Slovakia is set to host the U20 World Championships for the second time in eight years. The nation last held the event in 2018 at Trnava's Mestska Sports Hall, where the competition featured 10 weight classes across Freestyle, Women's Wrestling, and Greco-Roman. Six gold medals in Freestyle wrestling were won by Russian competitors, many of whom went on to earn senior accolades, including world and Olympic titles.
Akhmed Idrisov captured the 57kg U20 title in his first international appearance. He recorded a 46-6 score over five matches, highlighted by a 9-2 semifinal victory over Arsen Harutyunayan of Armenia. In 2021, Idrisov secured gold at the U23 European Championships, but he has remained absent from the international circuit since.
Abasgadzhi Magomedov's Senior Breakout
At 61kg, Abasgadzhi Magomedov delivered a commanding performance, outscoring opponents 50-4 in five bouts. His U20 success was a precursor to a breakthrough senior season in 2021, during which he earned gold at both the World and European Championships. After missing selection for the Russian team, he won the 2026 Russian National Championships and aims for his third world medal at the 2026 World Championships in Astana.
Saiyn Kazyryk's thrilling 8-7 victory over Iran's Amirhossein Maghsoudi in the 2018 U20 final at 65kg remains a standout moment of the event. A year later, Kazyryk placed ninth at the U23 European Championships, but struggled to adapt to the senior level. After a six-year absence, he made a return to the Russian team and competed at the 2026 World Championships.
Kazyryk ranked 10th in 2026 after falling to Hungary's Iszmail Muszukajev. His journey from U20 champion to senior world competitor illustrates the highs and lows wrestlers often experience in reaching the top of the sport.
