Azerbaijani Greco-Roman wrestlers have finished the first day of
the 2026 European Championships in Tirana, Albania, with two bronze
medals, AzerNEWS reports.
Islam Abbasov (87 kilograms) finally defeated his opponent in
the match for third place.
Earlier, Rashad Mammadov (55 kilograms) won the bronze
medal.
Note that Azerbaijan is represented by 25 wrestlers at the
tournament.
More than 400 wrestlers are competing at the 2026 European
Wrestling Championships, which runs until April 26.
Some 30 gold medals are on the line across Freestyle, Women’s
Wrestling and Greco-Roman events.
Wrestling remains the most widely followed sport in Azerbaijan
and is governed by the National Wrestling Federation, established
in 1993.
A major turning point in the nation’s wrestling legacy came at
the Rio Olympic Games, where Azerbaijan distinguished itself as one
of only two countries to improve its medal haul across five
consecutive Olympic Games.
Azerbaijan’s success continued in 2020, when its freestyle
wrestlers finished third in the overall medal standings at the
Individual World Cup in Serbia, capturing two medals, one silver
and one bronze, behind leaders Russia and Turkiye.
Further highlighting the country’s strength on the world stage,
Osman Nurmagomedov claimed the 92 kg world title at the 2022 World
Championships in Belgrade, overcoming a Russian rival in the
final.
Most recently, Azerbaijan added to its Olympic record at the
2024 Summer Games, securing three bronze medals in wrestling.
Hasrat Jafarov reached the podium in the 67 kg Greco-Roman
category, while Giorgi Meshvildishvili (125 kg) and Magomedkhan
Magomedov (97 kg) delivered bronze medals in freestyle
wrestling.
The country has earned a reputation for successfully hosting
major competitions, from European and World Championships to youth
tournaments, welcoming athletes from around the globe with
world-class venues and hospitality.
Cities like Baku, Ganja, and others have become key destinations
for wrestling fans, showcasing Azerbaijan’s ability to combine a
rich sporting heritage with modern event management.