Armenian School of Wrestling: Analysis of Performance at the European Championships U15, U17, U20, and U23

In June and early July 2025, the Armenian national wrestling team took part in three continental championships — in the U15, U17, and U20 age groups. A few months earlier, in March, the team also competed in the European Championship for wrestlers under 23 (U23). Armenia was represented with full squads in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. Across all four tournaments, Armenian athletes won a total of 30 medals, including 6 golds, showing consistency but not record-breaking effectiveness.

The most dominant wrestler in the Armenian team was Marat Achemyan (51 kg, U17). The Greco-Roman wrestler won all of his bouts ahead of time and didn’t concede a single point — a total score of 37:0.

Marat is now a two-time European U17 champion.

U15: A Promising Generation

The European U15 Championship was Armenia’s most successful in terms of total medals — 12 podium finishes. Young Greco-Roman wrestlers stood out, securing 2nd place in the team standings. Aram Sargsyan (68 kg) won gold, while five others earned silver or bronze medals.

Freestyle wrestlers also claimed six medals, including gold by Erik Papikyan (57 kg), who defeated his compatriot Tigran Kolotyan in the final. Armenia finished second in the team standings, behind only Azerbaijan.

U17: Greco-Roman Leads the Way

At the cadet European Championship, Armenia shined in Greco-Roman wrestling. The team won five medals, including two golds — by Marat Achemyan (51 kg) and Hayk Manukyan (60 kg). Armenia finished 1st in the team rankings, ahead of Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Freestyle results were more modest: one silver and three bronze medals. Despite the absence of champions, the freestyle team displayed fighting spirit and secured 4th place in the team standings.

U20: A Decline in Results

The European U20 Championship proved less fruitful. The Armenian team collected only four medals, split evenly between freestyle and Greco-Roman.

In freestyle, Sargis Begoyan (61 kg) won gold, and Razmik Yepremyan (86 kg) claimed bronze — enough for 4th place in the team rankings.

In Greco-Roman, Gaspar Terteryan (72 kg) won silver, and his brother Samvel Terteryan (77 kg) took bronze. The team did not finish among the top three.

U23: March Performance

The European U23 Championship in March brought Armenia five medals. Freestyle wrestlers performed notably: Levik Mikaelyan (61 kg) won gold, Knyaz Iboyan (92 kg) took silver, and Khachatur Khachatryan (125 kg) won bronze.

Greco-Roman wrestlers earned two bronze medals — by Araik Topalyan (55 kg) and Vigen Nazaryan (87 kg).

Summary and Evaluation

Armenia won 30 medals across the four European championships — a solid result, particularly in the younger age groups. Greco-Roman wrestling was the standout discipline, with several champions and a first-place finish in the U17 team rankings.

Freestyle wrestling also delivered bright moments — especially at the youth and junior levels — where Armenia won golds but generally lagged behind the main rivals in team placements.

Overall, the performance of the Armenian team can be described as consistent but not exceptional. While the medal count is impressive, only 6 of the 30 medals were gold, indicating limited effectiveness in finals. Furthermore, there is a noticeable decline in performance in the U20 and U23 categories compared to the younger levels.

Conclusion

The Armenian wrestling school continues to produce competitive athletes, especially in Greco-Roman wrestling. Results at the youth and cadet levels confirm a strong reserve. However, a performance dip begins in the U20 and U23 categories — a natural trend, given the lack of domestic competition in these age groups. This is largely due to the mandatory two-year military service for young men, after which many do not return to professional sports. The economic factor also plays a role — many athletes start working to support their families after military service, and only a few have the means to focus solely on training. Only one or two athletes per weight class typically receive a military service deferment, which decreases internal competition and ultimately impacts results.

Full Results from the Four European Championships

Greco-Roman Wrestling

U15
– 2nd place in team standings — 125 points (6 points behind the winner)
– 6 medals: 1 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze
Medalists:

• Gold — Aram Sargsyan (68 kg)

• Silver — Vahan Grigoryan (41 kg), Narek Aleyan (48 kg), Pavel Nazaryan (62 kg)

• Bronze — Vardan Saakyan (44 kg), Gegham Yeghiazaryan (52 kg)
  5th place: Vardan Melkonyan (38 kg), Hayk Karapetyan (68 kg)

U17
– 1st place in team standings — 135 points
– 5 medals: 2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze
Medalists:

• Gold — Marat Achemyan (51 kg), Hayk Manukyan (60 kg)

• Silver — Martin Manjikyan (48 kg), Janes Nazaryan (65 kg)

• Bronze — Ararat Avetisyan (45 kg)
  5th place: Vazgen Mnatsakanyan (55 kg), Gor Mkhitaryan (110 kg)

U20
– 5th place in team standings — 71 points
– 2 medals: 1 silver, 1 bronze
Medalists:

• Silver — Gaspar Terteryan (72 kg)

• Bronze — Samvel Terteryan (77 kg)

U23
– 6th place in team standings — 70 points
– 2 medals: 2 bronze
Medalists:

• Bronze — Araik Topalyan (55 kg), Vigen Nazaryan (87 kg)
  5th place: Suren Agadzhanyan (60 kg), David Zhotyan (63 kg), Razmik Kurdyan (130 kg)

Freestyle Wrestling

U15
– 2nd place in team standings — 114 points
– 6 medals: 1 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze
Medalists:

• Gold — Erik Papikyan (57 kg)

• Silver — Tigran Kolotyan (57 kg), Artur Mkrtchyan (75 kg)

• Bronze — Aren Piruzyan (44 kg), Aren Mirzoyan (52 kg), Hamlet Antonyan (62 kg)
  5th place: Shagen Martirosyan (68 kg), Meruzhan Kocharyan (85 kg)

U17
– 4th place in team standings — 107 points
– 4 medals: 1 silver, 3 bronze
Medalists:

• Silver — Artak Agabekyan (48 kg)

• Bronze — Aren Piruzyan (45 kg), Armen Papikyan (55 kg), Razmik Voskanian (60 kg)
  5th place: Vahan Azaryan (51 kg), Avetik Tuthalyan (71 kg)

U20
– 4th place in team standings — 70 points
– 2 medals: 1 gold, 1 bronze
Medalists:

• Gold — Sargis Begoyan (61 kg)

• Bronze — Razmik Yepremyan (86 kg)
  5th place: Arman Musikyants (65 kg)

U23
– 4th place in team standings — 86 points
– 3 medals: 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze
Medalists:

• Gold — Levik Mikaelyan (61 kg)

• Silver — Knyaz Iboyan (92 kg)

• Bronze — Khachatur Khachatryan (125 kg)
  5th place: Hayk Abrahamyan (65 kg)

Total Medal Count:

• Gold: 6

• Silver: 10

• Bronze: 14

• Total: 30 medals