“Three Medals and Character”: Words of Armen Babalaryan and the Wrestlers after the 2025 Greco-Roman Wrestling World Championship

The Armenian Greco-Roman wrestling team delivered its best World Championship performance in over a decade, winning three medals and placing fifth overall at the 2025 World Championships in Zagreb. It marks Armenia’s strongest showing since 2013.

A Historic Night for Amoyan

Malkhas Amoyan cemented his place among the world’s elite, capturing his second world title. In the 77kg final, he dominated reigning Olympic champion Nao Kusaka of Japan with a commanding 10–1 victory — avenging his Olympic defeat in style.

“I came to Zagreb only for gold,” Amoyan said after his triumph. “I was fully prepared, both physically and mentally. After the Olympics, I felt I couldn’t beat Kusaka, but this time I was stronger, and I never doubted the result for a second. This was my day.”

Bronze with Grit

Slavik Galstyan (67kg) showed true resilience in his bronze medal match. Trailing 0–5 early, he roared back to defeat his opponent 15–5, securing his second World Championship medal.

“This bronze is very important to me,” Galstyan admitted. “Before, I was always just short of the podium. Of course, I wanted more, but right now I’m happy. Next year, I’ll aim for gold.”

Galstyan also reflected on the mental challenges he faced after a controversial refereeing decision cost him victory at the Tokyo Olympics: “That injustice hit me hard, physically and mentally. I even had to work with a psychologist. But I came back stronger, and this medal proves it.”

Breakthrough for Poghosyan

At 60kg, Hrachya Poghosyan earned his first World Championship medal. After battling through the repechage, he edged Serbian representative Georgy Tibilov 1–1 on criteria in the bronze medal match.

Coach Babalaryan: “Three Medals and Fifth Place Is a Serious Result”

Head coach Armen Babalaryan praised his wrestlers’ performances, while also noting near-misses that could have pushed Armenia even higher in the standings.

“Malkhas was brilliant, Slavik showed incredible character, and Hrachya delivered when it mattered most,” Babalaryan said. “Overall, we were just two points behind Georgia for fourth place. Even the podium was realistic, but right now Iran is on another level. Still, three medals and fifth place at this level is a serious result. For comparison: Turkey, with 80 million people, managed only one medal.”

He also highlighted the promise of younger wrestlers:

• Vigen Nazaryan (87kg) beat the U23 world champion before bowing out to a Kazakh.

• 18-year-old Gor Khachatryan (72kg) finished seventh after two strong wins, making a bold statement for the future.

• Razmik Kurdyan (130kg) defeated an Azerbaijani before narrowly losing to a Belarusian, showing he can already compete with Armenia’s heavyweight star Davit Ovasapyan.

Aleksanyan’s Setback

Olympic champion and national icon Artur Aleksanyan (97kg) had a rare slip-up, losing to an Azerbaijani opponent after his grip slipped during a gut wrench, leading to a pin.

“Age has nothing to do with it,” Babalaryan stressed. “Arthur was in excellent shape and fully recovered from injuries. This was just one unfortunate episode in a brilliant career. Since 2009 he has won medals for Armenia every year — 16 years straight. Defeats happen even to the greatest. I’m certain he will continue his career.”

Looking Ahead

The team now turns its focus to the U23 World Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia, set for October 20–27. “We will send a very strong lineup,” Babalaryan confirmed. “Financial issues have been resolved.”