Armenian Greco-Roman wrestler, an Olympic Champion (2016) a three-time World Champion (2014, 2015, 2017) Artur Alexanyan started with victory at the European Wrestling Championship underway in Rome. In the competition of the 97kg weight category Alexanyan defeated Jenk Ildmin representing Turkey by 7:1.

The Armenian will next face World and European Vice champion Kiril Milov of Bulgaria in the quarter finals of the tournament Another representative of Armenia Gevorg Gharibyan, competing in the 60 kg weight category, overcame Augustin Bojanov-Spanov of Argentina in the qualification round by 9:1.