On April 26, in Tirana (Albania), the 2026 European Freestyle Wrestling Championships came to an end. On the final day of competition, finals were held in five weight categories. The decisive bouts took place in the 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 92 kg, and 125 kg divisions.

Results of the Armenian National Team

At the end of the tournament, the Armenian national team won three bronze medals. The medalists were:

• Manvel Khndzrtsyan (57 kg)
• Arsen Harutyunyan (61 kg)
• Vazgen Tevanyan (65 kg)

A year earlier, the Armenian team had also won three medals (2 silver and 1 bronze). However, in 2026 they improved their overall team performance:

• 73 points and 3rd place (2026)
• 59 points and 5th place (2025)

It is worth noting that one of the team leaders, Arman Andreasyan (70 kg), missed the tournament due to injury.

Overall Tournament Summary

Gold medals at the 2026 European Championships were won by representatives of three countries:

• Russia — 6 gold medals
• Azerbaijan — 3
• Slovakia — 1

Interestingly, a total of nine gold medals were won by representatives of the Russian wrestling school: six competing for Russia, and three more representing other countries (Slovakia and Azerbaijan).

In addition, the gold medal in the 125 kg category was won by Georgian-born Giorgi Meshvildishvili, representing Azerbaijan.

Results by Weight Category

2026 European Freestyle Wrestling Championships

57 kg

1. Islam Bazarganov (Azerbaijan)
2. Musa Mekhtikhanov (Russia)
3. Manvel Khndzrtsyan (Armenia) and Aryan Tyutrin (Belarus)

Final:
Musa Mekhtikhanov (Russia) — Islam Bazarganov (Azerbaijan) 6:8

61 kg

1. Zaur Uguev (Russia)
2. Zelimkhan Abakarov (Albania)
3. Arsen Harutyunyan (Armenia) and Simone Piroddu (Italy)

Final:
Zaur Uguev (Russia) — Zelimkhan Abakarov (Albania) 4:0

65 kg

1. Bashir Magomedov (Russia)
2. Islam Dudaev (Albania)
3. Islam Huseynov (Belarus) and Vazgen Tevanyan (Armenia)

Final:
Islam Dudaev (Albania) — Bashir Magomedov (Russia) 0:10

70 kg

1. David Baev (Russia)
2. Aleksandr Gaidarli (Moldova)
3. Ismail Musukaev (Hungary) and Akaki Kemertelidze (Georgia)

Final:
Aleksandr Gaidarli (Moldova) — David Baev (Russia) 1:2

74 kg

1. Taimuraz Salkazanov (Slovakia)
2. Turan Bayramov (Azerbaijan)
3. Timur Bizhoev (Russia) and Farhad Nurikhorzhestan (UWW)

Final:
Taimuraz Salkazanov (Slovakia) — Turan Bayramov (Azerbaijan) 4:2

79 kg

1. Ahmed Usmanov (Russia)
2. Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (Belarus)
3. Jabrayil Gadjiev (Azerbaijan) and Zelimkhan Khadjiev (France)

Final:
Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (Belarus) — Ahmed Usmanov (Russia) 2:4

86 kg

1. Ibragim Kadiev (Russia)
2. Arseniy Dzhioev (Azerbaijan)
3. Evgeny Mikhalchan (Moldova) and Vladimeri Gamkrelidze (Georgia)

Final:
Ibragim Kadiev (Russia) — Arseniy Dzhioev (Azerbaijan) 2:1

92 kg

1. Ali Tsokaev (Azerbaijan)
2. Ahmed Bataev (Bulgaria)
3. Amanula Gadzhimagomedov (Russia) and Miriani Maisuradze (Georgia)

Final:
Ali Tsokaev (Azerbaijan) — Ahmed Bataev (Bulgaria) 5:3

97 kg

1. Abdulrashid Sadulaev (Russia)
2. Batyrbek Tsakulov (Slovakia)
3. Ahmed Magomaev (Bulgaria) and Givi Matcharashvili (Georgia)

Final:
Abdulrashid Sadulaev (Russia) — Batyrbek Tsakulov (Slovakia) 14:3

125 kg

1. Giorgi Meshvildishvili (Azerbaijan)
2. Vladislav Baitsaev (Hungary)
3. Hakan Buyukcingil (Turkey) and Moshen Siyar (Germany)

Final:
Giorgi Meshvildishvili (Azerbaijan) — Vladislav Baitsaev (Hungary) 6:0

Team Standings

• Russia — 206 (outside official team ranking)
• Azerbaijan — 152
• Georgia — 94
• Armenia — 73
• Hungary — 61
• Moldova — 61
• Turkey — 55