Azerbaijan's first gold medal winner at the European Games has said that he is "sad" that he will not be able to compete in the Olympics in Rio next year.
Firdovsi Farzaliyev secured the host nation's first gold in Baku with victory in the -60kg kumite karate competition at the weekend.
With his sport having failed to win enough votes to be included in the Rio Games, the 21-year-old told reporters: "We want to see karate in the Olympics. I'm sad, and want to win an Olympic medal, to be the champion. Every athlete has this dream. It's not a tragedy, and I'm happy to win the European Games. It's almost at the same level. I value it.
"If we talk about its value as an event, personally for me this makes it very important. Having karate in the presence of world-level athletes here is certainly important.
"The event level means there is care given to its management and organisation, and we have the president's attention too. It all makes me excited. Just talking about it, I'm so excited it is difficult for me to deliver to you what I have in my brain."
Azerbaijan currently sit second in the medal table with seven golds, two silvers and seven bronzes.
Sian Cowper
