Armenia Wins First Medal at U17 Wrestling World Championships in Baku, Advances to Gold Medal Final

Armenia opened its medal account at the 2026 U17 Greco-Roman Wrestling World Championships in Baku on Tuesday after Ararat Avetisyan claimed bronze, while teammate Janes Nazaryan advanced to the final and will wrestle for gold on Wednesday.

Competing in the 48-kilogram division, Avetisyan delivered one of Armenia's strongest performances of the day, defeating Hungary's Benedek Tombor 8-0 in the bronze medal match. The victory earned Armenia its first podium finish of the championships.

The Armenian team now has a chance to add a world title. Nazaryan reached the final of the 71 kg weight class after a strong run through the bracket and will face Russia's Aslan Dzuev in the gold medal bout on July 29.

Armenia's medal hopes remain alive in two other weight classes as well. Vazgen Vardanyan and Gevorg Harutyunyan both advanced through the repechage rounds and will continue competing for bronze medals on Wednesday.

Not every result went Armenia's way, but several wrestlers finished just outside the medals. Vazgen Mnatsakanyan placed fifth in the 65 kg division after a narrow 3-2 loss to Hungary's Imre Juhasz in the bronze medal match. Vahe Hoveyan finished seventh at 80 kg, Khachik Khachatryan placed 10th at 110 kg, and Gegham Yeghiazaryan finished 12th at 55 kg.

After the first day of medal matches, Russia leads the team standings with two gold medals and one bronze. Host nation Azerbaijan is second with one silver and two bronze medals, while Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Iran have each captured one gold medal.

Competition resumes Wednesday with Armenia aiming to build on its opening success. Nazaryan will attempt to deliver the country's first gold medal of the tournament, while Vardanyan and Harutyunyan remain in contention to expand Armenia's medal haul.

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