Armenia’s U17 Greco-Roman wrestling team has made headlines by matching Russia’s impressive medal tally at the 2026 U17 European Wrestling Championships, achieving remarkable success despite representing a nation with only 1/48th of Russia’s population.
At the 2026 U17 European Wrestling Championships held in Bulgaria, Armenia’s teenage wrestlers demonstrated their prowess by achieving the highest total of medals in the Greco-Roman category, equal to that of powerhouse Russia. This achievement is especially noteworthy given Armenia’s significantly smaller population, highlighting the country’s growing prominence in the sport.
The Armenian team concluded the Greco-Roman segment of the championships with a total of seven medals, including two gold, two silver, and three bronze. The standout performers included Janes Nazaryan and Vahe Hoveyan, both of whom secured gold medals in their respective weight classes of 71 kg and 80 kg. Silver medals were won by Zaven Mezhlumyan and Aleksan Shaljyan, competing in the 65 kg and 92 kg categories. Additionally, three bronze medals were claimed by Vazgen Vardanyan (45 kg), Ararat Avetisyan (48 kg), and Gegham Yeghiazaryan (55 kg).
As the championships progress, the focus now shifts to the freestyle portion of the competition, where Armenia hopes to continue its successful run and further showcase its wrestling talent on the European stage.