Three Armenian Wrestlers Still in Contention for Bronze at 2026 World Championships as Malkhas Amoyan Is Eliminated

On October 24, the semifinalists in the 55 kg, 60 kg, 77 kg and 82 kg weight categories were determined at the 2026 World Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. Following the daytime session, three Armenian wrestlers remain in contention for bronze medals, while reigning world champion Malkhas Amoyan has officially been eliminated from the tournament.

Norayr Akhoyan (55 kg), Suren Aghajanyan (60 kg) and Samvel Grigoryan (82 kg) could still return to competition through the repechage rounds. To qualify, the opponents who defeated them earlier in the tournament must reach the World Championship finals.

Which Armenian Wrestlers Still Have a Chance to Win Bronze?

Norayr Akhoyan (55 kg) suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat to reigning world champion Vakhtang Lolua of Georgia in the Round of 16. The Georgian wrestler successfully advanced through the quarterfinals and will now face decorated Azerbaijani wrestler Eldaniz Azizli in the semifinals.

If Lolua wins and reaches the final, Akhoyan will earn a place in the repechage rounds.

Suren Aghajanyan (60 kg) also remains hopeful of winning a medal. The Armenian began his World Championship debut with a 9-6 victory over Georgia's Dimitri Khachidze but was then defeated by Japan's Koto Gomi via technical superiority, 12-4.

Gomi has advanced to the semifinals, where he will face Kazakhstan's Aidos Sultangali. A victory for the Japanese wrestler would open the door for Aghajanyan to enter the repechage.

Samvel Grigoryan (82 kg), who lost his opening bout 1-2 to Russia's Gamzat Gadzhiev, is also awaiting the outcome of the semifinals.

Gadzhiev has reached the final four and will face Iran's Gholamreza Farokhisenjani. If the Russian wrestler wins, Grigoryan will be able to return to the mat and continue his pursuit of a bronze medal.

Malkhas Amoyan Officially Eliminated from the 2026 World Championships

Unfortunately, Armenia's leading gold medal hope, Malkhas Amoyan (77 kg), has lost even his mathematical chance of winning bronze.

The two-time world champion suffered a 2-4 defeat to Kazakhstan's Merey Maulitkanov in the Round of 16. The Kazakh wrestler failed to reach the semifinals, meaning he can no longer qualify for the final and secure Amoyan a place in the repechage rounds.

As a result, the 27-year-old Armenian wrestler's campaign in Astana has ended after just two bouts — a victory over Russia's Sergey Kutuzov (1-1 on criteria), followed by defeat to Maulitkanov.

All Semifinal Matchups at the 2026 World Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships on October 24

55 kg

• Vakhtang Lolua (Georgia) vs. Eldaniz Azizli (Azerbaijan).

• Payam Ahmadi Balootaki (Iran) vs. Ishkhar Kurbayev (Kazakhstan).

60 kg

• Alisher Ganiyev (Uzbekistan) vs. Ali Ahmadi Vafa (Iran).

• Aidos Sultangali (Kazakhstan) vs. Koto Gomi (Japan).

77 kg

• Ali Oskou (Iran) vs. Sanan Suleymanov (Azerbaijan).

• Alexandrin Gutu (Moldova) vs. Stoyan Kubatov (Bulgaria).

82 kg

• Gamzat Gadzhiev (Russia) vs. Gholamreza Farokhisenjani (Iran).

• Yuksel Saricicek (Türkiye) vs. Akzhol Makhmudov (Kyrgyzstan).

The semifinal bouts will take place today, October 24, starting at 6:00 PM Yerevan time.

The repechage rounds in all four weight categories will be held on October 25. The world champions and bronze medalists will also be determined on the same day.