European champions: “We will do our best to become champions on home soil”

May 19, 2026

Our freestyle wrestlers, who became champions at the U17 European Championships held in Samokov, Bulgaria, shared their impressions of the victory:

Huseyn Rzazade:

“I became champion by defeating wrestlers from Georgia, Türkiye, Russia, and Ukraine. Among the opponents I faced, the strongest one was the Russian athlete. I would like to express my deep gratitude to the coaches who contributed to this victory – Royal Aghamaliyev, Jeyhun Aghamaliyev, Khayal Aghamaliyev, as well as Ramal Ganiyev and Farid Ismayilov. I am also thankful to the senior coach of the national team, Asgarkhan Novruzov, and coaches Vahid Mammadov and Yashar Aliyev. I would like to thank my parents, who never withheld their support and prayers from me on this journey, and my relatives who have always stood by my side. I dedicate this victory to our martyrs and veterans. A major challenge awaits us ahead – the World Championships. God willing, I will try to repeat the result I achieved in Europe at the World Championships to be held in Baku.”

Nihad Suleymanli:

“My first match was against a Georgian opponent, and it was quite difficult. I even suffered minor injuries. Despite this, I did not lose motivation. My goal was to become champion, and I continued moving forward with that objective. Later, I defeated wrestlers from Germany and Hungary to advance to the semifinals. In the semifinal, I faced a Russian athlete, and thankfully, I managed to win that bout as well. In the final, I defeated Emirhan Cayir from the brotherly country and became champion. Before stepping onto the mat for the decisive match, I thought I would not feel nervous. However, it was nothing like I had imagined. I could not escape the pressure and excitement of a bout that would determine the championship. Nevertheless, I fought until the very end and raised our flag in the Samokov arena with a 10:0 victory. I dedicate this victory to our country. I would like to express my deep gratitude to my personal coaches, Alisa Abbasov and Huseyn Nasirov, who put tremendous effort into my development, as well as to the national team coaches. The U17 World Championships in Baku are ahead of us. I will prepare even better and do my best to become champion on home soil. I believe the main rivals at the World Championships will be representatives of Iran and the United States. As a team, we will prepare very well.”

Ibrahim Hasanov:

“The competition went very well. Thank God, I marked my debut in the U17 age group with a championship title. I would like to express my deep gratitude to my personal coach, Rauf Khalilov, who has contributed greatly to my success, and to my family. I also thank the national team coaches. God willing, I will try to repeat the same result at the World Championships to be held in Baku. My main rival at the World Championships will be the American wrestler.”