Armenia Claims 3 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze on Opening Day of World Military Wrestling Championship in Yerevan

The 37th World Military Wrestling Championship has begun in Yerevan, Armenia, bringing athletes and sports enthusiasts together at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex. On the opening day, 400 participants from 24 nations showcased their strength, skill, and determination in what promises to be an exciting competition.  

Armenia’s Defense Minister Suren Papikyan and Deputy Minister of Sports Karen Giloyan were among the notable attendees. Their presence shows the significance of the event, not only as a platform for international athletic excellence but also as a moment of pride for Armenia.  

Armenia’s own Suren Aghajanyan delivered a stunning performance in the Greco-Roman 60 kg weight category, clinching the gold medal with a nail-biting 3:3 victory against his North Korean opponent. The deciding factor was Aghajanyan's execution of the last effective move.  

“I have been preparing for this tournament for a long time. I came to win because I’m representing my name and our army,” Aghajanyan told The Armenian Report after his victory. “I myself am a conscript soldier, and as a result of the right fight, today I became the champion.”  

Armenia’s strong start extended beyond Aghajanyan’s success. Hrachya Poghosyan secured a bronze medal in the Greco-Roman 63 kg category with an emphatic 8:0 win against his Colombian competitor.  

Elen Babajanyan, competing in the 53 kg category in a round-robin format, displayed resilience and skill to earn a silver medal by narrowly defeating Kyrgyz wrestler Oyundari with a score of 8:7.  

The nation’s second gold of the day came from Gaspar Terteryan in the Greco-Roman 67 kg category. Terteryan dominated his Iranian opponent in the final with an impressive 11:0 victory.  

Sargis Begoyan, a member of Armenia’s Armed Forces, added to the medal tally with a silver in the freestyle 61 kg category. Though he fell to North Korea’s Kwan Kim Myung with a score of 4:8 in the final.

In another Greco-Roman event, Ashot Khachatryan earned bronze in the 77 kg category after decisively defeating the Jordanian representative 9:1.  

The day ended on a high note for Armenia when Andranik Avetisyan captured gold in the 65 kg category, defeating a North Korean competitor to become a champion.  

Deputy Minister of Sports Karen Giloyan praised the Armenian team’s outstanding start. “I’ve been fascinated by Suren Aghajanyan's performance and others too. I see commitment, ability to fight, and a very good mood among the athletes. These early results prove that we have brought a great team to this championship,” he said.  

The championship also saw Turkish wrestler and European champion Kerem Kemal claim gold in the Greco-Roman 63 kg category by defeating the United States’ Ildar Hafizov. The Turkish national anthem was played in Yerevan.

However, the highlight of the day for many was hearing the Armenian national anthem resonate proudly as servicemen stood tall, singing in unison. The moment was described as deeply moving, symbolizing the pride and unity that these games inspire.  

As the championship continues, Armenia has already proven its strength on the international stage. With three gold medals on the first day, the nation has set a high bar, and anticipation grows for what the remaining days of competition will bring.