Elmin Aliyev reaches the final of the European championship

March 14, 2026

The U23 European Wrestling Championship in Zrenjanin, Serbia, is approaching its conclusion.

On the sixth day of the competition, finalists in the 60, 67, 72, 82, and 97 kg weight categories in Greco-Roman wrestling were determined.

Aykhan Javadov (60 kg) advanced to the semifinal by defeating Bulgaria’s Borislav Kirilov (8:1) and Albania’s Andi Muka by fall. One step away from the final, he narrowly lost to Georgia’s Giorgi Kochalidze (2:3) and will compete tomorrow for the bronze medal against Ukraine’s Yevgeni Pokovba.

Farid Khalilov (67 kg) defeated Germany’s Yanis Heinzelbeker decisively (8:0) and then overcame Georgia’s Anri Khozrevanidze (11:6). Khalilov lost in the semifinal to Russia’s Daniyal Agayev (0:8) and will compete for third place tomorrow against a wrestler from Belarus, Hungary, or Armenia.

Faraim Mustafayev (72 kg) eliminated Bulgaria’s Dimitar Georgiev by fall (8:0) but lost in the quarterfinal to Russia’s Rabil Askerov (0:8). Mustafayev will wrestle in the repechage against the winner of the match between Ukraine’s Dimitro Vasilyev and Estonia’s Artur Jeremeyev.

Elmin Aliyev (82 kg) defeated Hungary’s Sabolc Sina (5:3) and then Spain’s Jose Soba by fall (8:0). He overcame Sweden’s Aleksandr Yohansson based on the last point principle (3:3) to reach the semifinal. On his path to the final, Aliyev defeated Belarus’s Ilya Valevski (8:2) and will face Georgia’s Tornike Mikeladze in the decisive match.

Ali Guliyev (97 kg) lost in the round of 16 to Croatia’s Tomislav Brkan (2:5).