History of Wrestling in Azerbaijan

Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling that are popular in our country have rich history and unique traditions.

Freestyle wrestling that represents most of the elements, techniques and fighting methods of our national wrestling, and has come a long way of development has been accepted as American wrestling in the world, which means that the present day wrestling originated in the United States of America.

However, the ‘national wrestling’ in our people’s memory has a more ancient history. The elements of this national wrestling can be encountered on the Qobustan rocks, in folk and classical literature, and sagas.

One of the facts supporting the ancientry of wrestling is that people try their skills in this sport during wedding and holiday gaieties. Wrestling competitions in Azerbaijan were conducted in special places called Zorkhanas (houses of strength).

In the early twentieth century our wrestlers Sali Suleyman, Rashid and Jumshud Junusov brothers were worldwide renowned.

While, on the one hand, the development of the national wrestling and its becoming a favourite amusement of young people is related to our national heritage and traditions, on the other hand it is associated with the school of professionals which emerged later.

Huseynqulu Mursalqulu oglu who lived in 1789-1871, his follower Mashadi Abdul Ali oglu Akhundov, Shomu Abdulla, Mirza Hashim oglu Mammadhuseyn, Sar Panci and others were already famous as national wrestling masters.

Wrestling has evolved in Azerbaijan after the Second World War. Honoured Master of Sports Rza Ibrahim oglu Bakhshaliyev, who is one of the initiators of ‘Kusturud’ sports club and one of the participants of the exercises held there, is considered to be one of the founders of wrestling in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Rza Bakhshaliyev was an Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR, Azerbaijan’s Honoured Worker of Physical Fitness and Sports, Honoured Coach, graduate of the Oriental Department of the Azerbaijan State University and Institute of Physical Fitness, and a 20-times champion of Azerbaijan.

Musa Babayev and Ibrahimpasha Dadashov who have repeatedly been the USSR champions, Mukhtar Dadashov who has repeatedly been a prize winner of the USSR championships and winner of the World Student Games, and Rashid Mammadbayov who for the first time gained a silver medal at the Helsinki Olympic Games in 1952 can be named as disciples of Rza Bakhshaliyev’s school. Followers of this school, such as Islam Humbatov, Alkiviad Pavlidi, Isak Cafarov, Sabir Huseynov, Camal Yaqubov, Ehsan Karimov, Oktyar Mammadbayov, Aydin Ibrahimov who later became a World Champion and prize winner of the Olympic Games, winner and prize winner of the USSR and Azerbaijan championships Rahim Ismayilov, Nadir Mammadov, Kamal Camilov, Eldar Marqunov, brothers Ramiz and Fazil Hasanov, brothers Kamal and Sari Samadov, Nacaf Choliyev, Goyush Mammadov, brothers Arif and Kamal Hasanov, brothers Nuhbaba and Hacibaba Shikhiyev, Khankishi Huseynov, Emin Ramazanov, Cabir Hasanov, Firudin Hasanov, Soltan Karimov, Ali Mammadov, Ramazan Samadov, Mustafa Orucov, World Cup holder and European Champion Rafiq Haciyev, Yaqub Mammadov, Oqtay Huseynov, Seykhan Ocaqov, Nadir Rahimov, brothers Manashir and Livi Mishiyev, brothers Tahir and Mammad Ibrahimov, brothers Cavanshir, Khanlar and Agayusif Qurbanov, Khosrov Cafarov, Chingiz Quliyev, Nagi Quliyev, Firudin Agasiyev, Ramiz Tagiyev, Hasrat Mammadyarov, Aladdin Haciyev, Sevindik Safarov, Mukhtar Novruzov, Rahim Novruzov, Ilham Abbasov, World and European Champion Khazar Isayev, brothers Telman and Aladdin Pashayev, Aslan Agayev, Nadir Hamidov, Azar Isayev. Elshad Allahverdiyev, Firdovsi Umudov, Nazim Alicanov, Elman Asgarov, Abil Ibrahimov, Namiq Sevdimov, brothers, Olympic champion Namiq Abdullayev and World Champion Arif Abdullayev, Vuqar Qurbanov, Vusal Akhundovun, Saday Ismayilov, Rustam Agayev, Hamid Rasulov and others had great achievements and services in the development of both freestyle and national wrestling in our country.

Greco-Roman wrestling, that was called French wrestling and evolved in the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, originates from Greece. In ancient Hellas, a bonfire made on Mount Olympus was a signal that ceased the wars and invited knights to competitions to demonstrate their strengths on the athletic fields. Grasping by the back and felling each other during these competitions were original basics of Greco-Roman wrestling. This sport previously known as ‘classic’ in our country has evolved after the Second World War. The first title of a World Champion was gained by Arif Niftullayev at the World Championship held in Mexico in 1978.

Mahaddin Allahverdiyev three times held the World Champion title in 1980-1990.

Elchin Cafarov, Agakishi Isgandarov, Ahad Quliyev, Fikrat Tahirov, Fikrat Ahmadov, Kamal Rzayev, Aliqulu Hasanoglu, Qahraman Cabrayilov, Ismayil Abdulqadirov, Huseynaga Alasgarov, Firudin Qurbanov, Viktor Abdiyev, Kamandar Macidov, Ahad Aliyev, Ali Aliyev, Ilham Umayev, Natiq Eyvazov, Ceyhun Zahidov, Vilayaddin Haciyev, Rashid Aliyev, Qarib Aliyev, Allahverdi Bagirov, Farhad Pashayev, Zakir Mammadov, Alyar Aliyev, Agalar Aslanov, Heydar Aliyev, Azda Aliyev, Vuqar Aslanov, Vitali Rahimov, Tahir Zahidov, Rovshan Bayramov, Elbrus Mammadov, Emil Bashirov, Arif Mehdiyev, Nuraddin Racabov, Vilayat Agayev, Seymur Qasimov, Tofiq Eyvazov, Shakarkhan Alismanov, Hicran Sharifov, Azad Asgarov, Ilqar Abdulov, Fuad Aliyev, Zohrab Aliyev, Olympic Champion Farid Mansurov and others had great achievements and services in the development of Greco-Roman wrestling in the Republic of Azerbaijan.