Armenia's Top Wrestlers Excluded as Yerevan Hosts World Military Wrestling Championships; Fans Demand Answers, Defense Ministry Silent

Yerevan, Armenia, is set to host the 37th World Military Wrestling Championships from November 20 to 22 at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex. This prestigious event brings together athletes from across the globe, all of whom are active-duty military personnel. The championship is a testament to the spirit of competition and the physical skills of servicemen and women worldwide, but this year, it has been marred by unexpected developments.

In an unexpected turn, Armenia will not be fielding its strongest team in the championship. This decision, which has puzzled fans and participants alike, was brought to light by Arsen Harutyunyan, a highly decorated Armenian wrestler. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Harutyunyan expressed frustration over the exclusion of the country’s top athletes from the tournament.  

“Our team has put in immense effort, strictly following diets and enduring both physical and psychological challenges to prepare for this event. Yet, our best wrestlers, who had a real chance to become champions, have been removed from the competition,” Harutyunyan wrote. He went on to urge journalists to seek clarity from the Ministry of Defense, as the athletes themselves were given no explanation for their exclusion.  

Harutyunyan’s post was echoed by other leading wrestlers, including Malkhas Amoyan, Vazgen Tevanyan, Arman Andreasyan, and Knyaz Iboyan. The Armenian Wrestling Federation also stated that they have no information regarding the matter, leaving the public with more questions than answers.

This controversy comes just months after Armenia’s top wrestlers, including Olympic-level competitors, began their mandatory military service. In August, ten elite athletes, among them an Olympic medalist, were conscripted into the Armenian Armed Forces. These wrestlers pledged to serve with pride, bringing their physical and mental strength to boost the morale of the military.  

Arman Andreasyan, one of the conscripted wrestlers, voiced his enthusiasm for military service, stating, “We must make sure that the army is always powerful.” Similarly, Vazgen Tevanyan highlighted the importance of solidarity, both on and off the battlefield, saying, “We are always ready to stand with our fellow soldiers.”  

Olympian Arsen Harutyunyan shared a deeply personal connection to the military, recalling his father’s role as a commander in the early days of Armenia’s armed forces. Harutyunyan himself participated in the recent conflict alongside his father. His words, filled with patriotism, emphasized unity: “If the moment comes that we all have to unite, then we must unite and save our country.”  

Despite these challenges, the World Military Wrestling Championships in Yerevan are expected to be a grand event. Over 40 countries and approximately 400 athletes are anticipated to participate, showcasing their skills and dedication on the mat. This event is a significant moment for Armenia, a nation with a rich wrestling tradition and a history of success in international competitions organized by the International Military Sports Council (CISM).  

The Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports has allocated over 476 million drams ($1.2 million)  to support the championship. The opening ceremony, scheduled for November 20, promises to be a grand spectacle at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex.

While the event is a cause for celebration, the absence of Armenia’s top wrestlers casts a shadow over the championship. Wrestling fans and the general public are awaiting an official response from the Ministry of Defense to understand why the nation’s strongest athletes have been sidelined.  

For a country where wrestling is more than just a sport—it’s a source of national pride—the developments leading up to this championship shows the complex interplay between sports, duty, and national priorities. As the tournament unfolds, the focus will remain on the athletes who have persevered, as well as on the unanswered questions that loom over Armenia’s participation in this global event.