Turkmen athlete Alp Arslan Begenjov, reigning world junior freestyle wrestling champion, is among the favourites for the upcoming World Youth Championships in Bulgaria. This was reported by the IIC.

The 19-year-old wrestler, who last year became the first junior world champion in the history of Turkmenistan, will defend his title in the 79 kg weight category. In last year's tournament, Begenjov won five convincing victories with a total score of 46:0, without conceding a single point.

Begenjov's main rival at the upcoming championship is considered to be Iranian wrestler Mehdi Yusefi, who, after losing to the Turkmen athlete last year, has achieved significant success, including the titles of Asian champion among adults and world champion among juniors under 23 years old.

The World Freestyle Wrestling Championship for athletes under 20 will begin on 17 August in Samokov, Bulgaria.