Biography

A three-time world champion, Haji ALIYEV (AZE) is one of the most decorated wrestlers from Azerbaijan. He won the bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Games at 57kg. In Tokyo, he will wrestle at 65kg. After losing to Gazdhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) in the first round at 2019 Worlds, he lost to Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) in the repechage and could not qualify for the Olympics. But he finished in the top two at the European Qualifiers and won the ticket to his second Olympics. Born in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan won the World title in 2014, 2015 and 2017. At the Rio Games, he lost to Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO) in the quarterfinals but defeated Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) in the repechage before pinning Vladimir DUBOV (BUL) to win the bronze medal. He was also Azerbaijan's flag bearer at the closing ceremony in Rio.