Stepan Sargsyan Cup 2026: Winners of the First Five Weight Categories
- Author: Vahe Hakobyan
- Sportaran
The first block of finals at the international freestyle wrestling tournament Stepan Sargsyan Cup 2026 took place in Yerevan on September 12. The tournament is being held in the Armenian capital from September 10 to 13.
Following the finals in the first five weight categories, Team Armenia claimed three medals — one gold and two bronze.
The biggest success came from Manvel Khndzrtsyan, who won the 57 kg weight category. In the final, the Armenian wrestler defeated Belarusian representative Aryan Tsiutryn 8-6 to claim the gold medal at the home tournament.
Narek Harutyunyan and Razmik Yepremyan added two more medals for Armenia.
In the 74 kg bronze-medal bout, Harutyunyan produced a convincing 8-0 victory over Poland's Kamil Rybicki, ending the match early.
At 86 kg, Razmik Yepremyan defeated Kazakhstan's Magzhan Zhanyrbay 6-2.
Several other Armenian wrestlers also came close to winning medals. At 65 kg, Aren Hayrapetyan lost the bronze-medal bout to Kazakhstan's Adil Ospanov 4-8. In the 97 kg category, Martin Simonyan was defeated 0-5 by Belarusian wrestler Aliaksandr Hushtyn, while Gurgen Simonyan narrowly lost a hard-fought bout to Russia's Shamil Tambiev, 4-6.
September 12 Finals Results
57 kg
Final: Manvel Khndzrtsyan (Armenia) — Aryan Tsiutryn (Belarus) — 8-6
Bronze-medal bouts:
Ion Bulgaru (Moldova) — Luka Gvinjilia (Georgia) — 4-5
Dimchik Batomunkuev (Belarus) — Amir Chamzyn (Russia) — 8-6
65 kg
Final: Abasgadzhi Magomedov (Russia) — Ossimzhan Dastanbek (Kazakhstan) — 10-0
Bronze-medal bouts:
Adil Ospanov (Kazakhstan) — Aren Hayrapetyan (Armenia) — 8-4
John McKenna (USA) — Rifat Saibotalov (Kazakhstan) — 10-1
74 kg
Final: Imam Ganishov (Russia) — Cameron Amine (USA) — 3-1
Bronze-medal bouts:
Kamil Rybicki (Poland) — Narek Harutyunyan (Armenia) — 0-8
Darkhan Yessengali (Kazakhstan) — Murad Dzakupov (Kazakhstan) — 2-1
86 kg
Final: Askhab Khajiev (Kazakhstan) — Zahid Valencia (USA) — 12-11
Bronze-medal bouts:
Magzhan Zhanyrbay (Kazakhstan) — Razmik Yepremyan (Armenia) — 2-6
Rustem Myrzagaliyev (Kazakhstan) — Alan Tigiev (Bulgaria) — 10-7
97 kg
Final: Konstantine Petriashvili (Georgia) — Uladzislau Kazlou (Belarus) — 10-0
Bronze-medal bouts:
Aliaksandr Hushtyn (Belarus) — Martin Simonyan (Armenia) — 5-0
Gurgen Simonyan (Armenia) — Shamil Tambiev (Russia) — 4-6
Thus, the winners of the first five weight categories were Manvel Khndzrtsyan (Armenia), Abasgadzhi Magomedov (Russia), Imam Ganishov (Russia), Askhab Khajiev (Kazakhstan) and Konstantine Petriashvili (Georgia).
On September 13, Team Armenia will have two more opportunities to add gold medals to its tally. In the 61 kg final, Sargis Begoyan will face Kazakhstan's Mairambek Kartbay, while at 70 kg Vazgen Tevanyan will battle Russia's Ibragim Ibragimov for gold.
Final Pairings for September 13
61 kg: Mairambek Kartbay (Kazakhstan) — Sargis Begoyan (Armenia)
70 kg: Ibragim Ibragimov (Russia) — Vazgen Tevanyan (Armenia)
79 kg: Gadzhimurad Alikhmaev (Russia) — Isaac Olejnik (USA)
92 kg: Magomed Ramazanov (Bulgaria) — Amanula Gadzhimagomedov (Russia)
125 kg: Merab Suleimanishvili (Georgia) — Mohser Siyar (Germany)
A total of 181 athletes from 15 countries are competing in this year's Stepan Sargsyan Cup. Armenia is represented by nearly all of the country's top wrestlers. In addition to Khndzrtsyan and Tevanyan, Arman Andreasyan, Khachatur Khachaturyan and other members of the national team are taking part in the tournament.
A number of decorated international wrestlers have also arrived in Yerevan, including world champion Zahid Valencia of the United States, world and European champion Abasgadzhi Magomedov of Russia, and European champion Ibragim Ibragimov.
The Armenian government has allocated more than 25 million drams to the Wrestling Federation of Armenia for the organization and staging of the tournament.
Prize money is also being awarded: the winner of each weight category will receive $2,000, silver medalists will earn $1,000, and bronze medalists will receive $500.
The second block of Stepan Sargsyan Cup finals will take place on September 13, starting at 13:00.