Opening ceremony held for U17 world wrestling championships

July 27, 2026

The opening ceremony of the U17 World Wrestling Championships was held in a festive atmosphere in Baku.

The event began with the national anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The ceremony highlighted Azerbaijan’s hosting of the World Championships. It was noted that fans can look forward to high-level competition, exciting bouts and a variety of entertainment programs throughout the coming week. Spectators were invited to attend the National Gymnastics Arena on all competition days.

Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation and Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov said that the development of sport is one of the key priorities of state policy in Azerbaijan. He noted that the modern sports infrastructure established in the country, efforts to involve young people in sport, and the high-level organization of international competitions are the result of the special attention and care devoted to this field by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. It was emphasized that the U17 World Wrestling Championships are not only a competition for medals, but also an important international platform where young athletes can demonstrate their potential, experience the unifying power of sport and forge new friendships. It was also highlighted that wrestling is an integral part of Azerbaijan’s ancient sporting traditions, while the achievements of Azerbaijani athletes on the international stage continue to inspire the younger generation.

The Federation president expressed confidence that the competitions would be held in a fair and sporting environment. He thanked the organizing committee, partners and everyone involved in staging the championships, and wished all participants success. He then officially declared the U17 World Wrestling Championships open.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov, Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee Chingiz Huseynzade and President of United World Wrestling (UWW) Nenad Lalovic emphasized the significance of Baku hosting another world-class sporting event.

Following the official ceremony, spectators were treated to a spectacular artistic program combining Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage with the spirit of modern sport.

The performance titled “Today, the Heart of World Wrestling Beats in Baku” portrayed a story of friendship, respect and unity expressed through the language of sport.

Two young wrestlers took to the stage, representing all participants of the World Championships and conveying the excitement, confidence and desire for victory. This was followed by wrestlers representing different countries coming together on the mat, while the fusion of mugham with contemporary rhythms created a harmonious blend of ancient culture and a modern celebration of sport.