National wrestlers win gold medals at Day 1 of Golden Grand Prix [PHOTO]
![National wrestlers win gold medals at Day 1 of Golden Grand Prix [PHOTO]](https://www.azernews.az/media/2016/11/25/golden_grand_prix_wrestling_43.jpg)
By Laman Ismayilova
The final stage of Golden Grand Prix International Wrestling Tournament commemorating Azerbaijan's national leader solemnly opened in Baku on November 24.
The tournament brings together nearly 700 wrestlers from more than 50 countries, Azertac reported.
Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Ismayil Ismayilov, addressing the event, hailed the government's attention to sports.
Vice-President of United World Wrestling Akhroldjan Ruziev thanked the Azerbaijani Government for the excellent organization of the tournament.
First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation, member of the executive committee of United World Wrestling Namig Aliyev, in turn, wished athletes success.
Azerbaijani freestyle wrestlers have grabbed a clutch of seven medals, including three gold on the first day of the Golden Grand Prix international tournament.
The gold medals came from Giorgi Edisherashvili, Ahmadnabi Gvarzatilov and Jabrayil Hasanov in the 57kg, 61kg and 74kg weight categories respectively.
Other national wrestlers Gitinomagomed Hajiyev (70kg) claimed the silver, while Joshgun Azimov (65kg), Murad Suleymanov (74kg) and Aslanbek Alborov (97kg) scooped the bronze medals of the tournament.
Wrestling remains the most popular sport in the county and is overseen by the National Wrestling Federation, which was established in 1993.
The Rio Games opened a new page in wrestling for Azerbaijan. The country became one of only two nations ever to increase the number of medals achieved in five consecutive Games.
Azerbaijan left Rio de Janeiro with a total of 18 medals, signifying the nation's most successful Olympic outcome in its independent history. Nine of these medals were distributed to the Azerbaijani team in wrestling, three in taekwondo for the first time, and two each in boxing, sprint canoeing, and judo.
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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova
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