Ilham Zakiyev

Ilham Azizaga oglu Zakiyev (Azerbaijani: İlham Zəkiyev, born 3 March 1980, Sumgayit) is an Azerbaijani blind judoka. He began studying judo when he was 11 years of age. In 1998, when he was 18, he went to serve in Azerbaijani army in the Aşağı Əbdürrəhmanlı village of Fizuli Rayon. He served on the frontline of the conflict zone. On 4 February 1999, he was wounded by a bullet to the head by an Armenian sniper, while on a combat mission. The bullet passed through the entire head, entering from the left and exiting via the right temple. As a result, Zakiyev has completely lost his eyesight. After a long rehabilitation he returned to the sport but as a paralympian. He is the holder of a 7-dan black belt.[1]

Ilham Zakiyev

Zakiyev at 2008 Beijing Paralympics
Personal information
Native name	İlham Əzizağa oğlu Zəkiyev
Full name	Ilham Azizaga oglu Zakiyev
Born	(1980-03-03) 3 March 1980 Sumgayit
Education	School N5 in Sumgayit
Sport
Country	Azerbaijan
Sport	Paralympic judo
Disability	Blind
Disability class	B1
Coached by	Ibragim Ibragimov
Medal record Men's Judo Representing  Azerbaijan Paralympic Games 2004 Athens +100 kg 2008 Beijing +100 kg 2012 London +100 kg 2020 Tokyo +100 kg World Championships 2007 São Paulo +100 kg 2010 Antalya +100 kg 2011 Antalya +100 kg 2003 Quebec +100 kg 2006 Brommat +100 kg European Games 2015 Baku +90 kg European Championships 2005 Vlaardingen +100 kg 2007 Baku +100 kg 2009 Debrecen +100 kg 2011 Crawley +100 kg 2013 Budapest +100 kg 2015 Odivelas +100 kg 2017 Walsall +100 kg 2019 Genova +100 kg Islamic Solidarity Games 2017 Baku +100 kg
Updated on 31 March 2015.

He won a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Paralympics[2] and the 2008 Beijing Paralympics in the +100 kg division.[3] Zakiyev has been European champion seven times, and has twice been the World champion.[4]