2026 Greco-Roman Wrestling World Championships Day 1 Recap: First Finalists Confirmed, Armenia Has One Medal Hope Left
- Author: Vahe Hakobyan
- Sportaran
The 2026 World Wrestling Championships got underway on October 24 in Astana, Kazakhstan. On the opening day of competition, Greco-Roman wrestlers took to the mat in four weight categories — 55 kg, 60 kg, 77 kg, and 82 kg. Following the semifinal bouts, the first eight finalists were confirmed, with gold medals to be decided on October 25.
It was a disappointing start to the tournament for the Armenian national team. Of the four Armenian wrestlers competing on the opening day, three have been officially eliminated from medal contention. The only Armenian still in the running for a podium finish is Suren Aghajanyan (60 kg), who will compete in the repechage round.
Norayr Akhoyan (55 kg), reigning world champion Malkhas Amoyan (77 kg), and Samvel Grigoryan (82 kg) have all ended their campaigns at the championships.
2026 Greco-Roman Wrestling World Championships: Semifinal Results
55 kg
In the first semifinal, experienced Azerbaijani wrestler Eldaniz Azizli defeated Georgia's Vakhtang Lolua 5–1.
In the second semifinal, Iran's Payam Ahmadi Balootaki claimed a convincing 7–1 victory over Kazakhstan's Iskhar Kurbayev.
Final (October 25):
Eldaniz Azizli (Azerbaijan) vs. Payam Ahmadi Balootaki (Iran).
Armenia's participation in this weight category is now over. Norayr Akhoyan, who lost to Lolua in his opening bout, was denied a place in the repechage after the Georgian wrestler suffered defeat in the semifinals.
60 kg
Iran's Ali Ahmadi Vafa secured an 8–3 victory over Uzbekistan's Alisher Ganiev to advance to the World Championships final.
In the second semifinal, Japan's Koto Gomi defeated Kazakhstan's Aidos Sultangali 5–1.
Final (October 25):
Ali Ahmadi Vafa (Iran) vs. Koto Gomi (Japan).
It was the Japanese wrestler's qualification for the final that allowed Armenia's Suren Aghajanyan to remain in contention for a bronze medal.
Earlier in the competition, Aghajanyan defeated Georgia's Dimitri Khachidze 9–6 before suffering a 12–4 loss to Gomi. The Armenian wrestler must now advance through the repechage bouts to earn the opportunity to compete for bronze.
77 kg
In one of the most anticipated semifinals, Azerbaijan's Sanan Suleymanov defeated Iran's Ali Oskou 2–0.
In the other semifinal, Moldova's Alexandrin Gutu secured a victory by fall over Bulgaria's Stoyan Kubatov.
Final (October 25):
Sanan Suleymanov (Azerbaijan) vs. Alexandrin Gutu (Moldova).
Armenia will finish without a medal in this weight category. Reigning world champion Malkhas Amoyan suffered a surprise elimination in the round of 16, losing 4–2 to Kazakhstan's Merey Maulitkanov.
82 kg
Iran's Gholamreza Farokhisenjani advanced to the final following a closely contested semifinal against Russia's Gamzat Gadzhiev. The bout ended 3–3, but the Iranian wrestler was awarded victory on criteria.
In the second semifinal, Turkey's Yuksel Saricicek earned a convincing 6–0 victory over Kyrgyzstan's Akzhol Makhmudov.
Final (October 25):
Gholamreza Farokhisenjani (Iran) vs. Yuksel Saricicek (Turkey).
Armenia's Samvel Grigoryan, who had previously lost 2–1 to Gadzhiev, officially lost his chance to compete for bronze after the Russian wrestler was defeated in the semifinals.
Iran Leads the Way with Three Finalists
Following the opening day of competition, Iran has secured the highest number of finalists, with three wrestlers advancing to the gold medal bouts. Azerbaijan has two finalists, while Japan, Moldova, and Turkey will each be represented by one athlete.
The first four sets of medals at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships will be awarded on October 25.
On the same day, Greco-Roman wrestling action will continue in three additional weight categories — 72 kg, 97 kg, and 130 kg — with Armenian wrestlers also set to compete.
Armenian fans will be closely following Suren Aghajanyan in the repechage round, as he remains the national team's only hope of winning a medal across the first four weight categories.