Azerbaijani athletes shine bright with five gold medals at 3rd CIS Games

Azerbaijani athletes delivered an impressive performance at the 3rd Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Games, securing five gold medals while demonstrating strong prowess across two major sports disciplines — taekwondo and sambo.

In both sports, five Azerbaijani competitors advanced to the finals, underscoring the country’s dominance and determination not to relinquish top honors. The Dayang masters emerged as the standout contingent, amassing a total of 11 medals — comprising three gold, two silver, and six bronze.

Gold medalists included Ziya Hasanli (63 kg), Humay Dadashova (46 kg), and Maryam Mammadova (53 kg), with Hasanli’s triumph notably marking Azerbaijan’s first gold of the Games. Hasanli dedicated his victory to the martyrs of the Second Karabakh War, adding emotional significance to the achievement. Silver medals were claimed by Umid Rahimzada (54 kg) and Eljhan Aliyev (74 kg), while bronze medals were secured by Tamerlan Yagubov (54 kg), Allahverdi Mammadov and Zeynal Aliyev (both 87 kg), Salima Guliyeva (46 kg), Nilufar Borji (53 kg), and Nargiz Kazimova (62 kg).

Under the expert guidance of head coach Elnur Amanov, Azerbaijani taekwondo athletes sent a clear message that the traditional dominance of Russian competitors can be effectively challenged. The sambo team also performed admirably, albeit with somewhat less success, collecting six medals in total — two gold, three silver, and one bronze. Champions Abdullatif Musayev (53 kg) and Nihad Rahimov (64 kg) led the charge, while Rustam Gasimzada (58 kg), Abubakir Huseynov (98 kg), and Rasul Samadli (+98 kg) finished as silver medalists. Sadig Nadirov (79 kg) added a bronze to the tally.

As the competition unfolds, Russia maintains its lead on the medal table with 34 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze medals. Azerbaijan sits comfortably in second place with 5 gold, 17 silver, and 16 bronze, closely ahead of Belarus, which has claimed 4 gold, 13 silver, and 15 bronze medals.

Today’s agenda sees Azerbaijani taekwondo athletes returning to the Mingachevir Dayang arena, with high expectations for further gold medal victories. Additionally, swimming has already yielded some surprising successes for Azerbaijan, and hopes are rising for the country to capture its first gold in the pool, echoing the adage that “appetite comes with eating.”

The shooting contingent also draws attention, with anticipation mounting for gold medals in trap shooting events.

Beyond Azerbaijan, athletes from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have also secured medals. Meanwhile, competitors from Pakistan, Türkiye, Oman, Cuba, Turkmenistan, and Kuwait have yet to reach the podium — though hopes remain high for breakthroughs in the remaining days of the Games.

The 3rd CIS Games, which bring together 1,624 athletes from 13 countries, will run until October 8.

Vugar Vugarli, specially for Caliber.Az