Shamsipour and Yakushenko Capture Gold as U20 Greco-Roman World Championships Conclude

The 2026 U20 World Wrestling Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia, delivered a spectacular showcase of the sport's next generation during the Greco-Roman Group Two finals. With gold medals on the line across four weight classes, the evening was defined by dominant technical displays, dramatic comebacks, and the crowning of multiple repeat world champions.[1][5]

In the 55kg division, 18-year-old Iranian prodigy Armin Shamsipour secured his second career world title with a flawless performance against Georgia's Koba Karumidze. Shamsipour, who previously captured U17 gold in 2024, wasted no time asserting his dominance on the mat.[1]

After earning an early par terre advantage, Shamsipour executed a breathtaking four-point throw to establish a commanding 5-0 lead by the break. Despite a brief moment where he conceded two points on a counter, the Iranian wrestler maintained his relentless offensive pressure, securing back-to-back takedowns in the final ninety seconds to close out a 12-2 technical superiority victory.[1]

"I was in good shape," Shamsipour remarked following his decisive win. "Based on the coaches' analysis, the plan was for me to start working on his arms from the first period and try to force the first passivity warning." The young champion made his ultimate ambitions clear, adding that his primary focus is now firmly set on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.[1]

The 97kg final provided another historic milestone as Ukraine's Yehor Yakushenko captured his third consecutive U20 world championship. Yakushenko, who has established himself as one of the most formidable age-group wrestlers on the planet, capped off a dominant tournament run by defeating Russia's Ilia Komarov 4-1 in the gold medal bout.[3]

Yakushenko's path to the final was a masterclass in Greco-Roman technique. The Ukrainian star posted back-to-back 8-0 shutout victories in the earlier rounds, dismantling his opponents with swift takedowns and punishing turns from the par terre position. His victory over Komarov cemented his legacy as a rare three-time U20 gold medalist.[2][3]

Meanwhile, the 67kg weight class delivered the most thrilling final of the session. Kazakhstan's Kazybek Kalmagambetov overcame a fierce challenge from Belarusian wrestler Mikhail Markouski to claim the gold medal. In a high-scoring, back-and-forth battle that tested both athletes' endurance, Kalmagambetov emerged victorious with a 13-7 decision, securing Kazakhstan's first medal of the 2026 championships.[4]

Rounding out the Group Two finals, Russia's Mingiian Goriaev captured the 72kg title with a commanding 12-3 victory over Türkiye's Salih Yazici. Goriaev, the 2025 U20 European champion, utilized a series of early gut wrenches to build an insurmountable lead, helping his nation maintain a narrow advantage in the overall Greco-Roman team standings.[1][5]