Azerbaijan has officially opened the 2026 U-17 World Wrestling Championships, welcoming around 700 young athletes from more than 60 countries to the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku.
The opening ceremony on July 27 brought together senior Azerbaijani officials and international wrestling leaders, including Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation President Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov, Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee Chingiz Huseynzade, and United World Wrestling (UWW) President Nenad Lalović, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.
The ceremony began with the national anthem of Azerbaijan before speakers highlighted the country's role as a host of major international sporting events.
Jabbarov said Azerbaijan's investment in sports infrastructure and government support had helped establish the country as a venue for high-profile international competitions, while thanking organisers and the Ministry of Youth and Sports for staging the tournament.
Gayibov described the championships as a celebration of sport, saying Baku has become an established destination for international competitions. He added that the performances of Azerbaijani athletes on the world stage reflected the country's continued sporting development.
Huseynzade said hosting the U-17 championships would help develop the next generation of wrestlers by giving young athletes valuable international experience.
Lalović wished competitors success and said he hoped many would go on to represent their countries at future Olympic Games. He also thanked Azerbaijan, its National Olympic Committee and President Ilham Aliyev for their support in organising the tournament.
The ceremony concluded with the parade of participating nations' flags and a cultural performance.
The championships feature approximately 700 wrestlers competing across freestyle, women's wrestling and Greco-Roman disciplines. Azerbaijan is represented by a 29-member team.
By Aghakazim Guliyev
