Every March 5, Azerbaijan celebrates the Day of Physical Culture and Sport, a national observance established in 2005 by President Ilham Aliyev. This day recognizes the significance of physical culture in enhancing the health of the Azerbaijani people, particularly the youth, and honors the achievements of Azerbaijani athletes in international competitions. Azerbaijan has a rich sporting heritage, with traditional sports still practiced alongside modern ones, and freestyle wrestling is recognized as the national sport. Popular sports in the country include chess and football. Since gaining independence, Azerbaijani athletes have participated in the Olympic Games, winning a total of 26 medals, primarily in wrestling, shooting, judo, boxing, and weightlifting. The celebration also highlights the country’s success in other sports such as futsal, rhythmic gymnastics, volleyball, rugby, and kickboxing.