European Wrestling Championships 2026 (Freestyle): First Finalists Determined

On April 24, the 2026 European Freestyle Wrestling Championships kicked off in the capital of Albania, Tirana. On the first day of competition, the finalists were determined in five weight categories: 57 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg, and 97 kg.

Wrestlers from Russia will compete in all five finals. Additionally, one finalist each represents Albania, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Belarus, and Slovakia.

Three wrestlers from the Armenian national team will compete for bronze medals tomorrow.

Results of Day 1 Semifinals

57 kg:

• Musa Mekhtikhanov (Russia) — Manvel Khndzrtsyan (Armenia) 5:0
• Roberti Dingashvili (Georgia) — Islam Bazarganov (Azerbaijan) 1:11

65 kg:

• Islam Dudaev (Albania) — Islam Huseynov (Belarus) 4:0
• Bashir Magomedov (Russia) — Vazgen Tevanyan (Armenia) 3:3 +/-

A refereeing scandal at the 2026 European Championships: Tevanyan was deprived of victory over Magomedov.

70 kg:

• Ismail Musukaev (Hungary) — Alexandr Gaidarli (Moldova) 0:11
• David Baev (Russia) — Oleksii Boruta (Ukraine) 9:2

79 kg:

• Jabrayil Gadzhiyev (Azerbaijan) — Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (Belarus) 1:5
• Akhmed Usmanov (Russia) — Zelimkhan Khadjiev (France) 3:0

97 kg:

• Akhmed Magamaev (Bulgaria) — Abdulrashid Sadulaev (Russia) 2:12
• Batyrbek Tsakulov (Slovakia) — Givi Matcharashvili (Georgia) 12:1

Final Matchups (April 25, starting at 19:00 MSK)

• 57 kg: Musa Mekhtikhanov (Russia) — Islam Bazarganov (Azerbaijan)
• 65 kg: Islam Dudaev (Albania) — Bashir Magomedov (Russia)
• 70 kg: Alexandr Gaidarli (Moldova) — David Baev (Russia)
• 79 kg: Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (Belarus) — Akhmed Usmanov (Russia)
• 97 kg: Abdulrashid Sadulaev (Russia) — Batyrbek Tsakulov (Slovakia)

On April 25, the remaining five weight categories will also begin: 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 92 kg, and 125 kg.

Representing Armenia will be:

• Arsen Harutyunyan (61 kg)
• Narek Harutyunyan (74 kg)
• Musheg Mkrtchyan (92 kg)
• Khachatur Khachatryan (125 kg)