Russian freestyle wrestler Arsen Balayan claimed a remarkable victory at the U23 European Championships held in Tirana, Albania. In the final match, he confidently defeated Azerbaijan’s Farid Jabarov with a score of 5-1, securing his first gold medal in a major international tournament.
Arsen Balayan, an Armenian-origin wrestler from Kaliningrad, had already made a name for himself on the world stage, winning bronze medals at the U23 World and European Championships. However, it was in Tirana that he reached the pinnacle and became the continental champion.
Balayan’s path to gold was dominant, as he showcased high-level wrestling skills and tactical maturity in every bout:
- Round of 16: Arsen Balayan (Russia) – Aykan Seid (Bulgaria) – 10-0.
- Quarterfinals: Arsen Balayan (Russia) – Alexander Vyarbitsky (Belarus) – 10-0.
- Semifinals: Arsen Balayan (Russia) – Ibrahim Yaprak (Turkey) – 2-1.
- Final: Arsen Balayan (Russia) – Farid Jabarov (Azerbaijan) – 5-1.
The victory in Tirana became a crucial milestone in Balayan’s career. This success not only strengthened his position in the Russian national team but also confirmed his potential as one of the most promising wrestlers on the international stage.