Sadulaev returns with gold, Russia dominates freestyle wrestling

Abdulrashid Sadulaev marked an impressive return to the European stage by winning the title in the 97 kg category at the championship in Tirana. Athletes competing under a neutral status from Russia dominated the first day of freestyle wrestling, taking four of the five gold medals, but their achievements do not count in the national team standings.

Bulgaria is in sixth place in the rankings after Ahmed Magamaev won a bronze medal. In the final of his category, Sadulaev was dominant, defeating Slovak wrestler Batyrbek Tsakulov 14:3, securing his first European title since 2020.

Alongside him, gold medals were also won by Bashir Magomedov (65 kg), David Baev (70 kg), and Akhmed Usmanov (79 kg). The only exception to this dominance was Azerbaijani wrestler Islam Bazaraganov (57 kg), who kept the battle for first place between Ukraine and Azerbaijan competitive.