Rafael Aghayev
The Panther of the East, five times world champion
- Born
- March 4, 1985, Sumgait, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union
- Nationality
Azerbaijan- Height
- 167 cm (5′6″)
- Style
- Unpredictable all-round kumite
- Weight
- 65 kg, 70 kg, 75 kg, Open
- Active
- 2004–present
- Status
- Active · age 41
The medals
Olympic silver (2020); 5 world titles, 7 world medals
The story
afael Aghayev started karate at seven in Sumgait and became the fighter the World Karate Federation has called the most successful karateka of all time. He won world titles in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2016, taking both the 70 kg and open categories in Tokyo in 2008, and his fifth crown in Linz was a record for the sport. He added 11 European titles plus World Games and European Games gold. Nicknamed the Panther of the East, he was strong, agile and hard to predict, and his ura-mawashi kick out of the clinch was a combination few others used. At karate's Olympic debut in Tokyo he reached the 75 kg final and lost 1-0 to his old rival Luigi Busà. In full-contact Karate Combat he is unbeaten at 5-0 and unified the welterweight title in 2023.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- World champion, kumite −70 kg (2006, 2008), −75 kg (2010, 2016) and open (2008)
- Olympic silver, kumite −75 kg (2020)
- European champion (11 titles, 2004–2018)
- World Games champion (2013); European Games champion (2015)
- Karate Combat welterweight champion (5-0, title unified in 2023)
- Order of Glory, Azerbaijan (2008)
Defining matches
- 2010WINvs Luigi Busà (World Championships −75 kg final, Belgrade)
- 2012LOSSvs Luigi Busà (World Championships −75 kg final, Paris)
- 2016WINvs Omar Abdel Rahman (World Championships −75 kg final, Linz; record fifth world title)
- 2021LOSSvs Luigi Busà (Tokyo Olympic −75 kg final, 0-1)
- 2023WINvs Josh Quayhagen (Karate Combat 40, unanimous decision; unified the welterweight title)
Don't treat the clinch as dead time: as the grips break and the opponent turns to reset, whip an ura-mawashi (hook kick) around the back of the head with the heel. Drill it from a tie-up on the pads until the kick starts before you step back.
