The breeze sweeping in from the Caspian Sea sent sand moving across the competition area throughout the day, but it did little to slow an intense opening programme.

Wrestlers representing 14 countries took to the sand for the fourth stop of the 2026 series. With just the season finale in Katerini, Greece, to come, there was a real sense of urgency around every contest as athletes fought for valuable ranking points and places in the knockout rounds.

The occasion carried added significance for the host city. Baku was officially declared the World Capital of Sport for 2026 by the European Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation, taking over the designation from Monaco. Recognised for its extensive sporting infrastructure and commitment to participation, inclusion and elite competition, the Azerbaijani capital provided a fitting backdrop for its first World Series event.

The home wrestlers quickly gave the spectators reason to raise their voices. Ashraf Ashirov produced one of Azerbaijan’s strongest performances in the men’s 90 kg division, completing the group stage with three victories. He opened by defeating Türkiye’s Omer Ozyildirim before overcoming Georgia’s Evsem Shvelidze and Tornike Tulashvili.

Ramiz Hasanov matched his compatriot’s unbeaten start in the same weight category. Hasanov began with an emphatic win against Georgia’s Iuza Tsertsvadze and maintained his momentum against French opponents Sofiane Ben Boubaker and Mathis Mayrand. With Ashirov and Hasanov both progressing strongly, Azerbaijan ended the day with two serious medal contenders at 90 kg.

Vusal Aliyev also looked sharp in the men’s 80 kg competition. Backed by the home support, he recorded convincing wins over Serbia’s Miljan Rajic and Georgia’s Diego Makharadze. Javid Niftalizade added to Azerbaijan’s success in the division by defeating Sahib Dadashov and France’s Hugo Cuenot.

The hosts remained prominent among the heavyweights, where Jamal Feyziyev secured consecutive victories over Georgia’s Mamuka Kordzaia and Giorgi Chikhradze. Ukraine’s Vazha Daiauri also emerged unbeaten from his opening contests, ensuring a competitive knockout stage at +90 kg.

Moldova’s Irina Ringaci supplied one of the standout displays in the women’s competition. Fast, composed and clinical at 70kg, Ringaci won all three of her group bouts, defeating Ukraine’s Romana Vovchak and Azerbaijan’s Nigar Mirzazada and Zahra Karimzada.

One of the biggest results came in the women’s +70 kg category. Ukraine’s Daria Konstantynova opened with victory over compatriot Mariia Zenkina before overcoming American series leader Eliana Bommarito. Bommarito had started strongly against Greece’s Stefania Zacheila, but Konstantynova’s victory left the heavyweight contest wide open.

Ukraine also impressed in the lighter women’s divisions. Diana Rysova and Viktoriia Slobodeniuk collected two victories apiece at 50 kg, while Anastasiya Kravchenko and Oksana Moskalova remained firmly in contention at 60 kg.

As the sun began to drop and the opening session drew to a close, Azerbaijan could reflect on an excellent first day on home sand. The wind may have presented an additional challenge, but the wrestling remained fast and fiercely contested. With the group rounds decided and several leading names still in contention, Baku is set for a dramatic final day on the Caspian coast.