Tirana to host European Wrestling Championships
Bulgaria will participate with 24 wrestlers at the European Wrestling Championships in Tirana, Albania, starting April 20, the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation announced after final selection bouts.
In freestyle wrestling, Bulgaria will compete in all 10 weight categories.
Notable names include Shamil Mamedov, who will make his debut at a major championship after winning the Dan Kolov tournament, Mikyay Naim (European runner-up in 2023), Mihail Georgiev (gold belt winner this season), Akhmed Magamaev (fifth in the world in 2025), and U23 European champion Alen Khubulov, CE Report quotes BTA.
In Greco-Roman wrestling, Kiril Milov will defend his European title at 97 kg after defeating Armenia’s Artur Aleksanyan last season. Olympic champion Semen Novikov will compete at 87 kg, while Abu-Muslim Amaev (67 kg) returns after finishing second in Europe last year. Bulgaria will not have a representative only in the 130 kg category.
Five Bulgarian women will also compete. The most experienced is Bilyana Dudova (62 kg), a world champion and four-time European champion. Daniela Brasnarova replaces injured Yuliana Yaneva at 68 kg, while Vanessa Georgieva will compete at 76 kg. Young prospects Olga Popova (57 kg) and Viktoria Boynova (59 kg) are also included.
The championship draw will take place on April 19. The competition begins with Greco-Roman wrestling, followed by women’s events on Wednesday and freestyle on Friday.
