Foundation and format
The Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation (AWF) initiated a structured approach to beach wrestling in 2019, laying the groundwork for a developmental pathway extending from the U17 age group to the senior level. Within three years, Azerbaijan’s U17 and U20 national teams were already claiming world and European titles, a testament to the rapid progress and maturity of the programme.

The AWF adopted the global beach wrestling format, featuring four men’s weight classes (70 kg, 80 kg, 90 kg, and +90 kg) and four women’s weight classes (50 kg, 60 kg, 70 kg, and +70 kg). Training transitioned to sand-based conditioning, prioritising balance, endurance, and the explosive scoring techniques unique to beach wrestling.

This structured approach has so far yielded 12 World Championship medals, six of which are gold and the first ever four championships in-a-row world champion in Ibrahim Yusubov.

Building a domestic base and opening the door for women
In July 2025, the AWF hosted the national beach wrestling championships in the capital city of Baku, welcoming more than 150 wrestlers from 26 teams. For the first time, women’s divisions were introduced, marking a significant milestone that expanded the sport’s domestic reach and established a pathway for female athletes to compete on the international stage.

This inclusion of women’s categories reflected the federation’s broader strategy: developing a sustainable pipeline of athletes across all divisions, rather than focusing exclusively on elite men’s results.

International milestones: 2019–2025
Azerbaijan’s rise to prominence on the international stage began in 2019, when Oyan Nazariani won the +90 kg title in the inaugural Beach Wrestling World Series season, becoming the “Big Gun” and his country’s first ever world champion in beach wrestling. This achievement paved the way for sustained success.

In 2022, Ibrahim Yusubov secured the 90 kg title at the Beach Wrestling World Series final in Constanţa, Romania, claiming Azerbaijan’s second senior world title. He was joined regularly on the podium by Ramiz Hasanov at 70 kg, who won an overall silver in 2022 and in 2024 finished runner-up in the 80 kg category. Their performances affirmed Azerbaijan’s status as a serious contender on the global scene.

By 2024, Yusubov had established himself as a dominant force, winning consecutive World Series crowns and earning recognition for his tactical prowess and composure. His achievements inspired the next generation, including Vusal Aliyev and Sahib Dadashov, who began to regularly compete for senior medals.

The 2025 season proved to be the most successful to date. At the World Series final in Alexandria, Egypt, Yusubov retained his 90 kg title, achieving his fourth consecutive world championship. Aliyev won gold in the 80 kg category during his debut senior season, resulting in one of the team’s strongest overall performances.

On the youth front, Ulviyya Musayeva made history by winning gold in the girls’ 55 kg division at the U17 Beach Wrestling World Championships in Katerini, Greece. She triumphed over competitors from Poland and Japan, becoming Azerbaijan’s first-ever women’s world champion in beach wrestling in a tournament whose results will be taken into consideration for quotas for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

From champion to coach: Oyan Nazariani’s leadership
Head coach Nazariani, the three-time +90 kg world championship medallist, has played a pivotal role in Azerbaijan’s rise. His career as an athlete shaped the federation’s focus on technical precision, physical intensity, and tactical intelligence under pressure.

Reflecting on the 2025 World Series season, the 31-year-old highlighted both the countries achievements in the sandy circles this year and their future ambitions: “Across the season, we regularly competed in two weight categories, 80 kg and 90 kg, and became world champions in both. Based on the points collected across the five stages, next year we plan to participate in all four men’s divisions with the ambition of competing for gold in all of them."

Earlier in the season, Nazariani described how domestic competition supports international performance: “After a two-year break, the Azerbaijan Championship was held again. For the first time, winners were determined among women in beach wrestling. Right after the championship, we called the wrestlers into the national team.”

The champion’s last word - And a transition begins
Following his fourth consecutive world title in 2025, Ibrahim Yusubov announced his retirement from competition, closing an illustrious chapter in the sport’s history.

The 34-year-old wrestler remarked: “This is my fourth world title. The tournament was held at a very high level. We were well prepared and gave our best in training to raise our flag high and hear our national anthem. Thankfully, we succeeded. Together with coach Oyan, we decided this would be my final competition. Considering my age, I felt it was time to end my career on a high note, with victory. If the federation deems it appropriate, I’m ready to continue contributing as a coach for the national team.”

Yusubov’s decision to retire while remaining open to coaching ensures that his expertise will continue to benefit future generations of Azerbaijani beach wrestlers.

Looking ahead
The AWF’s next objective is full participation in all four weight divisions in the men. Simultaneously, the federation continues to expand women’s and youth development through dedicated national programmes.

With Yusubov transitioning to a mentoring role, Nazariani leading the team he once represented, and Musayeva emerging as one of the best of the new generation coming through, Azerbaijan’s beach wrestling foundation is stronger than ever.