Azernews.Az

By Seymur Aliyev, Azernews Staff Writer

After earning two more medals on Sunday, Azerbaijan ascended to the 41st place in the Olympics rankings among the 204 participating states, leaving behind countries such as Greece, Argentina, Norway and Belgium. Now, Azerbaijan's coin box has one silver and two bronze medals.

China is still atop the list, with 30 gold, 17 silver and 14 bronze medals. It is followed by USA, with 28 gold, 14 silver and 18 bronze medals. Britain closes the top three, with 16 gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze awards.

Azerbaijani national team went to London with 53 athletes, which is already a great achievement for such a little country. Azerbaijan is still vying for gold medals but the accomplishments of our sportsmen gained so far make us proud.

Let's start with Greco-Roman wrestlers. Heavy artillery sent to the Games shot and hit silver and bronze targets in one day. Rovshan Bayramov, who earned another silver medal during the previous Olympic Games, held in Beijing in 2008, brought to Azerbaijan argent happiness. In the 55-kg weight bracket Bayramov competed with Russian athlete Mingiyan Semenov. Bayramov won both rounds of the fight and thus reached the next stage of the tournament. The Azerbaijani wrestler's opponent in the next stage, the 1/8 finals, was U.S. athlete Spenser Thomas Mango. In the first round Bayramov scored 4 points. He finished the second round with the 4:0 score as well. Thus, the Azerbaijani wrestler proceeded to 1/4 finals at the Olympics.

In the quarterfinals Bayramov faced China's Li Shujin. The Azerbaijani wrestler won both rounds of the fight and reached the semifinals. In the semi-finals Bayramov vied with South Korean wrestler Choi Gyu-Jin. Defeating his opponent, he reached the finals but lost to his Iranian rival, Hamid Mohammad Soryan Reihanpour. He was just one step away from gold. But anyway, he strongly raised Azerbaijan in the Olympics rating list. And his fellow athlete, Emin Ahmedov, added a bronze medal to the coin box of Azerbaijan.

18-year-old Valentin Hristov is another hero. Despite his young age and lack of experience, he managed to earn a bronze medal, achieving a good result for himself and the country. We can confidently say that Hristov will be able to win even greater awards at the next Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Alexander Alexandrov competed in academic rowing. This sport is not as well developed in Azerbaijan as wrestling. But nevertheless having successfully performed in all the stages, he burst like lightning to the world's sporting elite. 5th place among the experienced rivals is an excellent result. So, another ray of hope for new awards in the next Olympic Games was lit in our hearts.

But the hope for gold doesn't die down. Azerbaijani boxer Teymur Mammadov has qualified for the semifinals in the 91 kg weight bracket. After the victory over Belarusian fighter Siarhei Karneyeu, Mammadov secured for himself a bronze medal. He will face Italian Clemento Russo in a semifinal on Friday, August 10.

Another striking force of Azerbaijan, heavyweight boxer Magomedrasul Majidov (91 kg) proceeded to the semi-finals of the Olympic Games in London. His opponent in the quarterfinal was a boxer from Russia, Magomed Omarov. The first round did not reveal the strongest, ending 4:4. In the second round, the Russian athlete was stronger - 6:7. In the third round, Majidov surpassed the rival with a score of 7:3 and reached the semi-finals. Thus, Majidov has secured at least a bronze medal.

The next fight is due on Friday with Italian boxer Roberto Cammarelle, a two-time world champion and winner of the Beijing Olympics.

In addition, Azerbaijani Greco-Roman wrestlers, taekwondo fighters and freestyle wrestlers will continue fighting for gold, and Azerbaijan pins great hopes on them.

We believe that they can do it and Azerbaijani flag will be hoisted and Azerbaijan's anthem will be heard in every corner of the arena, delighting the ears of fans who with bated breath were expecting the long-awaited victory.