Rafael Aghayev: Karate, Family & Net Worth
Are you familiar with Karate? If you are, you must have heard about one of the best Karateka of this generation Rafael Aghayev.
Aghayev is also a five-time World Champion and an eleven-time European Champion.
Further, at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, this Karateka won a silver medal in the Kumite 75 kg division.
In his first-ever championship, Aghyev was praised for his potential and exceptional combat skills by the President of the National Karate Federation, Yashar Bashirov.
Indeed a unique Karateka Rafael Aghyev is one of a kind, and to know more, stay in tune.
Quick Facts
Here are some fascinating quick facts about Rafael Aghyev:
| Name | Rafael Aghayev |
| Other Names | Panther of the East Diamond of the Karate World Black Brilliant |
| Date of birth | 4th March of 1986 |
| Age | 38 years old |
| Place of Birth | Sumqyait, Azerbaijan |
| Nationality | Azerbaijan |
| Ethnicity | Not Known |
| Religion | Not Known |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Gender | Male |
| Father’s Name | Not Known |
| Mother’s Name | Not Known |
| Siblings | Two Older Brothers |
| Name of Siblings | Ruslan Aghayev Rustam Aghayev |
| Education | High School, Martial Arts |
| Height | 5 Feet 6 Inches |
| Weight | 78 Kg or 172 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Shoe Size | Not Known |
| Marital Status | Married in 2016 |
| Wife | Not Known |
| Children | Son: Ramal Aghayev |
| Occupation | Karateka |
| Career Debut | Open World Cup in Miskolc, Hungary, 1997 |
| Career Wins | 21 Gold Medals |
| Medals and Awards | 21 Gold Medals, 7 Silver Medals, 9 Bronze Medals |
| Teacher | Rahman Hatamov |
| Division | – 75 Kg |
| Style | Shotokan |
| Rank | Black Belt, 5th dan |
| Net Worth | $100 Thousand to $16 Million |
| Social Media | Instagram, YouTube |
| Merch | Karate Equipments |
| Last Updated | April, 2024 |
Rafael Aghayev: Family, Early Life, and Education
Aghayev was born on 4 March 1986 in Sumqyait, Azerbaijan.
Hence, making him a Pisces who are emotionally sensitive, graceful, and aware.
Family
Aghayev was born to a professional soccer player father and a loving mother.
Although their names are not known, they encouraged little Rafael to be the best Karateka there is.
Especially his father instilled a great sense of sportsmanship in both of his two brothers and him.
After that, his oldest brother Ruslan trained to become a judoka and was successful in it too.
His other second older brother Rustam became a well-known boxer.
Early Life
Following his brothers and father’s footsteps, Aghayev also began involving himself in football and practicing Karate from age 7.
In addition, his first coach, Rafael Mammadov, gave him his initial karate lessons and inspired him to be a Karateka.
Further, he trained for several years and participated in his first-ever competition.
He was invited to train at Budokan, one of the Republic’s most prestigious sports clubs, under Fizuli Musayev.
Education
Talking about Rafael Aghayev’s education, he graduated from Secondary School No.21 in 2003.
Then he enrolled in the Azerbaijan State Academy of Physical Culture and Sport’s martial arts college under the Martial Arts and Techniques department. Moreover, he graduated in 2007.
Further, from 2007 to 2008, he served in the armed forces in the Aghjabadi District’s area.
After which, he was transferred to the Ministry of Defense’s Central Sports Club as a bright athlete.
You might also be interested in reading about Gary Goodridge, a heavyweight kickboxer and Mix Martial Artist.
Rafael Aghayev: Age, Height, and Weight
Aghayev was born on 4th March of 1986, which makes him 38 years old.
One of the best in this generation, Rafael, stands at 5 feet 6 inches or 167 cm.
Aghaev is relatively small but uses his body strength for his victory. In addition, on top of that, he is noted for having no weaknesses.
His attention towards the audience and his rival is highly appreciated.
Further, Aghayev competes in the 70 kg division. Moreover, he weighs about 172 lbs or 78 kg.
Rafael Aghayev: Career
Aghayev is often known as the “Black Brilliant.”
When he was young, his father had encouraged him to become a sportsman, and hence he chose the World of Karate.
Further, Aghayev’s professional life can be divided into a Karateka and a coach or a businessman.
Karate
Rafael Aghayev beat every rival in his first-ever championship. Moreover, this man is also known to be mentally an iron man.
