U23 World championships squad announced

October 7, 2026

The U23 World Wrestling Championships will be held in Las Vegas, USA, from October 12 to 18.

Azerbaijan will be represented by 23 wrestlers at the World Championships. The Greco-Roman wrestling team will be the first to take to the mats. Under the guidance of senior coach Nuraddin Rajabov and coaches Rovshan Bayramov and Sabah Shariat, Farid Sadikhli (55 kg), Elmir Aliyev (60 kg), Ayxan Javadov (63 kg), Mahammad Shukurzada (67 kg), Farid Khalilov (72 kg), Ruslan Nurullayev (77 kg), Elmin Aliyev (82 kg), Orkhan Hajiyev (87 kg), Ismayil Rzayev (97 kg) and Mezaim Mardanov (130 kg) will represent Azerbaijan.

The women’s wrestling competition will follow. Under the guidance of acting head coach Togrul Asgarov, Nargiz Samadova (53 kg), Gultakin Shirinova (55 kg) and Gunay Gurbanova (59 kg) will compete in Las Vegas.

The freestyle wrestlers will take to the mats during the final days of the championships. Led by senior coach Jabrayil Hasanov and coaches Taymuraz Kokoyev and Sharif Sharifov, they will aim for success in Las Vegas. The squad includes Vasif Baghirov (57 kg), Jeyhun Allahverdiyev (61 kg), Musa Aghayev (65 kg), Ramik Heybatov (70 kg), Aganazar Novruzov (74 kg), Eljan Ismayilzada (79 kg), Sabuhi Amiraslanov (86 kg), Anar Jafarli (92 kg), Zafar Aliyev (97 kg) and Khetag Karsanov (125 kg).

The morning sessions will begin at 21:30 Baku time, while the evening sessions are scheduled to start at 04:45.

First-class international referee Bashir Isazade and first-class referee Ali Babayev will officiate at the U23 World Championships.