The Azerbaijan national Greco-Roman wrestling team concluded its participation in the U-20 European Championships, held in Skopje, North Macedonia, securing an impressive total of five medals. According to reports from AzerNEWS published on Friday, July 10, 2026, the Azerbaijani delegation significantly boosted its medal count by adding two more awards during the third day of competition, solidifying their strong performance at the continental event.
Azerbaijan's Medal Haul at European U-20 Championships
The team's final tally included one gold medal, two silver medals, and two bronze medals, showcasing the depth of talent within Azerbaijan's junior Greco-Roman wrestling program. These achievements underscore the nation's consistent presence on the international wrestling stage, a sport that holds significant cultural and historical importance within the country.
Gold and Silver Medal Achievements
Emin Javadli emerged as a standout performer, capturing a gold medal in the highly competitive 55 kg category. His victory was a pivotal moment for the team, contributing to Azerbaijan's remarkable record as one of only two countries globally to improve its medal haul across five consecutive Olympic Games, a historical context highlighted by AzerNEWS when discussing the nation's enduring wrestling legacy.
Adding to the team's success, Javidan Nehmatov earned a silver medal in the 77 kg division, demonstrating his prowess against formidable opponents. Similarly, Orkhan Hajiyev secured another silver medal for Azerbaijan, competing in the 87 kg category. These strong finishes in their respective weight classes were integral to the team's overall standing and reinforced wrestling's status as the most widely followed sport within Azerbaijan.
Bronze Medal Contests and Decisive Victories
Aykhan Javadov showcased his skill and determination in the 60 kg division. During a crucial bronze medal match on July 9, 2026, Javadov delivered a commanding performance, defeating Romania's Dragos Draga with a decisive score of 6–1 to claim a bronze medal for his nation. This victory not only added to Azerbaijan's medal collection but also highlighted the individual athlete's ability to perform under pressure on a major European stage.
Elmin Aliyev further contributed to the team's success, competing in the 82 kg category where he also secured a third-place finish. Aliyev faced Hungary's Szabolcs Szina and dominated the bout, achieving victory by technical superiority with an emphatic margin of 8–0. This impressive win allowed Azerbaijan to add another bronze medal to their collection on what proved to be a productive final day of competition for the team.
Roman Karimov's Resilient Campaign
Roman Karimov, competing in the 67 kg category, embarked on a challenging path through the repechage bracket after an initial setback in his quest for a podium finish. His resilience was evident as he fought his way back, securing significant victories against international opponents.
In one of his repechage matches, Karimov demonstrated his technical superiority by defeating Lithuania's Eimantas Andriuska with a convincing score of 9–0. He continued his strong run by subsequently facing Moldova's Maxim Damaschiin in another critical contest during the elimination phase, where he again emerged victorious with an impressive score of 10–0.
Despite these dominant performances, Karimov's medal campaign ultimately concluded when he faced Russia's Amir Sovmiz in the bronze medal match. In a closely contested bout, Karimov lost with a final tally of 2–6. As a result of this loss, Roman Karimov finished in fifth place overall for the tournament, a commendable achievement given the competitive field, despite narrowly missing out on a medal. The specific date of his bronze medal match defeat was July 9, 2026, as reported by AzerNEWS.
National Wrestling Program and International Standing
The U-20 European Championships, hosted in Skopje, North Macedonia, serve as a vital platform for emerging wrestling talent across the continent. For Azerbaijan, the success of its U-20 team is a testament to the robust infrastructure provided by the National Wrestling Federation of Azerbaijan, an organization established in 1993. This federation is responsible for overseeing the development of national teams that compete internationally across various age groups and weight classes, nurturing athletes from grassroots levels to elite competition.
Azerbaijan's consistent excellence in wrestling is well-documented. Historical data cited in coverage from AzerNEWS highlights the nation's distinction as one of only two countries globally to improve its medal haul across five consecutive Olympic Games. This pattern of success is not limited to senior competitions; it continued into the year 2020, when Azerbaijani freestyle wrestlers achieved a remarkable third-place finish in the overall medal standings at the Individual World Cup. Such achievements underscore the deep historical roots of wrestling in Azerbaijan and its enduring significance as a source of national pride and athletic accomplishment.
The performance of the Greco-Roman team at these U-20 European Championships, particularly the addition of two more medals on the third day of competition following earlier successful preliminary rounds and quarterfinals, reinforces this legacy. The final count of one gold for Emin Javadli, two silvers for Javidan Nehmatov and Orkhan Hajiyev, and two bronzes claimed by Aykhan Javadov and Elmin Aliyev, collectively paints a picture of a thriving national wrestling program. The coverage of these events, reported under the headline "Greco-Roman wrestlers win five medals at European Championships" on July 9, 2026, further emphasizes the ongoing importance and widespread public interest in wrestling within Azerbaijan.