‘If these athletes can do it, you want to do it too’: Meet Azerbaijan’s Para-Taekwondo Champion

By&nbspEuronews

Published on
05/06/2025 – 15:00 GMT+2

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Azerbaijani Para-Taekwondo athlete Imameddin Khalilov brought home the Gold medal at the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in the -70 kg category, becoming the pride of his nation. 

In this episode of Azerbaijan Diary, he describes how he got started in Para-Taekwondo, and what he thinks of the changing perception of disabled sports and athletes.  

“For the first time, the Paralympic Games were broadcast live,” he says. “People have begun to understand what children with physical disabilities actually go through.” 

Khalilov says his victory at the 2024 Paralympics has motivated him to help and inspire younger generations of athletes.