BEST SPORTSMEN OF YEAR ANNOUNCED
The names of Azerbaijan`s best sportsmen for 2008 have been announced in Gulustan Palace on Wednesday.
Beijing Olympic judo champion Elnur Mammadli has won the major title - the best male athlete of the year.
Olympic silver medalists Greco-Roman wrestlers Rovshan Bayramov and Vitaly Rahimov, Olympic bronze winners Maria Stadnik (wrestling), Khetag Gazyumov (free-style wrestler), Shahin Imranov (boxing), Movlud Miraliyev (judo), 2-fold Paralympic judo champion Ilham Zakiyev, Beijing Paralympic gold medalist Olukhan Musayev (shot put) and world karate champion Rafael Agayev were also honored.
Speakers at the event, including Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov, Deputy Minister Ismayil Ismayilov, vice-president of National Olympic Committee Chingiz Huseynzade wished Azerbaijani sportsmen further successes.
Judo national team`s trainer Agayar Akundzade was named the coach of the Year. The National Gymnastics team is Team of the Year.
In other nominations: Hicran Sharifov won the best referee award, Neftchi Sports and Health Center won the best sport society, Gunduz Abbaszade (ANS) won the best sports journalist.
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