Baku, September 17, 2025
Azerbaijan’s freestyle team left the World Championships in Zagreb with one silver and three bronze medals – and a vow to push higher as the Olympic cycle intensifies.
Bronze-medallist Arseniy Dzhioev (86 kg) said stepping off the plane with hardware was “a special feeling.”
“It’s really pleasant to come home with a medal,” he told Report, thanking fans, the federation and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
“We feel huge support from the stands – that gives us extra motivation. I want Azerbaijan to be known worldwide as a sporting nation.” Dzhioev dominated France’s Rahim Magamadov 7:0 in the bronze bout.
Osman Nurmagomedov (92 kg), who beat Georgia’s Miriani Maisuradze 5:1 for bronze, echoed the sentiment: “After tough matches it’s especially nice to return to the Motherland. We were welcomed warmly. We achieved a good result, but we’ll aim even higher.”
Head coach Khetag Gazyumov praised the team but said the ceiling is higher: “The guys performed well, but I think we could have taken more medals. We don’t have gold yet. I hope as the Olympics approach, our contenders will be better prepared to fight for the top prize.”
He singled out 61-kg bronze winner Nuraddin Nuruzov: “His result will spur our young wrestlers.”
Team tally in Zagreb:
Silver: Giorgi Meshvildishvili (125 kg)
Bronze: Nuraddin Nuruzov (61 kg), Arseniy Dzhioev (86 kg), Osman Nurmagomedov (92 kg)
The squad now turns its focus to upcoming tournaments and Olympic qualifying, with expectations set firmly on turning podiums into titles.
