Onik Martirosyan Wins Bronze at 2026 IMMAF Junior World Championships in Tbilisi

Armenian fighter Onik Martirosyan has won a bronze medal at the 2026 IMMAF Junior World Championships, taking place in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Competing in the 61.2 kg weight category, Martirosyan secured three victories on his way to the semifinals. The Armenian fighter defeated opponents from Ukraine, Switzerland, and Tajikistan to reach the final four.

In the semifinal bout on November 5, Martirosyan faced Russia's Ali Khizriev. The Russian fighter won by judges' decision, leaving Martirosyan with the bronze medal.

In the 61.2 kg final, Ali Khizriev will face Max Stary of the United States.

Martirosyan's bronze is Armenia's only medal at the 2026 IMMAF World Championships in Tbilisi.

Armenia's Results at the 2026 IMMAF World Championships

Armenia is represented by five athletes at the IMMAF World Championships: three in the senior division and two in the junior U20 category.

Seniors

• 56.7 kg — Artur Asoyan: Lost to a fighter from Angola in his opening bout and was eliminated from the competition.

• 74.8 kg — Mkrtich Vardanyan: Secured two victories, defeating an Indian opponent by submission via choke and a Norwegian fighter by judges' decision. He was eliminated in the quarterfinals after losing to a representative of Tajikistan by decision.

• 74.8 kg — Vahan Matevosyan: Lost to a German opponent in his opening bout.

Juniors U20

• 61.2 kg — Onik Martirosyan: Recorded three victories against fighters from Ukraine, Switzerland, and Tajikistan. In the semifinals, he lost to Russia's Ali Khizriev by judges' decision and earned the bronze medal.

• 70.3 kg — Araik Sahakyan: Opened his campaign with a decision victory over an Italian opponent but was eliminated in the quarterfinals after losing to a fighter from Tajikistan, also by judges' decision.

Martirosyan achieved the best result among Armenia's five representatives at the World Championships, securing the country's only medal of the tournament.