2026 U17 World Championships

Labazanov Leads Russia to Two Golds at U17 World Championships

By Vinay Siwach

BAKU, Azerbaijan (July 28) -- Shamil LABAZANOV (RUS) shocked Ibrahim NASIBOV (UKR) and the Ukrainian could never recover from that.

The two clashed in the 65kg final of the U17 World Championships final in Baku on Tuesday. Nasibov had looked in top form coming into the final and Labazanov had scored a 29-seocnd win in the semifinal using a deadly front headlock.

Nasibov must have watched Labazanov's semifinal and thought that the front headlock will come. Yet, he was not able to stop it.

When Labazanov was awarded the par terre in the first period, he did not go for the traditional gut-wrench as Nasibov was prepared to defend it. But he went for the front headlock which Nasibov failed to defend.

Labazanov scored the first turn as Nasibov was still trying to stable himself to defend. But then he did it again with brute force and then again to lead 7-0. Nasibov was left playing catch from there on.

Nasibov managed to cut the lead to 7-2 before the break and despite the par terre in the second period, it was never enough as Labazanov won 7-5 to capture the 65kg title.

Wrestling Soltan IUSUPOV (RUS)Soltan IUSUPOV (RUS) with the world champion belt at the podium. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

This was the second gold medal for Russia on Tuesday, coming after Soltan IUSUPOV's (RUS) dominant win at 48kg. In the first final of the night, Iusupov and Ali ALMAS (KAZ) clashed and when the Kazakhstan wrestler got the par terre in the first period, it seemed that it will an even contest.

However, Iusupov did not think so. He first defended that position and then scored a takedown and turn in the first period to lead 4-1 at the break. He was not done yet as he began the second period also with a takedown, and then used a slideby to make it 8-1. He turned Almas in the same sequence to earn a 10-1 win. Kazakhstan challenged the last call and it was changed to one takedown and scored returned to 8-1.

Almas managed to bring him down in the final 20 seconds to cut the lead to 8-3 but that was all he managed despite getting the only par terer of the final.

Kazakhstan's moment of glory came at 55kg when Diyar AMANALI (KAZ) won the gold medal at 55kg after beating Keve KOVACS (HUN), 1-1 in the final. The two traded passivity but it was the Kazakhstan wrestler who kept the criteria as he got the par terre first.

Wrestling Alireza REZAEI (IRI)Alireza REZAEI (IRI) loads to launch Isfahan HASANOV (AZE) for a throw during the 80kg final in Baku. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Rezaei Gives Iran Gold

Iran's campaign got a breather after Alireza REZAEI (IRI) grabbed the 80kg gold medal by upsetting Isfahan HASANOV (AZE), 2-1, in the final and the home crowd. In the low scoring final, Rezaei was put in par terre first but he defended the position to keep Hasanov's lead to 1-0.

In the second period, Rezaei got his chance from par terre and while he could not perform a big move, he lifted and threw Hasanov out of bounds for a step out point to lead 2-1. This left Hasanov needing at least one point to win but the Iranian evaded any such situation to claim gold, the first medal for Iran in Baku.

Wrestling Tymofii Prykhodko (UKR)Tymofii PRYKHODKO (UKR) tries to pin Bruno PALLONE (USA) during the 110kg final at the U17 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Prykhodko's Golden Throws

Ukraine also went home with a gold medal as Tymofii PRYKHODKO (UKR) clinched the 110kg title after a big-throwing show in the final against Bruno PALLONE (USA). Both wrestler went all out and complete four-point throws with ease. However, Prykhodko never gave up the lead and eventually won 14-5.

Prykhodko began with an arm-spin which resulted in a takedown for two points. He then completed his first big throw for four points and had Pallone in danger for fall but the U.S. wrestler managed to escape the position. A stepout before the break gave Pallone a point which cut the lead to 6-1.

Instead of playing the waiting game, Pallone hit a four-pointer at the start of the second period and came within one point distance, 6-5, of Prykhodko. At one point, both wrestlers bear-hugged each other but it was the Ukrainian who risked a headlock and once again threw Pallone for four points.

