From Heartbreaking Defeats to World Championship Gold: Karen Aslanyan’s Nine-Year Journey to the Ultimate Title

On October 27, 2026, Karen Aslanyan became a Greco-Roman wrestling world champion for the first time in his career. In the 63 kg final, the 31-year-old Armenian defeated Azerbaijan’s Nihat Mammadli 8–4, avenging a defeat he had suffered two years earlier.

The victory marked the culmination of a long and difficult journey. Over nine years competing at the senior level, Aslanyan endured numerous painful defeats, controversial refereeing decisions, a change of weight category, and an extended break from competition. Despite all these setbacks, the Armenian wrestler managed to return to the highest level and capture the most important title of his career.

We look back at Karen Aslanyan’s performances at major international tournaments from 2017 to 2026.

Early Success and Three European Bronze Medals (2017–2020)

Karen Aslanyan began competing for Armenia’s senior national team in 2017 in the 66 kg weight category. Even then, he showed considerable potential, although he repeatedly fell just short of winning medals at major tournaments.

At the 2017 World Championships, Aslanyan recorded three victories and finished fifth. Particularly painful were two narrow defeats by identical 2–1 scores against a Korean wrestler and Russia’s Artem Surkov.

In 2018, following changes to the weight categories, Karen moved up to 67 kg, where he continued competing for several seasons.

2018 European Championships — First Medal

At the 2018 European Championships, Aslanyan reached the podium at a major senior tournament for the first time, winning bronze. His only defeat came against Artem Surkov, 6–3.

However, at the World Championships later that year, the Armenian wrestler was unable to build on that success. He lost his opening bout to Azerbaijan’s Kamran Mammadov on criteria after the match ended 2–2.

2019 European Championships — Second Bronze

At the following European Championships, Aslanyan once again finished among the medalists. He secured two technical superiority victories, 8–0 and 11–1, with his only defeat coming against Poland’s Gevorg Sahakyan, 4–0.

At the 2019 World Championships, Karen opened his campaign with a technical superiority victory over an opponent from Tajikistan but then lost 6–3 to Egypt’s Mohamed Elsayed.

2020 European Championships — Third Bronze in Three European Appearances

Aslanyan once again demonstrated his quality at the continental championships. This time, the only wrestler able to stop him was Russia’s Nazir Abdullaev, who narrowly defeated the Armenian 4–3.

As a result, Karen won three bronze medals at three consecutive European Championships between 2018 and 2020. However, he had still been unable to reach a final.

The Tokyo Olympics and a Lengthy Career Break

One of the most painful moments of Aslanyan’s career came at the Tokyo Olympic Games, which were held in 2021 after being postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Armenian wrestler successfully advanced through the round of 16 but faced Egypt’s Mohamed Elsayed again in the quarterfinals.

The bout ended 7–7, but Elsayed was awarded the victory on criteria. The defeat ended Aslanyan’s hopes of continuing his pursuit of Olympic gold.

Following the Olympics, Karen disappeared from the biggest international tournaments for an extended period. When he finally returned, he competed in a different weight category — 63 kg, which is not part of the Olympic program.

The move to the new weight class would prove to be a major turning point in his career.

Comeback and First World Championship Medal (2024)

2024 World Championships — Long-Awaited Bronze

After a lengthy absence, Aslanyan returned to the World Championships and immediately achieved a personal milestone, winning his first medal at the tournament.

He recorded three victories, including an impressive performance in the bronze-medal bout, where he defeated Amaev 8–0 by technical superiority.

Karen’s only defeat came in the semifinals, where he lost 6–1 to Azerbaijan’s Nihat Mammadli.

It was Mammadli who denied the Armenian a place in the final. Two years later, fate would bring them together again at the World Championships, this time in the decisive battle for gold.

First European Championship Final and Fresh Disappointments (2025)

2025 European Championships — Historic Silver

In 2025, at the age of 30, Aslanyan reached the European Championship final for the first time in his career.

On his way to the gold-medal bout, he recorded two 8–0 technical superiority victories. However, in the final, he was defeated 7–2 by Türkiye’s Kerem Kamal.

Despite the loss, the silver medal represented his best result at the European Championships.

The 2025 World Championships, however, brought another disappointment. Aslanyan was eliminated in his opening bout after a 7–3 defeat to Russia’s Sergey Emelin. The officiating in that match raised questions.

After a successful return to the world stage, Karen suffered another setback. But the most successful season of his career was still ahead.

European Bronze and Long-Awaited World Gold (2026)

2026 European Championships — Fourth Bronze

At the 2026 European Championships, Aslanyan faced Sergey Emelin once again and suffered another defeat, this time 5–2. The match was also marked by controversial refereeing decisions.

Nevertheless, the Armenian wrestler recovered from the setback and secured two technical superiority victories, 9–0 and 11–0, to claim his fourth European Championship bronze medal.

But the biggest event of the year was the World Championships in Astana.

2026 World Championships — First Career Gold

At the World Championships, the 31-year-old Aslanyan displayed a completely different level of wrestling.

He recorded four technical superiority victories on his way to the final, confidently overcoming each opponent. Particularly impressive was his semifinal performance against Bulgaria’s Edmond Nazaryan, whom he defeated 12–4.

Waiting for him in the final was a familiar opponent — Nihat Mammadli, who had beaten the Armenian in the semifinals of the 2024 World Championships.

The decisive bout began badly for Aslanyan. Mammadli quickly scored four points to take a 4–0 lead. But Aslanyan refused to panic.

Karen responded with a series of effective attacks, reduced the deficit, and then executed a four-point throw before the break to move ahead 7–4.

In the second period, the Armenian wrestler defended intelligently, prevented his opponent from changing the course of the match, and secured an 8–4 victory.

At the age of 31, Karen Aslanyan became a world champion for the first time, avenging one of the most painful defeats of his career.

All Karen Aslanyan’s World and European Championship Medals

Throughout his senior career, Karen Aslanyan has won seven medals at the World and European Championships.

World Championships

• Gold — 2026 (63 kg)

• Bronze — 2024 (63 kg)

European Championships

• Silver — 2025 (63 kg)

• Bronze — 2018 (67 kg)

• Bronze — 2019 (67 kg)

• Bronze — 2020 (67 kg)

• Bronze — 2026 (63 kg)

Nine Years of Fighting for a Dream

Karen Aslanyan’s story demonstrates how perseverance and belief in one’s abilities can lead to success even after years of setbacks.

Back in 2017, he came within one step of a World Championship medal. Three European bronze medals followed, along with a heartbreaking Olympic defeat, a lengthy absence from competition, and a change of weight category.

After returning to the mat, Aslanyan managed not only to regain his previous form but also to reach a new level. In 2024, he won his first World Championship medal. In 2025, he reached his first European Championship final. And in 2026, he finally conquered the world stage.

From fifth place at the 2017 World Championships to gold in 2026. From losing to Mammadli in a semifinal to defeating him in a final. From a lengthy career break to becoming world champion.

It took Karen Aslanyan nine years to complete this journey and write his name into the history of Armenian wrestling.