At the U20 World Wrestling Championships in Bratislava, Hungary showcased its prowess in Greco-Roman wrestling by clinching three medals. László Koppány led the charge by securing a silver medal, while Zalán Toplak and Petro Zsitovoz each took home a bronze. This impressive haul highlights Hungary’s strength in the sport, with Koppány competing fiercely in the 130kg category.
Koppány’s journey to the final was marked by a series of victories against formidable opponents from China, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Egypt. However, in the gold-medal match, he was bested by Russia’s Ali Ilyasov, who is both a defending world and European champion. The match concluded with an 8–0 score, awarding Koppány the silver medal, a commendable achievement on such a competitive stage.
Zalán Toplak, representing Ferencváros, demonstrated his skill in the 77kg category by securing a bronze medal. After entering the repechage round, Toplak made a strong comeback, defeating Georgia’s Giorgi Gogelashvili with a decisive 10–2 victory. This win marked the first World Championship medal of Toplak’s career, underscoring his potential and determination in the sport.
In the 67kg category, Petro Zsitovoz also emerged victorious with a bronze medal, overcoming an early setback to defeat Egypt’s U23 world champion Mohamed Abdelrehim 11–3 in the placement match. Zsitovoz’s performance was a testament to his resilience and technical prowess, contributing to Hungary’s impressive medal tally at the championships.
The event kicked off with Greco-Roman wrestling, drawing eight Hungarian athletes to compete as part of a 22-member delegation. This successful outing not only highlights Hungary’s depth in wrestling talent but also sets a promising foundation for future competitions on the international stage.