Pallone had no choice but go for the big throw himself as Prykhodko kept the pressure. But when he did, it was in a bad position and he tamely fell on his own back, giving Prykhodko four points, the win and the gold medal.

Wrestling Bunyod HASANOV (UZB)Bunyod HASANOV (UZB) dominated his way to the 51kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Hasanov, Nazaryan Aim Repeat; Barotov Chases History

Two returning world champions, Bunyod HASANOV (UZB) and Janes NAZARYAN (ARM), will look to repeat as gold medalists after reach the 51kg and 71kg finals respectively on Tuesday.

Hasanov will aim to become the first wrestler from Uzbekistan two win the U17 world gold twice when he takes on returning bronze medalist from 45kg, Abdurrahman HUSEYNLI (AZE), in the 51kg gold-medal bout.

In the semifinal, Hasanov wrestled Vadim TARELUNGA (MDA) and completed a 10-0 victory inside the first period. He unleashed a strong gut-wrench from par terre for two turns and a 5-0 lead. 

Tarelunga tried a headlock throw but Hasanov blocked him to get two points and then turned the Moldova wrestler just in time to win but Moldova challenged the call as it may have been risk from Tarelunga but it was confirmed as takedown. The lost challenged added one more point to Hasanov's score.

Huseynli also went into a commanding 7-2 lead from par terre against Saba ABASHIDZE (GEO) but he had to defended as well when the Georgian got the par terre in the second. From 7-3, Huseynli got two stepouts for a 9-3 win.

Wrestling Janes NAZARYAN (ARM)Janes NAZARYAN (ARM), red, reached the 71kg final and will aim for his second world gold. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Nazaryan, who won gold last year at 65kg, will face U17 European champion at 65kg Aslan DZUEV (RUS) in the 71kg final after both posted commanding wins in the semifinals.

The Armenian blanked Kristiyan KRASTEV (BUL), 8-0, while Dzuev defeated Esmaeil ZAHERDOUST (IRI), 10-1, to reach the gold medal bouts.

At 45kg, U17 European champion Ali JAVADLI (AZE) will look to give the home country its first gold of the tournament when he takes on Rylen WAX (USA) for the gold medal.

In a bizarre turn of events, Javadli's opponent in the semifinals, Armin ESMAEILI (IRI) did not show up for the mat and gave a forfeit.

Wax controlled his semifinal against Afruzbek IBRAGIMOV (UZB) and completed a 2-1, win. When Ibragimov got the par terre, he lifted Wax but ended up giving up a reversal which gave Wax a 1-1 criteria lead. Wax got the par terre in second period for the 2-1 lead and the win.

Wrestling Makhdi BAROTOV (TJK)Makhdi BAROTOV (TJK) has the chance to become Tajikistan's first-ever world champion in Greco-Roman. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

More history in on the line on Tuesday as Makhdi BAROTOV (TJK) will try to become Tajikistan's first-ever Greco-Roman world champion at any level after he reached the 60kg final. He defeated Alexandru LUNGU (ROU), 2-1 in the semfinals.

But the task will not be easy as he faces U17 Asian champion Amirreza TAHMASBPOUR (IRI) who staged a stunning comeback for a close 5-4 victory over Elmir CHARKAZOV (AZE).

Charkazov got the first par terre of the match but did not score any points but he managed a pushout point before the break to lead 2-0. Tahmasbpour tried a duckunder in the second period which Charkazov countered with a takedown to double his lead to 4-0.

Tahmasbpour up the pace of the bout and Charkazov tried a blank throw, only to land on his own back and give up two. He tried another desperate throw but the Iranian did not land in danger, countering with a takedown to take a 4-4 criteria lead.

Azerbaijan challenged the decision, asking for two points for the throw but lost it which added one more point to Tahmasbpour's score.

At 92kg, U17 European champion Tomasz MITAL (POL) is one step away from adding the world gold medal. He pinned Yusuf AKSU (TUR) in the semifinal to reach the final where he will take on Hlib YEVSIEIEV (UKR) who had no trouble beating Mirjalol SHOVKATOV (UZB), 8-0.

