Three Armenian Wrestlers Started at the U20 World Championships in Freestyle Wrestling

On August 17, the 2025 U20 World Wrestling Championships in freestyle started in Samokov, Bulgaria. On the first day, three representatives of the Armenian national team stepped on the mat, but none of them managed to advance past the opening bouts.

Vladimir Azaryan (74 kg) and Henrik Haykyan (125 kg) still retain chances to compete in the repechage, while Artavazd Harutyunyan (70 kg) was eliminated from the medal race.

Azaryan (74 kg) lost 4:5 to Ukrainian Bohdan Oleinyk. His opponent went on to claim another victory and continues in the tournament. If Oleinyk reaches the final, the Armenian wrestler will have a chance to fight for bronze through the repechage.

Haykyan (125 kg) put up a solid performance against European champion Inal Gagloev from Russia but lost 3:7. Since Gagloev is considered the tournament’s main favorite, should he reach the final, Haykyan will also have the opportunity to continue the fight for a medal.

Artavazd Harutyunyan (70 kg) lost his first bout 0:5 to Japan’s Kairi Ito. However, Ito was then defeated in the second round by a Russian wrestler, which deprived Harutyunyan of a chance to enter the repechage.

On August 18, four more Armenian wrestlers will compete:

• Arman Harutyunyan (57 kg)

• Arman Musikian (65 kg)

• Narek Nikoghosyan (79 kg)

• Narek Ikilikyan (92 kg)

The leaders of Team Armenia — European champion Sargis Begoyan (61 kg) and European bronze medalist Razmik Yepremyan (86 kg) — will begin their campaign on August 19.