Two-time Olympic freestyle wrestling champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev has won the European Championship for the first time since 2020. Sadulaev, widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers in the sport, claimed gold at the continental tournament. Fellow Russian wrestlers Akhmed Usmanov and David Baev also secured gold medals at the competition. The championships mark a significant return to form for Sadulaev on the European stage after a multi-year absence from the top of the podium.
Abdulrashid Sadulaev has reclaimed the European freestyle wrestling title, ending a six-year wait for continental gold that last came his way in 2020.
The Russian superstar, widely regarded as one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers in the sport's history, topped the podium at the European Championship to add another major title to a career already defined by two Olympic gold medals. The victory represents a significant return to the summit of European competition after Sadulaev had gone without a continental title for several years.
Sadulaev was not alone in representing Russia at the top of the standings. Akhmed Usmanov and David Baev also delivered gold medal performances at the championships, underlining the continued strength of Russian freestyle wrestling on the European stage.
Why it matters
- Sadulaev's European title drought is now over, reinforcing his standing as the dominant force in his weight class globally.
- The haul of three Russian gold medals signals a powerful collective showing from the nation at the continental level.
- Sadulaev's return to the top of the European podium raises the stakes heading into future world-level competition.
