Yurik Hoveyan, a young Armenian wrestler, finished fifth in the 67 kg Greco-Roman category at the 2026 U23 World Championships in Las Vegas, after a competitive bronze medal match against Iran’s Mohammad Kamali.
Yurik Hoveyan, a promising young wrestler from Armenia, concluded his campaign at the 2026 U23 World Championships held in Las Vegas by securing a fifth-place finish in the 67 kg Greco-Roman category. In a tightly contested bronze medal match, Hoveyan faced Iran’s Mohammad Kamali, ultimately falling short in his quest for a medal.
The tournament began positively for Hoveyan, who showcased his skills with a narrow 3-2 victory against China’s Muqie Yang. He followed this with a solid 6-3 win over American Otto Black, advancing into the quarterfinals where he encountered Russia’s Erzu Zakriev. Despite a valiant effort, Hoveyan lost this match, which pushed him into the repechage round.
Demonstrating resilience, Hoveyan bounced back in the repechage by defeating Kyrgyzstan’s Baiaman Karimov, which allowed him another opportunity to compete for a bronze medal. Unfortunately, he finished the tournament with three wins out of five matches, just missing out on a place on the podium.
Hoveyan’s performance at this championship reflects his potential in the sport, and he will surely be a wrestler to watch in future competitions as he continues to develop his skills and pursue success on the international stage.