Formation and Development of Karate in Azerbaijan

The article discusses the development of karate in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The formation of karate in the territory of Azerbaijan coincides with the period when it was part of the former Soviet Union. Karate was established in the Soviet Union in 1978. Mirali Seyidov (Dinamo), Azad Kazimov (Burovestnik), Hamdiya Mammadov (Zenit), Khagani Mammadov (Spartak), B. Kharitonov (Vodnik), Suleyman Mammadov (Mahsul), and Talib Berziyarov (Tehsil) made exceptional contributions to the promotion and increasing popularity of karate in Azerbaijan. Currently, karate sections operate successfully in 50 out of 70 regions of Azerbaijan under the regional departments of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, including Olympic Sports Complexes. The Azerbaijan Karate Championship has been held since 2000, and more than 120 athletes have won the title of national champion. In 1994, our representative Rahman Hatamov brought the country its first gold medal at the World Championship (WSKF). In 1995, our team took 2nd place at the World Championship in Mexico (R. Hatamov, U. Guliyev, A. Hatamov, F. Musayev, and R. Bashirov), and F. Musayev took 1st place in individual kumite. In 1997, Rahman Hatamov won two gold medals at the WSKF European Championship held in Japan.