National wrestlers reach U17 World Championships final

By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijani Greco-Roman wrestlers have reached the finals of the U17 World Championships held in Rome, Azernews reports.

Farahim Mustafayev (55 kg) and Ismayil Rzayev (80 kg) defeated all their opponents and advanced to the finals of the championship.

Farahim Mustafayev will fight against Indian Suraj Suraj while Ismayil Rzayev will face Turkish Alperen Berber.

Members of the national team Said Khalilov (48 kg), Ali Alizada (65 kg), and Mazahim Mardanov (110 kg) will fight for the bronze medal.

Some 600 wrestlers compete at the U17 World Championships 2022 in Rome.

The U17 World Championships 2022 will last until July 31.

Wrestling remains the most popular sport in the county and is overseen by the National Wrestling Federation, which was established in 1993.

The Rio Games opened a new page in wrestling for Azerbaijan.

The country became one of only two nations ever to increase the number of medals achieved in five consecutive Games.

In 2020, Azerbaijani freestyle wrestlers finished third in the overall medal table of the Individual World Cup in Serbia.

National wrestlers won two medals, including silver and bronze. Russia topped the medal table followed by Turkey.

The national team also won five medals at the Grand Prix Moscow in Russia. The national team won one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals in the tournament.

At the same time, Osman Nurmagomedov (92 kg) was crowned a world champion title in Belgrade last year.

In 2022, Azerbaijani Greco-Roman wrestlers achieved a historic victory in the continental championship.

The wrestlers won seven medals which is the best result for the national team under-23 freestyle wrestling both in terms of the number of medals and the team standing.

The Azerbaijani team was represented at the European Under-23 Wrestling Championship in nine weight categories out of 10.

The wrestling team, led by coaches Arif Abdullayev, Jabrayil Hasanov, and Rovshan Hajiyev, captured four gold and three bronze medals. Moreover, it also scored 159 points and became the European champion in the team standings.

Ziraddin Bayramov (65 kg), Jabrail Hajiyev (74 kg), Abubakr Abakarov (86 kg), and Islam Ilyasov (97 kg) defeated all their rivals and became European champions. Bronze medals came from Tofig Aliyev (57 kg), Ashraf Ashirov (79 kg), and Aydin Ahmadov (125 kg).