Armenian Sambo Athletes Win Two Medals on Opening Day of 2026 World Championships in Tashkent

The 2026 World Sambo Championships kicked off on November 6 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Armenia's national team claimed two medals on the opening day of competition, with Boris Shatveryan winning silver and Mayis Nersesyan taking bronze.

The 50th edition of the World Sambo Championships is being held from November 6 to 8, bringing together athletes from 101 countries.

Boris Shatveryan secured Armenia's first medal in the men's 79 kg sport sambo category. On his way to the final, the Armenian athlete recorded four consecutive victories, defeating opponents from Ecuador, Nicaragua, Moldova and Kyrgyzstan.

In the gold medal match, Shatveryan faced Bulgaria's Ivan Kharkov but suffered defeat, finishing the tournament as the world silver medalist.

Armenia's second medal came from Mayis Nersesyan in the men's 64 kg combat sambo category. The Armenian fighter defeated opponents from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan before losing to an athlete from Turkmenistan in the semifinals.

As a result, Nersesyan earned a bronze medal at the World Championships. Turkmenistan's Sanjarbek Avazberdyev claimed the world title in this weight category.

Results of Other Armenian Athletes

Sport Sambo

• 58 kg — Karen Sargsyan: Defeated opponents from Tajikistan and Spain before losing to a Russian athlete in the quarterfinals. The Russian competitor was subsequently defeated by a Georgian athlete. Georgia's Vakhtangi Chidrashvili claimed the world title in this category.

• Women's 50 kg — Anna Ayvazyan: Won her opening bout against a Romanian opponent but lost her next match to an athlete from Turkmenistan. Belarusian Anfisa Kapaeva became the world champion in this category.

Combat Sambo

• 88 kg — Leonid Melikyan: Opened his campaign with a victory over an opponent from Panama but was eliminated in the quarterfinals by a Russian competitor. Russia's Demid Volkov claimed the gold medal in this division.

Medal Standings After Day One

Russia topped the medal standings after the opening day with three gold, one silver and one bronze medal.

Armenia finished the first day with two medals — silver for Boris Shatveryan and bronze for Mayis Nersesyan.

The World Sambo Championships in Tashkent will continue on November 7 and 8, with the remaining medal events scheduled over the next two days.