Armenia’s Karen Aslanyan Becomes World Champion After Defeating Azerbaijani Wrestler

Armenia’s Karen Aslanyan has been crowned world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling after defeating Azerbaijan’s Nihat Mammadli 8-4 in the 63-kilogram final in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Aslanyan secured Armenia’s first medal at the World Championships, completing an impressive run in which he won all five of his matches.

The Armenian wrestler reached the final without allowing any of his first four opponents to complete a full match. He defeated Moldova’s Corneliu Rusu 10-0, Kyrgyzstan’s Aftandil Talaibek Uulu 8-0 and Uzbekistan’s Ozodbek Khalimboev 9-0.

His toughest test before the final came against Bulgaria’s Edmond Nazaryan, whom he beat 12-4 in the semifinals.

Facing Mammadli in the gold medal match, Aslanyan claimed an 8-4 victory to become world champion and give Armenia its first gold of the tournament.

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