Armenian Judokas Finish European U23 Championships in Naples Without Medals

The European U23 Judo Championships have concluded in Naples, Italy. Armenia's six-member team finished the competition without winning a medal. The best result came from Shavarsh Nahapetyan, who placed fifth in the men's under-60 kg category.

Nahapetyan Falls Just Short of Bronze

In the under-60 kg division, Shavarsh Nahapetyan opened his campaign with a victory over a Polish opponent but lost to an Italian judoka in the quarterfinals. He then defeated a Hungarian opponent in the repechage round to earn a chance to compete for a bronze medal.

In the bronze medal contest, Nahapetyan was defeated by Georgia's Luka Gadelia, finishing the competition in fifth place.

Competing in the same weight category, Vahe Aghasyan secured two victories against opponents from Austria and Germany. However, he lost to an Israeli judoka in the quarterfinals before suffering another defeat against a French opponent in the repechage round. Aghasyan ultimately finished seventh.

Other Armenian Judokas Eliminated in Their Opening Bouts

In the under-66 kg category, Arshak Bekhchyan lost his opening contest to Ukraine's Gagik Martirosyan. Martirosyan subsequently reached the semifinals, where he was defeated by an Azerbaijani opponent, before losing to a Serbian judoka in the bronze medal contest.

Armenia's three other representatives were also eliminated after their opening contests:

• 73 kg: Artak Torosyan lost to an opponent from Hungary.

• 81 kg: Tigran Sarukhanyan was defeated by a Swedish judoka.

• 100 kg: Gor Karapetyan suffered a defeat against a representative of Moldova.

Azerbaijan Tops the Medal Table

Azerbaijan finished at the top of the European U23 Championships medal standings, claiming three gold medals.

Italy, Israel and Romania each secured two gold medals, while Georgia, Germany, Croatia, Spain and Poland won one gold medal apiece.

Armenia therefore ended the tournament without a podium finish. Of the six Armenian competitors, only Shavarsh Nahapetyan and Vahe Aghasyan managed to finish among the top seven in their respective weight categories.