Ilham Zakiyev

Ilham Azizaga oglu Zakiyev is an Azerbaijani blind judoka. He began studying judo when he was 11 years of age. In 1998, when he was 18, he went to serve in Azerbaijani army in the Aşağı Əbdürrəhmanlı village of Fizuli Rayon. He served on the frontline of the conflict zone. On 4 February 1999, he was wounded by a bullet to the head by an Armenian sniper, while on a combat mission. The bullet passed through the entire head, entering from the left and exiting via the right temple. As a result, Zakiyev has completely lost his eyesight. After a long rehabilitation he returned to the sport but as a paralympian. He is the holder of a 6-dan black belt.