Azerbaijan set to welcome Beach Wrestling World Series to its sands for first time ever
This marks the third new location on the 2026 calendar, as well as a landmark weekend for the host nation.
Azerbaijan will field a record 15 athletes — its largest ever World Series delegation — while Azerbaijani women will compete in the series for the first time. The home team will be led by head coach Oyan Nazariani, the 2019 +90 kg Beach Wrestling World Champion, who won his title in the year the World Series was launched.
With 62 athletes representing 15 different countries and only one event remaining after Baku, the race for the 2026 World Series titles is entering a decisive phase.
The men's 70 kg division brings together some of the leading contenders, including Ukraine’s Oleksii Boruta, four-time world champion Levan Kelekhsashvili from Georgia, and Quentin Sticker from France.
Home hopes will be high in the 80 kg category, where both Vusal Aliyev and Sahib Dadashov from Azerbaijan are in with a chance of winning the title, while Ashraf Ashirov returns in the 90 kg category after winning in Da Nang and Batumi.
The +90 kg field is stacked. Reigning World Champion Mamuka Kordzaia of Georgia will be joined by Vazha Daiauri of Ukraine, Fatih Yasarli of Turkey, and Giorgi Meshvildishvili of Azerbaijan, with crucial World Series points up for grabs in Baku.
The women's title races are just as compelling.
In the 50 kg category, leading contenders include Viktoriia Slobodeniuk and Diana Rysova from Ukraine, while the 60 kg category brings together Sofiia Kushnir, Oksana Moskalova and reigning world champion Anastasiya Kravchenko, all from Ukraine.
Olena Nikitinska (UKR) is the favourite in the 70 kg category, which also includes the defending world champion, Irina Ringaci. Meanwhile, three-time title holder Eliana Bommarito and Stefania Zacheila are the standout competitors in the +70 kg category, where vital points are at stake.
A new country. A record Azerbaijani team. Sixty-two athletes from 15 different countries. Two stops left. For the first time, the World Series will hit the sand in Azerbaijan.
Baku, get ready for the race to win the 2026 Beach Wrestling World Series titles.
Competition begins on 28 August. Those unable to attend in person can follow the action across the official Beach Wrestling World Series social and digital media channels, including YouTube, the website, and Instagram for live updates, results, highlights, and behind-the-scenes coverage throughout the weekend.
