Aykhan Javadov reaches the world championship final again

August 18, 2026

The U20 World Wrestling Championships are continuing in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.

On the third competition day, finalists were determined in the 60kg and 82kg Greco-Roman wrestling categories, as well as in the 50kg, 53kg and 72kg women’s wrestling categories.

Aykhan Javadov (60kg) made a confident start to the competition. The reigning world champion defeated France’s Magomed Varaev by technical superiority (9-0) to advance to the quarterfinals. Our representative then overcame Brazil’s Pedro Enrique de Souza Rodrigues 6-2 to book his place in the semifinals. In the semifinal, Javadov defeated Iran’s Amirali Heydari by a narrow 4-3 margin, securing a place in the U20 World Championship final for the second consecutive time. Javadov will face Uzbekistan’s Dostonbek Oripov in tomorrow’s final.

Elmin Aliyev (82kg) won his first two bouts by technical superiority. Our representative defeated Georgia’s Luka Pipia and Japan’s Rondo Kodama 8-0. In the quarterfinals, Aliyev eliminated Uzbekistan’s Bekmurod Rustamov 1-1 on criteria, with the first-point rule deciding the bout. However, he was beaten 7-4 by Belarus’ Kiryl Valeuski in the semifinal. Elmin will wrestle for a bronze medal tomorrow. His opponent will be either Mohammed Shaban (Egypt), Ismail Barekat (Türkiye) or Severi Maeenpaeae (Finland).

Esra Mammadli (53kg) was defeated 7-1 by Kazakhstan’s Dinara Dauylkyzy in the qualification round.

Zahra Karimzade (72kg), who entered the competition in the quarterfinals, eliminated Türkiye’s Ilayda Cin by fall. However, she was unable to overcome India’s Tanu Sharma in the semifinal, losing 11-0. In the decisive bout, Zahra will face the winner of the Liliana Kazmina (Russia) – Petra Mueller (Hungary) match.