Yevgeny Mikhalchan after the victory over Iranian Rahmani (2:1) // Photo: uww.org
Mihalcean, represented in the weight category up to 86 kg, defeated Kevin Trevino (Mexico) and Rahim Magamadov, representing France, in the first stages of the tournament. In the 1/4 finals, the 22-year-old Moldovan wrestler defeated Soltan Begenjov from Turkmenistan 10:0, and in the semifinals he defeated Abolfazl Rahmani (Iran).
The final duel with Russian Arsen Balayan, who performed under a neutral flag, did not work out in favor of the native of the village of Red-Chereshnovets, Soroka district. Mihalchan lost with the score 0:10 and became the vice-champion of the world. He improved his performance from a year ago, when he settled for a bronze medal.
Bronze medal winners in the 86 kg category were Ali Tsokayev (Azerbaijan) and Rakhmani, who lost to Mikhalchan in the 1/2 final.
For Mikhalchan, the silver medal was the highest achievement in his sports career. He won bronze medals at the World Youth Championships (2024), European Championships (2023, 2025) and the World Under-20 Championships (2023).
In the final medal standings, the Moldovan freestyle wrestling team moved up one position and became the eighth among 45 participating countries. Teams of the USA, Iran and Japan took the top of the ranking. Moldovan wrestlers of Greco-Roman style also finished the tournament on the eighth position among representatives of 44 countries. The girls were unable to support the success of the two men’s national teams, finishing the tournament in 23rd place among 39 participating countries.
In total, the Moldovan national team, represented by 21 athletes, won five medals: three in Greco-Roman wrestling and two in freestyle wrestling. In Greco-Roman wrestling, Alexandrin Gutsu won a gold medal (up to 82 kg), Vitalii Eremenko – a silver medal (up to 63 kg), and Alexandru Solovei – a bronze medal (up to 77 kg).
The day before, Logos Press reported that the native of ATU Gagauzia, Alexandru Gaidarli, won bronze in freestyle wrestling (up to 70 kg).
The World Youth Olympic Wrestling Championship was held in Serbia from October 20 to 27. More than 700 participants from 50 countries played 30 sets of medals.
