Rhythmic gymnast performs a routine during a competition.

Male artistic gymnast performs on the parallel bars during a gymnastics competition.

Kamran Agayev, Azerbaijani football goalkeeper. Azerbaijan-Germany

Athletes competing on the running track during an athletics event at Baku Olympic Stadium. Baku Islamic Solidarity Games 2017

Turkish athlete crossing the finish line in first place during an athletics competition at Baku Olympic Stadium. Baku Islamic Solidarity Games 2017

Athlete sitting on the running track in exhaustion after finishing the race. Baku Islamic Solidarity Games 2017

Female athlete competing on the running track during an athletics event. Baku Islamic Solidarity Games 2017

Volleyball players block a powerful attack from the opposing team during a match. Baku European Games 2015

Volleyball player protests the referee's decision during the match. Baku European Games 2015

Azerbaijan women's national volleyball team competing in an international volleyball match. Baku European Games 2015

Gold Medal. Baku Islamic Solidarity Games 2017

Tennis player hits a forehand shot during a tennis match. Baku European Games 2015

Exhausted tennis player with beads of sweat on the face after the match. Baku European Games 2015

Tennis player and their shadow on the court while preparing to return the ball. Baku European Games 2015

Tennis player serving to start the match.

Azerbaijani wrestler celebrates victory with the Azerbaijan flag after winning a wrestling match. Baku Islamic Solidarity Games 2017

Wrestler drinks water during a break in the competition. Baku Islamic Solidarity Games 2017

Azerbaijani wrestler defeats an opponent to win the match. Baku Islamic Solidarity Games 2017

Gold medal is presented to the winning athlete during the sports award ceremony. Baku Islamic Solidarity Games 2017

Mehriban Aliyeva presents the gold medal to an Azerbaijani wrestler during the award ceremony. Baku Islamic Solidarity Games 2017

Female wrestler holds an opponent in a submission hold while looking toward the referee and waiting for the decision. Baku European Games 2015

During a break, the Turkish wrestler's coach treats the athlete's strained muscle. Baku Islamic Solidarity Games 2017

Exhausted wrestlers lie on their backs on opposite sides of the mat as the referee signals them to get up and continue the match. Baku Islamic Solidarity Games 2017

Boxing referee closely watches the fighters and carefully observes their movements during the match. European Games 2015

Boxer celebrates victory after defeating an opponent. Baku European Games 2015

Boxer lands a punch to the opponent's face during the match. Baku European Games 2015

Female table tennis player tosses the ball into the air and focuses on it before serving. Baku European Games 2015

Male artistic gymnast performs on the rings during a gymnastics competition.

Cyclists race through the streets of Icherisheher with the historic city walls and the Flame Towers visible in the background. Baku European Games 2015

Formula 1 cars race through the streets of Baku during the Grand Prix. Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2017

Sports

Between 2014 and 2017, I worked as a photojournalist covering both international and domestic sporting events held in Azerbaijan. During this period, I documented decisive moments across a wide range of sports, preserving not only the atmosphere of the competitions but also the emotions of the athletes.

This gallery features a selection of photographs from the 2015 Baku European Games, the 2017 Baku Islamic Solidarity Games, the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and various football matches. It also includes images from athletics, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, boxing, wrestling, and other sporting events.

Rather than focusing on official results, these photographs document the speed, intensity, competitive spirit, and human emotion that define sport. Each image serves as a visual record of a unique moment in time.

Professional sports photography — Elshan Baba

Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grad Prix 2017

Bax