Haji Aliyev | Today's AI Wiki

1. Personal Background

Haji Aliyev was born on April 21, 1991, in Nakhchivan, which is part of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in Azerbaijan. He holds Azerbaijani nationality.

2. Early Career and Junior Achievements

Aliyev began his wrestling journey early, quickly making a name for himself in junior and cadet categories. His talent was evident at the European Cadets Wrestling Championship in Daugavpils, Latvia, in 2008, where he competed in the 119 lb ^{(54 kg)} division and secured a silver medal. At 17 years old, he confidently defeated his rivals, including Vladimir Khincheashvili of Georgia in the final match.

He continued his success at the junior level, earning a silver medal at the European Juniors Wrestling Championship in Zrenjanin, Serbia, in 2011, competing in the 132 lb ^{(60 kg)} category. Domestically, Aliyev also achieved notable victories. In February 2009, he won first place at the Azerbaijani Youth Championship in the 132 lb ^{(60 kg)} category, defeating Aghahuseyn Muradov in the final. In October of the same year, he became the champion of a youth tournament dedicated to the memory of Azerbaijani National Hero Aliyar Aliyev. In December 2009, Aliyev further solidified his standing by winning the Cup of Azerbaijan among adults, overcoming all his opponents.

His early international appearances also included a fifth-place finish at an international tournament in Riga, Latvia, in March 2009, and participation in the "Presidential Tournament" in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2008, though he did not medal in the latter.

3. Major Career Achievements

Haji Aliyev has amassed an impressive collection of medals across various major international wrestling competitions, demonstrating his consistent excellence and adaptability across different weight categories.

3.1. Olympic Games

Aliyev has competed in multiple Olympic Games, earning two medals for Azerbaijan.

At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he competed in the 126 lb ^{(57 kg)} division and secured a bronze medal after defeating Vladimir Dubov of Bulgaria. Following his performance, he was honored as the flag bearer for Azerbaijan during the closing ceremonies of the Games.
He continued his Olympic success at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, where he competed in the 143 lb ^{(65 kg)} event. He advanced to the semi-finals by defeating Daulet Niyazbekov before ultimately earning a silver medal.
In 2024, Aliyev secured a quota place for Azerbaijan at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, through his performance at the 2024 European Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

3.2. World Championships

Aliyev is a three-time World Champion, consistently dominating the 134 lb ^{(61 kg)} freestyle division.

He won his first world championship gold medal at the 2014 World Wrestling Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in the freestyle 134 lb ^{(61 kg)} class.
His second gold medal came at the 2015 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, United States.
He secured his third consecutive gold medal at the 2017 World Wrestling Championships in Paris, France.
In 2022, he competed in the 143 lb ^{(65 kg)} event at the 2022 World Wrestling Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia, where he lost his bronze medal match.

3.3. European Championships

Aliyev has achieved significant success at the European Championships, securing four gold medals across different weight categories.

He won a gold medal at the 2014 European Wrestling Championships in Vantaa, Finland, competing in the 134 lb ^{(61 kg)} division, where he defeated Bekkhan Goygereyev of Russia.
He earned a bronze medal at the 2016 European Wrestling Championships in Riga, Latvia, in the 134 lb ^{(61 kg)} category.
In 2018, he secured another gold medal at the 2018 European Wrestling Championships in Kaspiysk, Russia, this time in the 143 lb ^{(65 kg)} category.
He continued his gold medal streak at the 2019 European Wrestling Championships in Bucharest, Romania, again in the 143 lb ^{(65 kg)} event.
In 2022, he won a silver medal at the 2022 European Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary, competing in the 143 lb ^{(65 kg)} category.
His most recent European gold came at the 2023 European Wrestling Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, where he competed and won in the 154 lb ^{(70 kg)} freestyle event.

3.4. Other Major International Competitions

Aliyev's medal tally extends to various other prestigious international tournaments.

European Games:
- He earned a bronze medal at the inaugural 2015 European Games held in Baku, Azerbaijan, competing in the men's freestyle 134 lb ^{(61 kg)} range.
- He won a gold medal at the 2019 European Games in Minsk, Belarus, in the 143 lb ^{(65 kg)} category.
Islamic Solidarity Games:
- He secured a gold medal at the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, in the 134 lb ^{(61 kg)} event.
- He won another gold medal at the 2021 Islamic Solidarity Games in Konya, Turkey, competing in the 143 lb ^{(65 kg)} freestyle event.
World Cup:
- He won a silver medal at the 2012 World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, in the 132 lb ^{(60 kg)} category.
- He earned a bronze medal at the 2015 World Cup in Los Angeles, United States, in the 134 lb ^{(61 kg)} category.
- He secured another bronze medal at the 2017 World Cup in Kermanshah, Iran, in the 143 lb ^{(65 kg)} category.
- He won a silver medal at the 2018 World Cup in Iowa, United States, in the 143 lb ^{(65 kg)} category.
Individual World Cup:
- In 2020, he won one of the bronze medals in the men's 143 lb ^{(65 kg)} event at the 2020 Individual Wrestling World Cup held in Belgrade, Serbia.
Summer Universiade:
- He earned a bronze medal at the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia, competing in the 132 lb ^{(60 kg)} category.
Grand Prix Events:
- Golden Grand Prix:
  - Gold: 2012 Baku (132 lb ^{(60 kg)}), 2014 Baku (134 lb ^{(61 kg)}), 2015 Baku (134 lb ^{(61 kg)})
  - Silver: 2013 Baku (132 lb ^{(60 kg)})
- Other Grand Prix Events (including Yasar Dogu and Dan Kolov & Nikola Petrov Tournaments):
  - Gold: 2014 Sofia (134 lb ^{(61 kg)}), 2014 Dortmund (143 lb ^{(65 kg)}), 2016 Dortmund (134 lb ^{(61 kg)})
  - Silver: 2011 Grozny (132 lb ^{(60 kg)}), 2018 Minsk (143 lb ^{(65 kg)}), 2023 Zagreb (154 lb ^{(70 kg)})
  - Bronze: 2013 Ankara (132 lb ^{(60 kg)}), 2012 Dortmund (132 lb ^{(60 kg)}), 2012 Kyiv (132 lb ^{(60 kg)}), 2015 Paris (143 lb ^{(65 kg)}), 2021 Warsaw (154 lb ^{(70 kg)}), 2022 Rome (154 lb ^{(70 kg)}), 2023 Warsaw (143 lb ^{(65 kg)}), 2024 Budapest (143 lb ^{(65 kg)})

4. Personal Life and Coaching

Haji Aliyev's personal coach is Elman Azimzadeh. Beyond his wrestling career, Aliyev has maintained a relatively private personal life, with no significant public controversies reported in available sources.

5. Assessment and Legacy

Haji Aliyev stands as one of the most successful freestyle wrestlers in Azerbaijani history. His remarkable achievement of three World Championship gold medals, coupled with multiple European Championship titles and two Olympic medals (a silver and a bronze), solidifies his status as a decorated athlete. His consistent performance at the highest echelons of international wrestling, often adapting to different weight categories, highlights his skill, dedication, and longevity in the sport. Aliyev's contributions have significantly elevated Azerbaijan's profile in the global wrestling community, inspiring future generations of athletes in the country. His career is marked by numerous victories and a strong competitive spirit, leaving a lasting legacy in Azerbaijani athletics.