Artur Aleksanyan Awaiting the 2025 Wrestling World Championship

From September 13 to 21, 2025, the Wrestling World Championship will be held in Zagreb, Croatia. One of the main participants of the tournament will be the legendary Armenian Greco-Roman wrestler Artur Aleksanyan. Earlier, media reports suggested that the athlete might miss the championship, but now his participation has been officially confirmed. For fans, this is joyful news and yet another reason to recall the path of the "White Bear" and learn about his preparation for the upcoming tournament.

Artur Aleksanyan was born in Gyumri into the family of Honored Coach of Armenia Gevorg Aleksanyan. His childhood fell during the difficult 1990s, but from an early age his father instilled in him a love for sports and discipline. At the age of eight, Artur began training, and the strict guidance of his father helped raise both a champion and a strong personality.

According to Artur, choosing wrestling was a natural decision for him. His father, uncle, and brother were already engaged in the sport. Wrestling had fascinated him since childhood, so the choice was obvious. The future athlete actively competed in youth tournaments, and in 2010 he became Junior World Champion in the 84 kg category. A year later, he moved to the 96 kg weight class and began competing at the senior level.

After winning the Armenian Championship, Aleksanyan joined the national team. From there, his career gained momentum—but the road to victory was not easy. In 2012, he won a gold medal at the European Championships. Thanks to these achievements, he became a participant in the 2012 London Olympic Games. But he continued to build on his success. Victorious performances at the European Championships in 2013 and 2014, as well as the World Championships in 2014 and 2015, cemented his status. He had already become an established wrestler who saw challenges as stepping stones toward new victories.

At the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016, Aleksanyan once again won gold. During the medal ceremony, he wore a T-shirt featuring Robert Abajyan, who had died in the Karabakh conflict. The gesture sparked mixed reactions in society. Aleksanyan thereby emphasized his civic stance and honored the memory of the soldier. According to the athlete, Abajyan’s relatives tearfully thanked him for bringing public attention to the tragic events in Karabakh. This story, Aleksanyan said, deserved to be remembered.

An athlete’s life is not only about victories and joy but also about numerous injuries and struggles. Aleksanyan went through a difficult period, facing both health and career challenges. He endured many problems caused by injuries—for example, in Kazakhstan in 2019, where he competed with broken ribs, pushing through the pain. Despite this, he reached the final. But at the doctors’ insistence, he had to withdraw from the competition. Years of intense training and injuries had taken a serious toll on his health, making recovery essential.

In 2019, Aleksanyan was invited to become a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in Armenia. According to him, this was an important event in his life. It gave him another opportunity to draw attention to pressing social issues. Aleksanyan remarked: “It is a great honor for me to become a goodwill ambassador. I accepted the offer immediately, because it is connected with the future of children.”

In 2024, Artur became European Champion for the seventh time in Bucharest. This was the best proof that his efforts had not been in vain. Aleksanyan always strived for the best results and to serve his nation. The state has long recognized his contribution to the development of sports. He is a recipient of the “For Services to the Motherland” award and the Movses Khorenatsi Medal.

Artur Aleksanyan’s name has long been inscribed in the history of world sports. He has proven himself not only as a wrestler but also as someone who reminded society of serious global issues. His civic stance has been unwavering, and many have come to respect and heed his voice.

When asked about retirement, the “White Bear” gives evasive answers, saying he has no such plans for now. His desire to win has remained unchanged, despite all his past achievements. Neither hardships nor circumstances have destroyed his love for the sport. In one interview, he admitted: “Wrestling is full of painful and difficult moments, and victories are important. But for me, wrestling is a way of life. What I like most about this sport is the feeling of kinship. It exists both among my generation and among the elders.”

Like most athletes, Artur Aleksanyan is a strong-willed person. He believes that fatigue in sports is only a temporary phenomenon that should not stand in the way of victories. “You know, there are moments when I get tired. But I know exactly why I train, the path I have taken, the path I am on now, and how I will go all the way to achieve my goal,” says Aleksanyan.

Currently, Artur Aleksanyan is actively preparing for the 2025 Greco-Roman Wrestling World Championship in Zagreb. He has fully recovered from his injuries and is in excellent shape. Alongside training, he continues to participate in charity events and media projects, but preparation for the main tournament of the year remains his top priority.

Through his example, Aleksanyan has proven that a true champion is not only a winner on the mat but also a person with integrity and dignity. He inspires young people with his actions, remains highly respected, and continues to fight for new heights.

Today, the entire sports world eagerly awaits Artur Aleksanyan’s performance at the 2025 Wrestling World Championship. His journey continues, which means new victories and achievements lie ahead.

Author: Karina Hayrapetova, journalist.