The Azerbaijan Cup in sambo wrestling, dedicated to the memory of Honored Coach Abulfaz Aliyev, was held at the Absheron Olympic Sports Complex among juniors, youth, and senior athletes.

The sambo athletes representing the “Neftchi” Sports Club delivered a strong performance, winning 25 medals at the tournament: 11 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze medals.

Among the juniors, Yusif Aliyev (64 kg) and Elgun Shiralizade (79 kg) won gold medals after finishing all of their bouts with victories. Huseyn Guliyev (+98 kg) took second place, while Nihad Guliyev (98 kg) finished third.

In the youth category, Lachin Zahidov (58 kg), Tuncay Shamil (98 kg), and Hacibaba Imamaliyev (+98 kg) became Azerbaijan Cup champions. Elcan Alakbarov (58 kg), Elgun Shiralizade (79 kg), and Sadiq Nadirov (88 kg) won silver medals, while Rahim Ismayilov (71 kg) earned a bronze medal.

Among the senior athletes, Sahib Babayev (58 kg), Tural Allahverdiyev (64 kg), Ricat Nadirov (79 kg), Adil Adilzade (88 kg), Tuncay Shamil (98 kg), and Mahammad Mammadzade (+98 kg) defeated all their opponents and claimed the top step of the podium.

Vagif Mirzali (58 kg), Mirfattah Seyidaliyev (64 kg), Kerem Babazade (79 kg), and Sadiq Nadirov (88 kg) won silver medals after losing only in their decisive final matches.

Other Neftchi sambo athletes — Elcan Alakbarov (58 kg), Abdurrahman Sabzaliyev (71 kg), Shirin Javadzade (98 kg), and Hacibaba Imamaliyev (+98 kg) — finished the competition in third place.