Tirana: The European Wrestling Championships in Tirana continued with strong performances from Azerbaijani athletes, highlighted by a gold medal from Islam Bazarqanov. According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Bazarqanov competed in the 57 kg weight category, where he faced Musa Mekhtikhanov in the final. The Azerbaijani wrestler secured an 8:6 victory to become European champion, marking a major achievement for the national team. In the 65 kg division, Rashid Babazade advanced to the bronze medal bout after defeating Belgium's Ayub Musayev 4:2. However, he fell short in the medal match, losing 0:7 to Armenia's Vazgen Tevanyan. Azerbaijan also claimed a bronze medal in the 79 kg category through Jabrayil Hajiyev, who dominated North Macedonia's Rasul Shapiyev with an 8:0 victory. At 61 kg, Nureddin Novruzov delivered a strong performance in the early rounds, defeating Moldova's Leomid Kolesnik by technical superiority (17:6) to reach the semifinals. He was then beaten 3:14 by Albania's world champion Zelimkha n Abakarov and will compete for bronze. In the 74 kg category, Turan Bayramov progressed to the final after defeating neutral athlete Farhad Nurikhorjestan 3:2 and Belarus' Nikita Mayevski 8:0. He then overcame Georgia's Giorgi Elbakidze in the semifinals to secure his place in the final. Arseniy Djioyev impressed in the 86 kg division, defeating Ukraine's Denis Bykov (10:0) and Moldova's Yevgeni Mihaelyan (11:0) by technical superiority. He continued his dominant run with a 12:2 win over Latvia's Ivars Samusonoks in the semifinals to reach the final. In the 92 kg category, Ali Tsokayev advanced to the final after victories over Belarus' Yaraslav Yadkovski (10:0), Georgia's Miriani Maisuradze (5:0), and Switzerland's Samuel Scherrer (6:0). Meanwhile, in the 125 kg division, Giorgi Meshvildishvili defeated Armenia's Khachatur Khachatryan on criteria (5:5) to reach the semifinals. He then beat Trkiye's Hakan Bykçinqil 3:1 to book a place in the final. The Azerbaijani team continues to demonstrate strong fo rm across multiple weight categories, with several wrestlers still in contention for medals.