Armenian wrestler Arsen Harutyunyan determined to claim world title

Four-time European champion Arsen Harutyunyan says he remains determined to secure a world title after winning bronze in the men’s freestyle 57kg category at the 2025 World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb.

“We did not go to Zagreb with bronze in mind. Until the semifinals, Arsen defeated tougher opponents. He made a small mistake in the semifinals,” Armenia’s freestyle wrestling head coach Habetnak Kurghinyan told a press conference on Monday, noting that expectations had been higher and the athlete should have reached the final.

Harutyunyan, however, said he was in excellent shape for this year’s championships.

“In all the years I’ve competed at World and European Championships, I have never been as well-prepared and calm as this year. I was very close, but just a little short of becoming world champion. I will patiently wait for that day. I will not stop training at the same pace. One day, that moment will come and I will become world champion,” the wrestler said.

Reflecting on his semifinal loss, he admitted: “I wrestled well, but in the semifinals I didn’t understand what happened. I missed the moment. But I’m not discouraged. I’ll keep going and aim to win gold at the next World Championships.”