Wrestling Photos

RESULTS

48kg
GOLD: Soltan IUSUPOV (RUS) df. Ali ALMAS (KAZ), 8-3

BRONZE: Ararat AVETISYAN (ARM) df. Benedek TOMBOR (HUN), 8-0
BRONZE: Omar SALMANOV (AZE) df. Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), 7-1

55kg
GOLD: Diyar AMANALI (KAZ) df. Keve KOVACS (HUN), 1-1

BRONZE: Edem PAIZIEV (RUS) df. Danimir YORDANOV (BUL), 8-0
BRONZE: Vlad TRIP (ROU) df. Tsimafei SEMIANENKA (BLR), 6-2

65kg
GOLD: Shamil LABAZANOV (RUS) df. Ibrahim NASIBOV (UKR), 7-5

BRONZE: Imre JUHASZ (HUN) df. Vazgen MNATSAKANYAN (ARM), 3-2
BRONZE: Orkhan HABIBLI (AZE) df. Kunal DAGAR (IND), 7-5

80kg
GOLD: Alireza REZAEI (IRI) df. Isfahan HASANOV (AZE), 2-1

BRONZE: Abdulaziz KHOLMIRZAEV (UZB) df. Ivan IVANOV (USA), 12-4
BRONZE: Benediktas BUBELEVICIUS (LTU) df. Abdulhalik BAL (TUR), 5-2

110kg
GOLD: Tymofii PRYKHODKO (UKR) df. Bruno PALLONE (USA), 14-5

BRONZE: Andrej SIMIC (SRB) df. Yahor SAVICH (BLR), 5-1
BRONZE: Aliakbar AKOO (IRI) df. Fedor SUKHAREV (RUS), 1-1

Semifinals

45kg
SF 1: Rylen WAX (USA) df. Afruzbek IBRAGIMOV (UZB), 2-1
SF 2: Ali JAVADLI (AZE) df. Armin ESMAEILI (IRI), via forfeit

51kg
SF 1: Bunyod HASANOV (UZB) df. Vadim TARELUNGA (MDA), 10-0
SF 2: Abdurrahman HUSEYNLI (AZE) df. Saba ABASHIDZE (GEO), 9-3

60kg
SF 1: Makhdi BAROTOV (TJK) df. Alexandru LUNGU (ROU), 2-1
SF 2: Amirreza TAHMASBPOUR (IRI) df. Elmir CHARKAZOV (AZE), 5-4

71kg
SF 1: Janes NAZARYAN (ARM) df. Kristiyan KRASTEV (BUL), 8-0
SF 2: Aslan DZUEV (RUS) df. Esmaeil ZAHERDOUST (IRI), 10-1

92kg
SF 1: Tomasz MITAL (POL) df. Yusuf AKSU (TUR), via fall (7-3)
SF 2: Hlib YEVSIEIEV (UKR) df. Mirjalol SHOVKATOV (UZB), 8-0

#WrestleTirana

Salkazanov Reclaims 74kg Gold for Fifth European Title

By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (April 26) -- A smile beamed across Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV's (SVK) face as he stood atop the medal podium, receiving the gold medal after winning the 74kg title at the European Championships in Tirana, Albania.

Salkazanov won his fifth European title, regaining the crown after losing it to Chermen VALIEV (ALB) last year. Valiev, who is recovering from a knee surgery, was in the stands at the Feti Borova Olympic Park Arena as the Slovak wrestler returned to the top.

"It’s very satisfying to see that my hard work has paid off," Salkazanov said. "I’m particularly pleased today, because it’s been over two years since my country’s national anthem was played in my honor. So I’m glad that it worked out. That’s exactly why I was so happy on the podium."

UWW Plus

Salkazanov had a four-year golden run winning titles in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 before losing to Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) last year. Sidakov would later lose to Valiev in the 74kg final.

Since neither of Sidakov or Valiev were entered, Salkazanov faced Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) in the final and in typical Salkazanov fashion bullied Bayramov with his defense. However, it was Bayramov who was put on the activity clock in the first period. Salkazanov went 1-0 up at the break.

In the second period, he scored two stepouts to extend his lead to 3-0 before Bayramov pushed the pace of the bout as he needed at least three points for a win. Bayramov's attack paid off in the final 10 seconds of the match when he scored a takedown to make it 3-2 but Salkazanov showed presence of mind and moved close to the edge of the mat to not give up any more points.

