Three-time world champion Gadzhi Aliev celebrates his 35th birthday

Today marks the 35th birthday of Azerbaijan's only three-time world champion in freestyle wrestling, bronze medalist of the Olympic Games in Rio, and European champion Haji Aliyev.

Haji Aliyev was born on April 21, 1991, in Nakhchivan.

Since 1999, he began training in wrestling under the guidance of Elman Azimzade.

From 1997 to 2008, Haji Aliyev studied at secondary school No. 12 in the city of Nakhchivan, and from 2008 to 2012, he received his higher education at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Physical Culture and Sports.

Haji Aliyev competed in his first career tournament in May 2008, participating in the "Victory Cup" youth tournament in Antalya, Turkey. At that competition, he competed in the 54 kg weight class and won a bronze medal.

In 2009, he achieved further successes in domestic competitions. In October of that year, Haji Aliyev defeated all his opponents at the youth tournament dedicated to the memory of National Hero of Azerbaijan Aliyar Aliyev and became the champion of the competition. In December of that same year, Haji Aliyev achieved his first success among adults. He defeated all opponents at the Azerbaijan Cup and became the winner of the tournament.

After winning the Azerbaijan Cup in 2009, 18-year-old Haji Aliyev was invited to the national team of Azerbaijan. At the European Championship held in Baku, he competed in the 60 kg weight class and in his first Round of 16 bout faced German wrestler Tim Schleicher. Although he lost the first period (0:1), he won the second and third periods with scores of 3:0 and 3:1 respectively, and advanced to the next stage.

In 2016, Haji Aliyev participated in his most important tournament — the XXXI Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Competing in the 57 kg weight class, Haji Aliyev faced South Korean wrestler Yun Jun-Sik in his first bout. In this match, Aliyev won by technical superiority with a score of 12:2.

For the bronze medal won at the I European Games, on June 29, 2015, he was awarded the "Progress" medal. For the bronze medal won at the XXXI Summer Olympic Games, on September 1, 2016, he was awarded the Honorary Diploma of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

For outstanding achievements at the XXXII Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo and contributions to the development of Azerbaijani sports, President Ilham Aliyev awarded him the Order "For Service to the Motherland" 2nd class.

In 2014, Haji Aliyev started a family, and in August 2015, his daughter Aisha was born. Haji Aliyev dedicated his championship title at the 2015 World Championship in Las Vegas specifically to his daughter Aisha.

Haji Aliyev's first tournament in 2023 was the international Zagreb Open tournament, which took place in February in Zagreb, Croatia.

The leader of Azerbaijan's freestyle wrestling team won a gold medal at the European Championship. In the final in the 70 kg weight class, he defeated Bulgaria's Ramazan Ramazanov with a score of 10:3.

Thus, Haji Aliyev won the European Championship title for the fourth time in his career and made history in Azerbaijani wrestling. He is the first freestyle wrestler from Azerbaijan to become a 4-time European champion.

Throughout his career, Haji Aliyev has participated in 48 international competitions, winning 15 gold, 10 silver, and 14 bronze medals.

Haji Aliyev is also an officer of the State Border Service.