Vazgen Tevanyan Claims Two Victories to Reach Quarterfinals at 2026 World Wrestling Championships

The 2026 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships kicked off on October 29 in Astana, Kazakhstan. On the opening day of competition, Armenia's Vazgen Tevanyan successfully advanced through two rounds in the men's 65 kg weight category to reach the quarterfinals.

In his opening bout, the 2023 European champion and World Championships bronze medalist faced Mongolian wrestler Zeneemeder Byambasuren. The Armenian delivered a convincing performance, securing a 9-3 victory.

In the round of 16, Tevanyan faced Kazakhstan's Ossimzhan Dastanbek, who was competing in front of a home crowd. The match proved considerably tighter and more tactical, with few points scored. Nevertheless, the Armenian wrestler managed to secure a narrow 2-1 victory, earning his place among the final eight competitors at the World Championships.

Tevanyan to Face Rahman Amouzad Khalili in Quarterfinals

The 26-year-old Armenian wrestler's next opponent will be one of the tournament's leading favorites, Iran's Rahman Amouzad Khalili.

The Iranian currently holds the top position in the world rankings in the 65 kg category. He is a two-time world champion and won the silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The upcoming quarterfinal will be a major challenge for Tevanyan. A victory over the highly decorated Iranian would send the Armenian representative into the semifinals and bring him closer to claiming the second World Championships medal of his career.

Vazgen Tevanyan's results at the 2026 World Championships:

• Round of 32: Vazgen Tevanyan vs. Zeneemeder Byambasuren (Mongolia) — 9-3.

• Round of 16: Vazgen Tevanyan vs. Ossimzhan Dastanbek (Kazakhstan) — 2-1.

• Quarterfinal: Vazgen Tevanyan vs. Rahman Amouzad Khalili (Iran) — upcoming.

Tevanyan was the only Armenian wrestler competing on the opening day of the freestyle wrestling competition in Astana.