Anna 
In a historic achievement for Azerbaijani badminton, two young athletes, Ulvi Huseynov and Hajar Nuriyeva, have entered the prestigious top 100 rankings. Their rise in the global standings highlights the growing success and potential of Azerbaijani talent in the sport.
Ulvi Huseynov, renowned for his consistent success in international tournaments, has ascended to 63rd place in the Badminton World Federation’s ranking. His remarkable progress has been fueled by victories at competitions in Iran and Turkey, bringing his total to 4,050 ranking points. Huseynov, who has been training at the Badminton Academy in Malaysia since 2023, regularly participates in joint training camps alongside members of Malaysia’s national teams across various age groups.
Meanwhile, Hajar Nuriyeva, after a series of impressive performances in international tournaments held in Tajikistan, Spain, Turkey, Zambia, and Botswana, has climbed 21 spots to settle in 47th place. Nuriyeva’s victory at an international competition in Iran, where she won gold in the doubles category alongside Leyla Jamalzade, boosted her score to 5,800 points.
The achievements of both athletes are part of a broader strategy by the Azerbaijan Badminton Federation, which aims to see Azerbaijani players ranked among the world’s best by 2025-2028. The federation’s proactive involvement within the global and European badminton communities continues to gain recognition.
In 2023, Baku became the host city for the first-ever Congress of the Badminton Europe Confederation, a major event that addressed key issues surrounding badminton competitions in preparation for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. The congress was themed “Inclusive Badminton,” celebrating the sport’s accessibility to all.
Azerbaijan will also host the 2025 European Mixed Team Badminton Championships in its capital, Baku, from February 12-16. This tournament doubles as the European qualification event for the 2025 Sudirman Cup, further cementing Azerbaijan’s growing prominence in the international badminton scene.
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