TIRANA, ALBANIA — With the countdown underway to the 2026 European Wrestling Championships (April 20–26), anticipation is building for what promises to be one of the most competitive Greco-Roman tournaments in recent memory. The opening segment of the Championships will showcase 10 Olympic-weight Greco-Roman classes, featuring established champions and rising stars from across the continent.
Among the standout entries, Manvel Khachatryan (ARM) leads the 55kg field, while dynamic contenders such as Nihat Mammadli (AZE) — a recent ranking-series gold winner — anchor the 60kg bracket. Georgia’s Vakhtang Lolua, known for his world title credentials, will also be a name to watch after shifting into the 60kg division after success at 55kg.
At 63kg, Armenian powerhouse Karen Aslanyan and Azerbaijan’s Ziya Babashov are among the top seeds poised to battle for supremacy. The 67kg category features Slavik Galstyan (ARM) and seasoned campaigners like Hasrat Jafarov (AZE), while 77kg boasts a deep lineup including Albanian hopeful Kevin Kupi and Hungarian stalwart Robert Fritsch.
The middle weights — 82kg and 87kg — are stacked with elite talent from across Eastern and Western Europe. Samvel Grigoryan (ARM) and Gurban Gurbanov (AZE) headline the 82kg class, and the 87kg bracket will be fiercely contested by athletes such as Marjan Kola (ALB) and Lasha Gobadze (GEO).
At the heavier weights, Greco-Roman storytelling continues with seasoned competitors. In the 97kg class, Hayk Khloyan (ARM) and Giorgi Melia (GEO) are among the most decorated entrants, while the marquee 130kg division includes Turkish legend Riza Kayaalp, aiming to add to his storied continental legacy.
The championships will adhere to United World Wrestling’s standard elimination and repechage format, ensuring that even wrestlers knocked out by eventual finalists will have a second chance for bronze medals. This structure has often led to dramatic comebacks and surprise podium finishes.
While the official draws and match scores will only be confirmed once competition begins, this year’s Greco-Roman entries reflect an unusually deep and balanced field. Fans and national teams alike are preparing for a week of intense tactical battles on the mat, where a single throw or turn can decide medal fortunes.
The opening Greco-Roman sessions are scheduled from 20–22 April before the focus transitions to Women’s Wrestling and Freestyle disciplines later in the week.
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