He received praise from Yashar Bashirov, President of the National Karate Federation.
Aghayev started his international career in 1997 when he joined his National Team and competed in the open World Cup in Miskolc, Hungary.
His effort, however, was not successful, but the following year, he won the English Open Championship.
Aghayev secured the third position in the World Championship among Cadets and Juniors in 2001 and became a European Champion in 2002.
Further, Rafael Aghayev is a multiple-time European Champion and World Champion.
Similarly, in 2008, at the 18th World Championship in Tokyo, Aghayev won two gold medals in the 70 kg and open category.
In addition, he also earned the title “Diamond of the Karate world.”
Hidayat Shabanove was his coach for more than eight years, trained Aghayev, and showered him with many victories.
Moreover, Shabanov was an influential individual in Rafael Aghayev’s life.
In addition, Aghayev also won a gold medal in the inaugural European Games hosted by Azerbaijan in June 2015 in the 75-kilogram division.
Further, Rafael Aghayev won a silver medal in the inaugural Olympics Karate Event in August 2021, in the Men’s Kumite 75 kg division.
Now, Rafael Aghayev is the captain of the Azerbaijan team under coach Rahman Hatamov.
Business
Apart from being a successful Karateka, Rafael Aghayev also has a website named rafaelaghayev.com.
Here, Aghayev gives online, private, and VIP classes for anyone interested in Karate.
This website also contains a gallery of photos, videos, and seminar videos of his achievements.
In addition, it also has his contact details and a way to register for his classes.
You might also like to read about the 15 Greatest Female MMA Fighters of All Time.
Rafael Aghayev: Awards
Rafael Aghayev has received many awards from the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan Republic.
Aghayev has also been listed among the top ten athletes in the country for multiple years.
Moreover, on top of that, the official sponsor of the National Karate Federation of Azerbaijan and the International Bank of Azerbaijan awarded Rafael Aghayev a new apartment and an Audi Q7.
Moreover, Aghayev has 21 Gold Medals, 7 Silver Medals, and 9 Bronze Medals.
Rafael Aghayev: Wife and Kids
Aghayev is a married man.
Further, he got married in 2016, according to a post on Twitter posted by the World Karate Federation.
However, his wife’s name is not known. And, he seems to be happily married and enjoying his marital life.
one of the best Karatekas Rafael also has a son named Ramal Aghayev.
However, his past relationships with any girlfriends are unknown.
You might be interested in reading about The Top 30 Richest MMA Fighters in the World to know about the wealthiest MMA fighters.
Rafael Aghayev: Net Worth
Rafael Aghayev has an estimated net worth of around $100k-$16 Million.
Further, his primary source of income is his Karate career and his business ventures.
However, his monthly and yearly salary is unknown. He also earns from various sponsorship deals.
Rafael Aghayev: Social Media
Rafael Aghayev is an international sensation. However, his presence on the social media platform is quite limited.
In addition, Rafael has a Facebook Fan Page. His fan and admirers made this page as a tribute to him.
On top of that, Aghayev also has an Instagram Page. His username is @aghayev_rafae, and he has more than 427 thousand followers.
He also endorses Adidas’s combat sports. In addition, he also has a youtube account with over 21.2k subscribers.
On top of that, Aghayev also has a website where we can find his photos and videos and sign up for his training classes.
National Karate Federation and World Karate Federation also post about him regularly.
Rafael Aghayev: FAQs
Is Rafael Aghayev retired?
Rafael has an exciting Karate career which he is very proud of. Further, Aghayev planned on retiring after Tokyo 2020.
However, Rafael Aghayev has been an international Karate sensation for more than two decades.
So, it will be difficult for him to dive into a world without fights and winning over his rivals.
What is the ranking of Rafael Aghayev?
Rafael is one of the best Karateka the world has ever seen.
On top of that, he is a five-time World Champion and an eleven-time European Champion.
But, as of now, Aghayev is in the verse of retiring.
However, he has been on the top of many world lists of Karate for many years.
As of now, Rafael Aghayev is ranked Black Belt, 5th dan.
How is Rafael Aghaev related to Adidas?
Well known for grappling, sticking, and smiling through his victory Rafael Aghayev is a man who is becoming wiser as he ages.
Further, Aghayev also has a biography with Adidas where we can read his career’s details.
Plus, he also endorses Adidas’s combat sports on his Instagram. He is also the face of Adidas’s combat sports.
Along with that, he mostly wears Adidas’s sports gear during his matches.
