CAIRO — Egyptian Greco-Roman standout Mostafa Hussein delivered a commanding performance on the world stage, capturing gold at the World Wrestling Ranking Championship in Zagreb, Croatia, from February 5 to 8.
Competing in one of the season’s most demanding international events, Hussein rose above nearly 500 elite wrestlers from 24 countries, confirming the tournament’s stature as a premier global ranking contest.
Hussein’s title run was defined by an impressive fusion of technical precision, physical authority, and tactical awareness, underlining his steady ascent among the world’s top Greco-Roman wrestlers.
The triumph once again highlights the strength of Egyptian wrestling on the international stage, reinforcing the nation’s ability to challenge the global elite and claim top honors in major competitions.
Serving as the opening world ranking event of the 2026 season, the Zagreb championship officially launched the international calendar, offering athletes critical ranking points toward qualification for continental and world championships, as well as future Olympic qualification pathways.
Hussein sealed his gold-medal performance with a composed and decisive 4–1 victory over the Georgian wrestler in the final bout, crowning a tournament run that firmly established him as one of the season’s early standout performers.
Road to gold
Hussein began his campaign with a narrow but decisive 2–1 victory over the Georgian champion in the opening round. He maintained his momentum in the second round, overcoming the Uzbek competitor by the same score.
In the semi-final, the Egyptian standout delivered one of his most commanding performances, overpowering the Kazakh wrestler 8–1 to advance to the final.
The championship match saw Hussein reaffirm his superiority, once again defeating the Georgian opponent 4–1 to claim the gold medal in the 72 kg category.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for Egyptian wrestling and reflects the growing strength and development of the nation’s Greco-Roman wrestling program.
State support
Minister of Youth and Sports, Ashraf Sobhy, extended his congratulations to Mostafa, emphasising that the gold medal reflects the strategic support and sustained investment provided by the Egyptian state to its sports champions.
The minister highlighted the importance of success in world ranking tournaments, noting their role in enhancing Egypt’s international sporting profile, particularly in Greco-Roman wrestling, which continues to show notable progress.
Sobhy also confirmed that the ministry has made significant efforts in recent periods to support Hussein’s return to international competition under the Egyptian flag, as part of a broader national strategy aimed at strengthening Egypt’s achievements in individual sports.
Egyptian delegation
The Egyptian Greco-Roman wrestling delegation at the World Ranking Championship was headed by Mahmoud Akasha, member of the Egyptian Wrestling Federation’s Board. The technical staff was led by head coach Ezzat Arkimbetov, with assistance from Basem Metwally.
The Egyptian team competed across multiple weight categories, including Mostafa Hussein, the tournament’s gold medallist, as part of preparations for upcoming continental and international championships.
