Four-time European champion Arsen Harutyunyan (61 kg) was unable to defend his title at the 2025 European Wrestling Championships in Bratislava, losing in the final to Olympic champion Zavur Uguev (Russia) with a score of 5:7.
The final bout was extremely intense. Uguev started off more aggressively, leading 3:1 after the first period. However, in the second half of the match, Harutyunyan executed a spectacular 4-point throw, taking the lead – 5:3. It seemed the Armenian wrestler was close to victory, but the Russian showed determination, turning the match around and winning by a comeback – 7:5.
Harutyunyan’s path in the tournament:
Round of 16: dominant win over Iliev (Bulgaria) – 11:0
Quarterfinal: confident victory against Kolesnik (Moldova) – 12:2
Semifinal: win over Abakarov (Albania) – 5:2
Final: loss to Uguev (Russia) – 5:7
Despite the final setback, Harutyunyan reaffirmed his high level, reaching the European Championship podium for the sixth time (4 golds, 1 silver, and 1 bronze).
Armenia finished the tournament with three medals:
Silver: Arsen Harutyunyan (61 kg), Arman Andreasyan (70 kg)
Bronze: Vazgen Tevanyan (65 kg)