Representatives of the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation (ATUC) and the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Sports Organizations Association were also among those welcoming members of the national karate team at Heydar Aliyev International Airport.
Madina Sadiqova expressed her gratitude on behalf of athletes to the Azerbaijani state and the country’s leadership for the attention and support given to sports development in the country. She also thanked everyone who supported her during the preparation process for the competition:
“I also work as a coach-teacher at the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Sports Organizations Association. I had prepared very seriously for the competition. After my success at the Islamic Games, my next goal was to become the European champion. I achieved my goal. I would like to thank my coaches, teammates, the Azerbaijan Karate Federation, and the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation for supporting me. Being welcomed in my homeland with such enthusiasm is a great honor for me.”
The athlete, who became the first Azerbaijani woman to win a gold medal in the women’s 55 kg karate category at the European Championship, said that the final match was difficult:
“I knew my opponent well, and we knew each other very well. Although I was behind in the score at the beginning of the match, I managed to win 9:6 in the end and claim the title of European champion.”
Coach Seymur Khudaverdiyev stated that he believes the young athlete’s success will continue:
“Madina is a very disciplined athlete. We all believed that she would become the European champion, and she fulfilled our expectations. We also believe she will achieve success at the World Championship.”
It should be noted that Madina Sadiqova is the first Azerbaijani female karate athlete to win the European champion title in the 55 kg category among seniors.
