2026 U23 World Wrestling Championships: Day 1 Freestyle Results and First Finalists Confirmed

The first day of freestyle wrestling competition at the 2026 U23 World Wrestling Championships has concluded in Las Vegas, USA. The finalists have been determined in five weight categories: 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 92 kg, and 125 kg. Five Armenian wrestlers took to the mat on the opening day, with two of them still in contention for bronze medals.

Sargis Begoyan (61 kg) came closest to reaching the final among the Armenian wrestlers. He advanced to the semifinals, where he faced Yukhan Dokturbek Uulu of Kyrgyzstan.

The bout was intense and high-scoring. Begoyan put up strong resistance but ultimately suffered a narrow 8–10 defeat. The Armenian wrestler will now compete in a bronze medal match.

Another Armenian representative, Razmik Yepremyan (86 kg), also remains in contention for a podium finish. He must advance through the repechage rounds to earn a place in a bronze medal match.

Thus, after the opening day of competition, two of Armenia's five freestyle wrestlers remain in medal contention at the World Championships.

Arsen Balayan Reaches the Final Representing Russia

Arsen Balayan (86 kg), competing for Russia, was among the wrestlers who secured a place in the finals. In his semifinal bout, he defeated Mongolia's Batbilguun Naadambat 3–0.

In the gold medal match, Balayan will face Turkey's Ahmet Yagan, who defeated Moldova's Evgeniy Mikhalchin 3–2 in the semifinals. Earlier, in the quarterfinals, Yagan had beaten Armenia's Razmik Yepremyan 3–1.

Russia secured three places in the finals on the opening day. Alongside Balayan, Magomed Baytukaev (74 kg) and Arslan Bagaev (92 kg) will also compete for gold medals.

2026 U23 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships: Semifinal Results

61 kg

• Benjamin Davino (USA) vs. Gabriel Weisenhant (Romania) — 10–0

• Yukhan Dokturbek Uulu (Kyrgyzstan) vs. Sargis Begoyan (Armenia) — 10–8

American wrestler Benjamin Davino advanced comfortably to the final with a victory by technical superiority over his Romanian opponent. He will face Yukhan Dokturbek Uulu in the gold medal match.

74 kg

• Magomed Baytukaev (Russia) vs. Raul Caso (Italy) — 4–0

• Ali Karampour (Iran) vs. Jayden James (USA) — 2–10, victory by fall for James

Baytukaev prevented his Italian opponent from scoring a single point, while American wrestler Jayden James secured a victory by fall over his Iranian rival.

86 kg

• Evgeniy Mikhalchin (Moldova) vs. Ahmet Yagan (Turkey) — 2–3

• Arsen Balayan (Russia) vs. Batbilguun Naadambat (Mongolia) — 3–0

The gold medal in this weight category will be contested by wrestlers representing Russia and Turkey.

92 kg

• Gabriele Niccolini (Italy) vs. Arslan Bagaev (Russia) — 0–10

• Fatih Altunbas (Turkey) vs. Abolfazl Firouzai (Iran) — 3–6

Bagaev progressed confidently through the semifinals, defeating his Italian opponent 10–0. He will face an Iranian wrestler in the final.

125 kg

• Khetag Karsanov (Azerbaijan) vs. Abolfazl Nejad (Iran) — 0–5

• Milan Gellen (Hungary) vs. Aleksandre Abramishvili (Georgia) — 0–11

In the heavyweight division, Iran's Abolfazl Nejad and Georgia's Aleksandre Abramishvili secured places in the final.

2026 U23 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships: Final Matchups

The gold medal matches in the first five weight categories will take place on October 18. The finals session is scheduled to begin at 04:00 Moscow time (05:00 Yerevan time).

61 kg: Benjamin Davino (USA) vs. Yukhan Dokturbek Uulu (Kyrgyzstan).

74 kg: Magomed Baytukaev (Russia) vs. Jayden James (USA).

86 kg: Ahmet Yagan (Turkey) vs. Arsen Balayan (Russia).

92 kg: Arslan Bagaev (Russia) vs. Abolfazl Firouzai (Iran).

125 kg: Abolfazl Nejad (Iran) vs. Aleksandre Abramishvili (Georgia).

The 2026 U23 World Wrestling Championships are being held in Las Vegas from October 12 to 18. The freestyle wrestling competition brings the World Championships program to a close.