Azerbaijan’s athletes continue to deliver outstanding performances across multiple disciplines at the ongoing III CIS Games, maintaining the country’s strong second place in the overall medal standings.
Rowing and Canoeing: Early Success on the Water
Azerbaijan’s rowing team opened the competition with a podium finish. Amil Ramazanov earned bronze in the men’s single kayak (500m) among athletes born in 2007–2008, while the duo Ivan Vorobyansky and Huseyn Hasanov added another bronze in the 200m doubles kayak event.
The rowing events will conclude on October 6, but Azerbaijani athletes have already made their mark with a steady series of top-three finishes.
Badminton: Seven-Medal Haul
In Gabala, Azerbaijani badminton players secured seven medals in total — one silver and six bronze.
Leyla Jamalzade reached the final but fell to Russia’s Marina Tarasova, taking silver in the women’s singles. Earlier, six team members had claimed bronze in various categories, confirming the country’s rising strength in racket sports.
Basketball 3×3: Dominant Play in Ganja
Azerbaijan’s women’s 3×3 basketball team crushed Kazakhstan 20–5, rebounding from an earlier narrow loss to Uzbekistan (13–16).
Both the men’s and women’s U-17 squads advanced to the semifinals – the men after victories over Tajikistan (21–13) and Kyrgyzstan (18–6), and the women after edging Russia (19–18) and Belarus (18–17). The semifinals will take place tomorrow, with Azerbaijan’s women set for a rematch against Uzbekistan.
Archery in Khankendi: Tight Contests and New Champions
Archery competitions wrapped up in Khankendi, where Azerbaijan’s women’s team narrowly missed bronze, losing to Belarus in the final round.
Among mixed and individual events, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Belarus dominated the podiums. The medal ceremony was attended by Telman Karimli, executive director of the city’s Reconstruction and Development Service, who presented awards and congratulated the winners.
Fencing: Two Bronzes in Ganja
Azerbaijani fencers Valentina Zeynalova and Zarifa Huseynova both reached the semifinals in women’s sabre, ultimately claiming bronze medals after strong bouts against Russian opponents.
Boxing: Azerbaijan’s Biggest Medal Sweep
In Evlaq, Azerbaijani boxers achieved a major triumph with 24 medals – including 5 gold, 1 silver, and 18 bronze.
Gold medalists include Gardash Rahimov (46kg), Ali Aliyev (48kg), Ali Abbasli (52kg), Shahin Aslanov (60kg), and Safdar Mammadzade (+80kg).
Women’s boxing added 1 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze, making boxing Azerbaijan’s single most successful discipline of the Games.
Judo: Gold in the Mixed Team Event
Azerbaijan’s mixed judo team captured gold, defeating Uzbekistan 7–4 in the final after overcoming Tajikistan 7–3 in the semifinals. The result highlights Azerbaijan’s continued dominance in regional judo competitions.
Medal Table: Azerbaijan Firmly in Second
As of October 5, Azerbaijan holds second place in the overall standings with 29 gold, 46 silver, and 86 bronze medals.
Russia leads the table with 105 gold, while Belarus follows in third with 27 gold.
Athletes from 10 countries have earned medals so far.
The III CIS Games will conclude on October 8, with several finals – including team basketball and rowing – still ahead.
