In a dramatic showdown at the 2026 European Wrestling Championships in Tirana, Albania, Georgij Tibilov (SRB) delivered a landmark performance to secure gold in the 60 kg Greco-Roman division, marking only the fifth senior European title ever for Serbia in this wrestling style. The 26-year-old overcame Suren Aghajanyan (ARM) in a tightly contested final that ended 2–2 on technical criteria, with Tibilov prevailing on last point scored after a mirrored exchange of step-outs and par-terre sequences.
Tibilov, who previously medaled at the European level and reached the 2025 final, reflected on his journey: “It’s hard to put into words … there are no weak opponents at this tournament …” He emphasized the disciplined preparation that ultimately yielded this breakthrough success.
Tactical Precision Decides the 60 kg Final
The gold-deciding match illustrated classic Greco-Roman strategy. Aghajanyan initially scored with a step-out and par-terre position, leading the bout in the first period. Yet, Tibilov matched those techniques in the second, earning a step-out and par-terre himself. Neither athlete converted par-terre opportunities into points, leaving criteria to determine the winner.
Tibilov now shifts focus to the upcoming World Championships, with his sights firmly set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and breaking the traditional dominance of Asian wrestlers in this weight class.
Azerbaijan Clinches Top Team Honors
While Serbia celebrated individual glory, Azerbaijan asserted its strength across divisions, finishing as the top team in Greco-Roman wrestling in Europe. Two defending champions, Hasrat Jafarov (67 kg) and Gurban Gurbanov (82 kg), successfully retained their titles, contributing crucial points to Azerbaijan’s team tally.
Jafarov and Gurbanov’s performances reflected tactical consistency and technical dominance, highlighted by decisive victories over leading European contenders. Their combined success helped position Azerbaijan above all other nations in this year’s Greco-Roman standings.
Other Notable Champions and Performances
Several other elite wrestlers etched their names onto the European podium:
Ibrahim Ghanem (FRA) captured gold at 72 kg, ending a historic long gap for France in Greco-Roman continental titles.
Kiril Milov (BUL) successfully defended his European crown at 97 kg, earning his third continental title.
These results underscore a competitive field where tactical par-terre exchanges, step-outs, and defensive discipline often decide outcomes in the sport’s traditional weight classes.
Summary of Final Results
A concise list of medalists from the key Greco-Roman finals:
60 kg: GOLD – Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), SILVER – Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM)
67 kg: GOLD – Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)
72 kg: GOLD – Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA)
82 kg: GOLD – Gurban GURBANOV (AZE)
97 kg: GOLD – Kiril MILOV (BUL)
The 2026 European Championships continue to showcase elite Greco-Roman talent and set the stage for global competition later this year.
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