Azerbaijan concluded the 2025 Summer World University Games in the Rhine-Ruhr region of Germany with four medals, two gold and two silver, finishing 24th in the overall standings, ahead of countries such as Canada, Finland, Portugal, Georgia, Belgium, Sweden, Kazakhstan, and others.
The main source of success was the rhythmic gymnastics group team. Laman Alimuradova, Gullu Aghalarzade, Darya Sorokina, Kamila Aliyeva, and Yelyzaveta Luzan confirmed their status as world leaders, Idman.biz reports.
The Azerbaijani gymnasts won the all-around final, added gold in the five-ribbon routine, and took silver in the “three balls + two hoops” composition.
As the primary medal contributors for Azerbaijan at the 2025 Universiade, the gymnasts demonstrated their leadership and made a strong statement for the new Olympic cycle. Moreover, the group reminded everyone that rhythmic gymnastics remains one of the hallmarks of Azerbaijani sport.
Judoka Eljan Hajiyev (90 kg) added to the medal tally with a silver. For the 23-year-old athlete, this marked his second consecutive Universiade medal: in 2023, he won bronze in Chengdu, and now he improved his result by stepping up to the next level.
In Germany, the medals came from athletes who were expected to deliver, although the total could have been higher. The vast majority of Azerbaijani participants at the 2025 Universiade were not yet leaders in their respective sports and lacked significant experience in major international competitions.
For example, the Azerbaijani judo team was mostly composed of athletes with limited experience at the highest level. Eljan Hajiyev is an exception, despite his young age, he has already competed at the Olympic Games, won the European Championship, and earned a bronze medal at the World Championships.
Furthermore, comparing the results in Germany with those from the 2023 Universiade reveals noticeable progress. Back then, Azerbaijani student-athletes won nine medals (0 gold, 3 silver, 6 bronze) and placed only 38th in the standings.
Now, with four medals, including two golds, Azerbaijan climbed 14 spots. As is well known, gold medals are decisive in medal standings, ten or even a hundred silver medals will never outweigh a single gold. Therefore, the golds earned by the Azerbaijani gymnasts must not be underestimated.
However, as mentioned earlier, there could have been more medals, and the 2025 Universiade once again highlighted the importance of developing university sports in the country. Azerbaijani universities must place greater emphasis on nurturing student-athletes, as competitions like this play a crucial role in their athletic careers. With the new Olympic cycle underway and the battle for 2028 Los Angeles Olympic licenses heating up, university sports may play a key role in shaping the future leaders of national teams.
Teymur Tushiyev
Idman.biz
