From April 14 to 18, the sports and fitness complex in Chegem (Kabardino-Balkar Republic) hosted two Russian championships simultaneously for the first time — Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling for young men under 17 years old.
In the Greco-Roman wrestling competition, 51 athletes (aged 16–17) from 15 regions participated, including Moscow, Orel, Ulyanovsk, Astrakhan, Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, and Amur Oblasts, as well as Krasnodar and Khabarovsk Krais, and the Republics of Tatarstan, Ingushetia, Tyva, North Ossetia-Alania, Kabardino-Balkaria, and the Chechen Republic.
The freestyle wrestling tournament featured 46 competitors from 13 regions, including the Republics of Dagestan, Ingushetia, Tyva, Buryatia, Sakha-Yakutia, North Ossetia-Alania, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Karachay-Cherkessia, along with Orel, Ulyanovsk, Astrakhan, and Rostov Oblasts. Athletes in both styles competed in the same 10 weight categories: 45, 48, 51, 55, 60, 65, 71, 80, 92, and 110 kg.
Before the finals, Olympic champion Murat Kardanov — who won gold at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney—conducted a master class for the young wrestlers. He demonstrated key techniques and shared insights gained from years of rigorous training.
Team Standings
Greco-Roman Wrestling:
1st place - Astrakhan Oblast
2nd place - Moscow
3rd place - Republic of Tyva
RESULTS IN GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLING INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Freestyle Wrestling:
1st place - Astrakhan Oblast
2nd place - Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
3rd place - Kabardino-Balkar Republic
RESULTS IN THE INDIVIDUAL FREESTYLE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Daniil Ivanov, senior coach of the Russian national Greco-Roman wrestling team, commented: “The Astrakhan team stood out with an outstanding performance, securing 10 medals across different categories. This tournament was a true test of skill for the young athletes, who demonstrated determination and resilience in tough matches. The championship has also helped identify strong candidates for the Russian national team, paving the way for further development and mastery of the sport.”
Text: Olga Troynikova, Nurlan Tazhigulov
Photo: Askhad Yaganov
Translation: Daria Kudelina
