National wrestler claims gold in Finland

By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijani wrestler Shahin Mukhtarov has won a gold medal at the Junior World Championships held in Tampere, Finland.

He defeated Armenian Karen Zurabyan in the final bout, Azertac reported.

The wrestler also surpassed Kerry Imran from Canada, Akbar Kenjebek Ulung from Kyrgyzstan and Aslan Minkailov from Russia.

The national team includes Shakhin Mukhtarov (50 kg), Ali Ragimzade (60 kg), Ismail Abdullaev (74 kg) and Alimagomed Alihmaev (96 kg).

Wrestling remains the most popular sport in the county and is overseen by the National Wrestling Federation, which was established in 1993.

The Rio Games opened a new page in wrestling for Azerbaijan. The country became one of only two nations ever to increase the number of medals achieved in five consecutive Games.