Armenia's Wrestling Champions Return with Medals After European Championship

A wave of pride swept through Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan as Armenian athletes returned home from the European Wrestling Championship held in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. In the early hours of the morning, dozens of fans, family members, and supporters waited eagerly to welcome their national heroes. Traditional Armenian music from dhol and zurna was heard, and the wrestlers were greeted with flower wreaths placed around their necks — a symbol of victory and respect.

The Armenian Report was there to capture the celebration and speak with the champions who had once again brought honor to Armenia.

Team Armenia placed fifth in the overall team rankings at the European Wrestling Championship — a major achievement for a small nation competing among Europe’s strongest. The athletes returned with one gold medal and one silver medal, representing not just their own skill, but the relentless effort and discipline behind every match.

Leading the celebration was 77 kg Greco-Roman wrestler Malkhas Amoyan, who secured his fourth European championship title. Already a world champion and Olympic bronze medalist, Amoyan added another gold medal to his growing collection. He described the experience of hearing the Armenian national anthem play in an international arena as “an honor beyond words.”

“The feelings are inexplicable,” Amoyan told The Armenian Report. “It is a great obligation every time. I have experienced very happy and proud moments, for which I thank God and my coaches.”

Amoyan’s journey to gold was nothing short of dominant. In the round of 16, he crushed Polish opponent Mateusz Bernatek — a world and European silver medalist — with a score of 9:0. He then defeated Moldovan Alexander Solovei 7:2 in the quarterfinals, followed by a 5:1 semifinal win over Bulgarian Hayk Mnatsakanyan. In the final, Amoyan defeated Georgian Ramaz Zoidze with a strong 3:1 victory, securing his title once again.

Joining Amoyan in the spotlight was 63 kg wrestler Karen Aslanyan, who won silver after a hard-fought battle against Turkey’s Kerem Kamal in the final match. Aslanyan had a powerful start — winning his quarterfinal match against Poland’s Mayrbek Salimov in just 30 seconds with a clean 8:0 score. He repeated the same result against Ukraine’s Andrey Semenchuk in the semifinals.

Despite narrowly missing the gold, Aslanyan remained optimistic.

“It’s true that I wanted to take first place,” he said, “but I’m not discouraged. I’ll try to perform better next time. Our team participated with high preparation and represented Armenia with honor.”

Armenia’s younger talents also gave impressive performances. Manvel Khachatryan (55 kg) reached the bronze medal match but lost in a tight 1:3 fight to Georgia’s Vakhtang Lolui. Though he left without a medal, Khachatryan showed promise for future competitions.

Meanwhile, Armenian wrestling legend Artur Aleksanyan, a four-time world champion and seven-time European champion, competed in the 97 kg category. He advanced to the semifinals with victories over Estonia’s Richard Karlsson (5:1) and Georgian-turned-Italian wrestler Nikolos Kakhelashvili (5:2). However, Aleksanyan suffered a heartbreaking 1:2 loss to Bulgaria’s Kiril Milov in the semifinals. He now prepares for the bronze medal match.

The late-night homecoming celebration was more than a warm welcome — it was a moment of national pride. From young children to elderly fans, people came to the airport not just to greet the athletes but to thank them. In a country that has faced enormous challenges in recent years, these moments of athletic success remind Armenians of their strength, resilience, and unity.

The Armenian Report was there to capture every smile, every cheer, and every heartfelt interview. To support independent Armenian journalism, consider subscribing to The Armenian Report. Thank you in advance for your support.