Freestyle wrester Namig Abdullayev will always have an important part to play in Azerbaijan's sporting history.

At Atlanta 1996 he won silver in the men's 52 kilograms division - the first ever Olympic medal the country won as an independent nation as they made their debut at the Games in the American city.

Abdullayev went one better four years later at Sydney 2000, becoming Azerbaijan's first male Olympic champion by winning the 55kg title.

He defeated Sammie Henson of the United States 4-3 in the final.

Abdullayev also won four World Championship medals during his career and two European titles.

His brother Arif Abdullayev is also a world champion wrestler.