Armenia's Disappointing Start at 2026 Wrestling World Championships: Amoyan Loses, All Four Wrestlers Out of Gold Medal Contention

he 2026 World Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships kicked off on October 24 in Astana, Kazakhstan. Four members of the Armenian national team took to the mat on the opening day, but none managed to reach the quarterfinals.

The biggest surprise was the defeat of reigning world champion Malkhas Amoyan (77 kg), whose title defense came to an end in the Round of 16. Suren Aghajanyan (60 kg), Norayr Akhoyan (55 kg), and Samvel Grigoryan (82 kg) also failed to advance.

As a result, Armenian wrestlers recorded just two victories in six bouts. However, all four still retain a theoretical chance of competing for bronze medals through the repechage rounds.

Malkhas Amoyan Suffers Shock Defeat Against Kazakhstan's Wrestler

Armenia's main gold medal hope, Malkhas Amoyan, began his World Championships campaign with a hard-fought victory over Russia's Sergey Kutuzov. The bout ended 1-1, with the Armenian wrestler advancing on criteria.

However, in the Round of 16, Amoyan suffered an unexpected 4-2 defeat to Kazakhstan's Merey Maulitkanov.

The decisive moment came in the first period when the Kazakh wrestler capitalized on Amoyan's unsuccessful attempt to execute a move in par terre. Following a video review, Maulitkanov was awarded additional points, leaving the Armenian wrestler chasing the score.

Amoyan was unable to turn the bout around in the second period.

It is possible that the effects of an injury sustained at a recent tournament in Poland affected Malkhas's physical condition. However, there is currently no confirmation that the injury played a role in the result.

Amoyan will now have to wait at least another year for a chance to claim his third world championship gold medal. He could still compete for bronze in Astana if Maulitkanov reaches the final.

Suren Aghajanyan Wins Opening Bout but Falls to Japanese Opponent

Young Armenian wrestler Suren Aghajanyan (60 kg), making his senior World Championships debut, opened his campaign with an impressive 9-6 victory over Georgia's Dimitri Khachidze.

In the Round of 16, Aghajanyan faced Japan's Koto Gomi. The bout proved extremely difficult for the Armenian wrestler.

With the score at 0-8, Armenia's coaching staff requested a video review of a controversial sequence. The challenge was successful, and the score was adjusted to 4-6.

However, Aghajanyan was unable to build on that momentum. The Japanese wrestler regained control and ultimately secured an early victory by a score of 12-4.

The silver medalist at the 2026 European Championships therefore finished his main-draw campaign with one victory and one defeat. His chances of continuing in the tournament now depend on Koto Gomi's result.

Norayr Hakhoyan and Samvel Grigoryan Lose Their Opening Bouts

In the 55 kg weight category, Norayr Hakhoyan faced reigning world champion Vakhtang Lolua of Georgia in his opening bout.

The Armenian wrestler put up strong resistance against his decorated opponent but suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat. As a result, Hakhoyan was eliminated in the Round of 16.

The World Championships also began unsuccessfully for Samvel Grigoryan (82 kg). In his opening bout, the Armenian lost 2-1 to Russia's Gamzat Gadzhiev and failed to advance to the next round.

Armenian Wrestlers' Results on October 24 at the 2026 World Championships

• 55 kg — Norayr Hakhoyan: Lost to Vakhtang Lolua (Georgia), 1-2.

• 60 kg — Suren Aghajanyan: Defeated Dimitri Khachidze (Georgia), 9-6; lost to Koto Gomi (Japan), 4-12.

• 77 kg — Malkhas Amoyan: Defeated Sergey Kutuzov (Russia), 1-1 on criteria; lost to Merey Maulitkanov (Kazakhstan), 2-4.

• 82 kg — Samvel Grigoryan: Lost to Gamzat Gadzhiev (Russia), 1-2.

Despite the disappointing start, all four Armenian wrestlers still have a mathematical chance of winning bronze medals.

To qualify for the repechage rounds, the opponents who defeated them must reach the finals in their respective weight categories.

The repechage bouts and medal matches in the 55, 60, 77, and 82 kg divisions will take place on October 25.

On the same day, three more Armenian wrestlers will begin their World Championships campaigns: Ashot Khachatryan (72 kg), Hayk Khloyan (97 kg), and Razmik Kurdyan (130 kg).

In total, Armenia is represented by ten athletes at the World Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships in Astana.