The 61-kilogram freestyle wrestling division saw Haji Aliyev secure a gold medal at the 2014 European Wrestling Championships held in Vantaa, Finland. Born in 1991 in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan, Aliyev has since established a professional career as an amateur wrestler, representing his home nation on the global stage through numerous international competitions and multi-sport games.
Early Career and Youth Development
Aliyev began his competitive wrestling career in youth categories, demonstrating early success at the European Championship among juniors held in Daugavpils, Latvia. As a 17-year-old competing in the 54 kg class, he earned a silver medal after a final bout against Georgian wrestler Vladimir Khincheashvili. In 2008, he participated in a presidential tournament in Istanbul, Turkey, though he did not finish in the medal rankings. By 2009, he achieved a first-place finish at the Azerbaijani Youth Championship after defeating Aghahuseyn Muradov in the 60 kg division, followed by a fifth-place result in an international tournament in Riga, Latvia.
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The wrestler transitioned successfully into adult competition. In 2014, he claimed gold at the World Wrestling Championships in Tashkent, adding to his earlier European title. He maintained this momentum by securing consecutive gold medals at world championships held in Las Vegas in 2015 and Paris in 2017. During the 2015 European Games hosted by Azerbaijan, he competed in the 61 kg freestyle category and earned a bronze medal. By 2020, he expanded his performance record at the Individual Wrestling World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia, where he secured a bronze medal in the 65 kg event.
Olympic Participation and Military Service
Aliyev competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 57 kg division, winning a bronze medal after defeating Bulgarian opponent Vladimir Dubov. During the closing ceremonies of those games, he served as the flag bearer for Azerbaijan. He returned to Olympic competition for the 2020 Summer Olympics, where he defeated Daulet Niyazbekov to advance to the semi-finals. In 2024, he competed at the European Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament in Baku, earning a quota place for the Paris Summer Olympics. Outside of the mat, he holds the military rank of Major and has been recognized with several state decorations, including the Taraggi Medal, the Humay Award, and the 2nd degree For Service to the Fatherland order.
Fast facts
- Born: 1991, Nakhchivan
- Sport: Freestyle wrestling
- Military Rank: Major
- 2014 World Championship Gold: Tashkent
- 2016 Olympic Medal: Bronze
- Personal Coach: Elman Azimzadeh
Questions readers ask
What is Haji Aliyev's primary wrestling discipline?
He is an amateur wrestler specializing in men's freestyle wrestling.
How many world championship gold medals has he won?
He has won three world championship gold medals, in 2014, 2015, and 2017.
Achievements
- Taraggi Medal
- Medal "For services in the field of military cooperation"
- Azerbaijan Democratic Republic 100th anniversary medal
- Competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics
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