Onik Martirosyan Reaches Semifinals of IMMAF Junior World Championships

Armenia's Onik Martirosyan has advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 IMMAF World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. Competing in the junior U20 61.2 kg division, the Armenian fighter has secured three consecutive victories and is now one win away from reaching the final.

Martirosyan defeated three opponents on his way to the semifinals. In his opening bout, he earned a decision victory over a Ukrainian fighter before stopping his Swiss opponent by technical knockout (TKO) in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals, the Armenian defeated a representative of Tajikistan by decision.

On November 5, Martirosyan will face Russia's Ali Khizriev in the semifinals. The winner will advance to the junior final, scheduled for November 6.

Martirosyan is the only Armenian representative still competing at the tournament.

Armenia's Results at the 2026 IMMAF World Championships

Armenia is represented by five athletes at the IMMAF World Championships: three in the senior divisions and two in the junior U20 categories.

Senior divisions

• 56.7 kg — Artur Asoyan: Lost his opening bout to an opponent from Angola and was eliminated.

• 74.8 kg — Mkrtich Vardanyan: Secured two victories, defeating an Indian opponent by submission (choke) and a Norwegian fighter by decision. He was eliminated in the quarterfinals after losing to a representative of Tajikistan by decision.

• 74.8 kg — Vahan Matevosyan: Lost his opening fight to a German opponent.

Junior U20 divisions

• 61.2 kg — Onik Martirosyan: Defeated opponents from Ukraine, Switzerland and Tajikistan to reach the semifinals. His next opponent is Ali Khizriev of Russia.

• 70.3 kg — Arayik Sahakyan: Opened the tournament with a decision victory over an Italian opponent but lost to a fighter from Tajikistan by decision in the quarterfinals.

Overall, three of Armenia's five representatives reached at least the quarterfinals, while Martirosyan remains in contention for the world title.

The 2026 IMMAF World Championships are taking place in Tbilisi from November 2 to 7. The semifinals are scheduled for November 5, followed by the junior finals on November 6 and the senior championship finals on November 7.