Malhas Amoyan Becomes UWW Special Award Winner: Details

The International Wrestling Federation (UWW) has concluded the 2025 season by honoring the best athletes of the year. In the prestigious category of 'Comeback of the Year,' Armenian Greco-Roman wrestler and two-time world champion Malhas Amoyan has been declared the winner.

UWW has specifically highlighted Amoyan's journey, emphasizing his willpower and determination. After becoming the world champion in the 72 kg weight category in Oslo in 2021, Amoyan decided to move up to the Olympic weight class of 77 kg. This transition was not without its challenges.

In the world championships of 2022 and 2023, as well as the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Amoyan found himself just a step away from gold, settling for bronze medals. However, the year 2025 marked a turning point for him. At the World Championship held in Zagreb, the 26-year-old wrestler showcased one of the best matches of his career. In the finals, he achieved a resounding 9-1 victory over Naohisa Kousaka from Japan, the champion of the Paris Olympic Games, effectively avenging his loss in the Olympic semifinals.

'I had become a world champion in the 72 kg category, but I truly wanted to win a gold medal in the 77 kg class as well. I fought against injuries for two years, and there were failures. But I am happy that I was prepared both mentally and physically, and functionally for the World Championship. Thank God I was able to win and become a double world champion,' Amoyan stated.