As time ran out, Bayramov thought he managed to score a point for Salkazanov's hand touching outside the zone. As it was not scored, he challenged only to see it lost and adding one more point to Salkazanov's score, making him a 4-2 winner.

Despite being a four-time champion before, Salkazanov said he was more confident this year and had not done anything to win the gold medal.

"I can’t say I’ve worked on anything in particular," he said. "The main thing is that I’ve gained more confidence over time, and perhaps a bit more experience."

Azerbaijan suffered another heartbreak on Sunday as world bronze medalist Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) dropped a close 86kg final to Ibragim KADIEV (UWW). The two did not score any action points and exchanged activity clock points.

Kadiev got the one point in the second period to hold a 1-1 criteria lead which he defended till the end. Dzhioev tried scoring a takedown in the final 10 seconds and almost got it but Kadiev was firm in his defense. Azerbaijan challenged asking for a point but Dzhioev neither had control over Kadiev nor he pushed him out.

The lost challenge added one point to Kadiev's score to give him a 2-1 win, making him the European champion at 86kg in his first attempt.

Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE)Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) defended his 125kg title in Tirana. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Azerbaijan Wins Team Title

Despite the two losses in Sunday's finals, Azerbaijan won the team title as it did in Greco-Roman on Wednesday. With three golds, a silver, one bronze and all but one wrestlers contributing to team points, Azerbaijan won the team title with 152 points. Georgia finished second with 94 points and Armenia was third with 73 points.

Azerbaijan also crowned two European champions on the final day of the European Championships as defending champion Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) retained his 125kg title while Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) won the 92kg gold medal.

Meshvildishvili, who had a close final last year, did not let Vladislav BAJCAJEV (HUN) challenge him this year. Bajcajev was put on the activity clock twice in the match and Meshvildishvili scored three go-behind takedowns to win the final 8-0.

Ali TCOKAEV (AZE)Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) celebrates after beating Ahmed BATAEV (BUL) in the 92kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Tcokaev's gold medal at 92kg came at the expense of Ahmed BATAEV (BUL) after the two gave no space to each other. Bataev got on board first with a stepout despite the move being initiated by Tcokaev. However, the Bulgaria wrestler was put on the activity clock and Tcokaev scored a stepout before the clock expired, which gave him a 2-1 lead over Bataev.

Using the underhook, Tcokaev scored another stepout to start the second period, extending his lead to 3-1. His third stepout made it 4-1 despite Bataev's resistance. Just when it looked like that Tcokaev will have no trouble till the clock expires, Bataev managed to score a takedown in the final 15 seconds to cut the lead to 4-3.

However, Bataev could not find the match-winning point and his desperate challenge was lost as well, giving a 5-3 win to Tcokaev.

At 61kg, Zavur UGUEV (UWW) defended his 61kg gold medal with rather ease and became a two-time European champion. He defeated former world champion and home-favorite Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 4-0, in the final.

Photo

RESULTS

61kg
GOLD: Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 4-0

BRONZE: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Dzmitry SHAMELA (UWW), 7-3
BRONZE: Simone PIRODDU (ITA) df. Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE), via fall (11-8)

74kg
GOLD: Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) df. Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE), 4-2

BRONZE: Timur BIZHOEV (UWW) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 2-1
BRONZE: Farhad NOURIKHORJESTAN (UWW) df. Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO), 10-8

86kg
GOLD: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) df. Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE), 2-1

BRONZE: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) df. Osman GOCEN (TUR), 8-3
BRONZE: Eugeniu MIHALCEAN (MDA) df. Ivars SAMUSONOKS (LAT), 7-2

92kg
GOLD: Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) df. Ahmed BATAEV (BUL), 5-3

BRONZE: Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW) df. Fatih ALTUNBAS (TUR), 7-4
BRONZE: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) df. Samuel SCHERRER (SUI), 4-0

125kg
GOLD: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) df. Vladislav BAJCAJEV (HUN), 8-0

BRONZE: Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR) df. Khachatur KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 6-2
BRONZE: Mohsen SIYAR (GER) df. Azamat KHOSONOV (GRE), 2-1