Young athlete makes history for Azerbaijani boxing at U-19 championship

Azerbaijani boxer Bilalhabashi Nazarov has made history by becoming the first athlete from Azerbaijan to win the title of European youth champion twice.

According to the Azerbaijan Boxing Federation, the 18-year-old national team member secured a gold medal at the European U-19 Championship held in Ostrava, Czech Republic. This follows his previous triumph at the same tournament last year in Poreč, Croatia. Both victories came under the guidance of the national team’s head coach, Elbrus Rzayev, and mark a major milestone for Azerbaijani boxing, Caliber.Az reports per local media. 

The championship in the Czech Republic also marked a breakthrough for Azerbaijani women’s boxing. For the first time in the country's history, the women’s team returned with medals. Banuchichek Nasirli (48 kg) claimed silver, while Ilkana Ahmadova (+80 kg) earned bronze under head coach Ilkin Aghayev.

In total, the Azerbaijani team brought home five medals—its best result at the European U-19 Championship in 16 years. Alongside Nazarov’s gold, Zidan Gumbatov (55 kg) and Subkhan Babaev (60 kg) both won bronze medals.

By Sabina Mammadli