Azerbaijani freestyle wrestler Vasif Baghirov (57 kg) struck gold at the U20 European Wrestling Championship held in Caorle, Italy, and shared his excitement after the victory.
“Thank God, my hard work paid off,” Baghirov said after his triumph, adding that his efforts did not go unrewarded in the final. He expressed gratitude to his coaches and vowed to aim for another gold medal at the upcoming World Championship.
Baghirov returned to Azerbaijan today along with other members of the national wrestling team, who also achieved notable success at the tournament.
The 20-year-old wrestler, trained at the Ganja Wrestling School, showcased remarkable determination in the final bout against Georgia’s Nika Zangaladze. Despite trailing 5–6 at the break, Baghirov staged a powerful comeback in the second half to secure a 9–6 victory, turning last year’s silver medal finish into a European Championship title.
Baghirov’s resilience and progression highlight the strength of Azerbaijan’s youth wrestling program and its growing reputation on the continental stage.
