Executive Committee.
There is a lot to write and talk about Azerbaijani judo on this significant day. Maybe not enough to fit in a book… However, this is a holiday greeting and I convey my heart to all judo lovers and say: Happy World Judo Day! I wish everyone a healthy and long life, joy, and victory!
Azer Askerov
On August 3, a traditional gala night was held in Paris, the capital of France, organized by the International Judo Federation. Representatives of the Olympic participating countries selected for their special services in the field of sports were invited to the event.
The general secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan Azer Aliyev, Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov, and Deputy Minister Mariana Vasileva participated in the gala evening.
At the special invitation of the President of the European Judo Union, Laszlo Toth, the president of the Association of Azerbaijan Judo Veterans, a member of the Executive Committee of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation, a multiple winner and prize-winner of the world and European championships among veteran masters, the founder of the sports club “Judo Club 2012”, Azer Askerov was among the official guests of the event.
It should be noted that the Azerbaijani delegation feels the constant care of the President of the European Judo Union Laszlo Tot and his wife Afag Tapdigova.
It should be noted that Azerbaijani judokas won 2 gold medals at the Paris-2024 Summer Olympic Games. The medals were won by Hidayat Heydarov (-73 kg) and Zelim Kotsoyev (-100 kg), a member of “Judo Club 2012”. With this result, our team achieved a historic result by finishing the judo competitions with the overall score and in second place among men after the Japanese team (3 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze).
The day we, the citizens of Azerbaijan, elected the President of the country for the next 7 years – February 7, 2024 – will go down in history as the day of national voting for the sake of security and stability, development and progress. And when we voted for Ilham Aliyev, we were sure that we were voting for a leader who showed an example of courageous leadership in a situation where we are faced with the double standards policy of some countries, for the further strengthening and prosperity of our country.
Election day became a significant event in our social and political life. This was the real victory day of the acting head of our state. Personally, I have never seen so many voters come to vote on election day. I must admit that I felt a sense of pride for our nation, its leader, and our country from the sight I saw on my way to the polling station in high spirits.
The most pleasant and surprising thing was that after the announcement of the preliminary results of the vote, the people literally poured into the streets. At night, there was a real national celebration everywhere in Azerbaijan: on the streets of Baku, Ganja, Shusha and other cities of our country, cars with flags were honking, music was playing everywhere, people were dancing.
As a sign of respect and gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev, the people expressed their love like this, and rejoiced at his victory in the elections.
I remember three events where I saw such national joy: in April 2016, the myth of the invincibility of the Armenian occupying army was destroyed and a part of our territories were liberated; After the glorious victory in the 44-day war in 2020 and the complete liberation of all the occupied territories of Azerbaijan from the Armenian aggressors, as well as the announcement of the preliminary results of the elections on the evening of February 7 this year…
Giving national support to Ilham Aliyev in the elections held on February 7 is a proof of our great faith, gratitude and infinite trust in his wise policy, strategic programs and projects that paved the way for modern achievements of Azerbaijan in all fields.
Everyone in our country and all over the world knows how Azerbaijan has changed in recent years. Continuing the course of development defined by the great leader Heydar Aliyev, Ilham Aliyev implemented changes and reforms that allowed strengthening the foundations of statehood and modernizing many areas of the economy. During these years, thanks to his dedication, determination, high political culture and ability to listen to the voice of the people, a strong state with influence in the world of politics and economy was established. I would especially like to mention Ilham Aliyev’s principled and independent political decisions aimed at ensuring the security and stable development of the Motherland, which have won the full support of the people of Azerbaijan, and his uncompromising position on the protection of the country’s territorial integrity. The votes we cast in the current elections clearly prove once again that we all stand shoulder to shoulder with the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev and are ready to face all kinds of challenges with him.
In the congratulations addressed to Ilham Aliyev by heads of state and heads of international organizations from different countries of the world, on the occasion of his confident victory in the extraordinary presidential elections, his high political influence, public support for the continuous socio-economic development of Azerbaijan are sincerely acknowledged, and good wishes are expressed to our President…
I consider February 7, 2024 as the day of celebration and gratitude of the people’s faith in their leader – President Ilham Aliyev!
Azer Askerov
Dear friends!
Happy New Year and World Azerbaijani Solidarity Day! Let the joy, enthusiasm, and success of these days be inexhaustible!
2023 – a year full of historical events and challenges, persistent action, and victories comes to an end. The year 2023, which we have set off, will go down in the history of our country, first of all, as the year when the state sovereignty of Azerbaijan was completely restored as a result of the local anti-terrorist measures implemented with the use of high-precision weapons on September 19.
After the signing of the Declaration dated November 10, 2020, our Brave Army forced approximately 15,000 contingents of the Armenian armed forces remaining in Karabakh to surrender in less than 24 hours. Armenia was trying to block the international obligations and agreements it undertook by its actions that incite and tempt separatism. However, President Ilham Aliyev’s precise, perfect, and decisive policy based on Azerbaijan’s right to fully control its territory within the framework of state sovereignty and international law gave results. That is why 2023 is another year of success and victory for our country. Today, thousands of former IDPs live in Karabakh, their houses are being rapidly restored by our state, and this process is gaining momentum.
As a businessman, I am proud of the global projects implemented both in the liberated territories and in our country. This is proof of Azerbaijan’s strength and power. I am proud of the achievements and once again understand that the main issue is not only success but also the importance of the work done. I wish all of us successful work, inspiring ideas, and auspicious projects in the New Year.
As a judoka, I have long understood that qualities such as willpower, endurance, patience, and getting back up after a fall are crucial to success in life. May the coming year bring you only a high spirit of struggle, and the happiness of meeting your dreams and desires.
Friends, World Azerbaijani Solidarity Day reminds us of the importance of unity and supporting each other. Let’s be even closer in the new year, be even stronger, and be ready to overcome all difficulties together. Let our roads be full of bright events and new opportunities in 2024.
Happy New Year!
Azer Askerov
