Armenians in Bronze Hunt: U20 European Freestyle Wrestling Championships Begin

On July 4, the U20 European Freestyle Wrestling Championships kicked off in Caorle, Italy. The finalists in five weight categories — 57, 65, 70, 79, and 97 kg — were determined on the opening day.

Armenian wrestlers did not reach the finals, but two athletes still have a chance to fight for medals. Arman Musikyan (65 kg) and Narek Nikoghosyan (79 kg) will compete in the repechage on July 5, seeking a chance to wrestle for bronze. Musikyan must overcome opponents from Germany and Turkey, while Nikoghosyan faces wrestlers from Turkey and Austria.

Unfortunately, three Armenians have finished their tournament after defeats, missing the opportunity to enter the repechage. These were Sasha Petrosyan (57 kg), Vladimir Azaryan (70 kg), and Ghrachik Mkrtchyan (97 kg).

On July 5, five more Armenian wrestlers will enter the mat:

Sargis Begoyan (61 kg),
Araik Ayvazyan (74 kg),
Razmik Yepremyan (86 kg),
Narek Ikilikyan (92 kg),
Henrik Aykyan (125 kg).

After Day 1, the finalists include 3 wrestlers from Georgia, 2 from Russia, 2 from Azerbaijan, and 1 each from Italy, Ukraine, and France.

Final pairings – Day 1

57 kg
Vasif Baghirov (Azerbaijan) — Nika Zangaladze (Georgia)
(Baghirov beat Ion Bulgariu of Moldova 8:1; Zangaladze dominated Russia's Ozdamirov 10:0)

65 kg
Viktor Borokhan (Ukraine) — Amal Jandubaev (Russia)
(Borokhan beat Gujaraidze 11:1; Jandubaev defeated Turkey's Toprak 16:5)

70 kg
Inal Cheldiev (Russia) — Daniele Gubbiotti (Italy)
(Cheldiev beat Gaidarli 8:5; Gubbiotti upset Temur of Turkey 5:2)

79 kg
Davit Tchechelashvili (Georgia) — Muradkhan Omarov (Azerbaijan)
(Tchechelashvili beat Saidulov 10:4; Omarov crushed Inshapiyev 11:0)

97 kg
Askhab Dadaev (France) — Konstantine Petriashvili (Georgia)
(Dadaev edged Karavanos of Greece 3:2; Petriashvili advanced over Magomedov on last point, 3:3)