Azerbaijani Paralympic team returns home with gold, silver medals

Azerbaijani para-taekwondo athlete Imameddin Khalilov has secured a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games, dedicating his victory to the families of the martyrs.

Upon his return to Baku, Khalilov expressed his gratitude and joy at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, highlighting the immense support he received from the Azerbaijani people during the competition, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Competing in the 70kg K44 category, Khalilov clinched the gold after a decisive victory against Türkiye's Fatih Çelik in the final. Khalilov shared that his confidence and determination in the final match were fueled by the unwavering support from his family and the Azerbaijani community, who cheered him on through social media.

In addition to Khalilov's triumph, Azerbaijan's Greco-Roman wrestler Joju Samedov won a silver medal at the U-20 World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain. Despite a strong performance, Samedov was defeated 0:8 by Kyrgyzstan’s Asan Janishov in the final.

The Azerbaijani para-taekwondo team performed admirably in Paris, with three athletes winning a total of two medals—Khalilov's gold and Sabir Zeynalov's bronze. The team placed second overall in the standings, just behind Türkiye, while Great Britain took third place.

The Azerbaijani delegation at the Paris 2024 Games, consisting of 18 athletes competing in seven sports, has so far earned three gold, one silver, and one bronze medal, marking a significant achievement for the nation on the global stage.