The 16th European WSF Shotokan Karate Championship was held in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, from October 31 to November 1.

Axar.az reports, citing the Karate Federation, that Azerbaijan’s national teams in deaflympic and para-karate, as well as other Azerbaijani athletes, performed successfully at the competition.

Representing Azerbaijan, the athletes competed in various age and weight categories and achieved strong results.

In para-karate, Aysel Ahmadli won the gold medal, finishing ahead of all her opponents.

In the deaflympic competitions, Hikmat Agayev, Elmin Huseynli in the 75 kg category, and Aytan Gadirova in kata won gold medals.

Among athletes aged 16–17, Yusif Azimzade won silver in the 61 kg category. In the senior division, Nizamaddin Azimzade (60 kg) and Alakbar Alizade (75 kg) also claimed silver medals.

Elnur Gasimzade and Fagan Yasimov won bronze medals in the 67 kg category.

Azerbaijani athletes also achieved strong results in individual Shotokan karate events. In the senior division, Elchin Shiriyev won gold in the Shobu Nihon category for athletes weighing over 75 kg. Ramin Mazanov won silver in the same weight category, while Nihad Mammadazade took silver in kata.

Among juniors, Abulfaz Rafiyev won gold in the 68 kg category for athletes aged 16–17.

Azerbaijani athletes also excelled in the team events. The men’s national team defeated their Turkish opponents in the final to claim the gold medal.

The athletes, who participated in the championship and tournament under the guidance of Renad Aliyev, head of the Azerbaijan Karate Federation’s Shotokan karate division, represented the country at the international competition.