CAIRO — Egyptian wrestling is surging like never before, riding a wave of momentum that has thrust the nation into the global spotlight. Across Arab, continental, and international arenas, athletes are delivering high-impact performances, proving that the country is not just competing—it is shaping the future of individual sports worldwide.
From the bustling halls of Zagreb to the arenas of Minsk, the national flag has been flying high, carried by a new generation of wrestlers.
Mostafa Hussein set the tone by grabbing gold in the 72 kg Greco-Roman event at the February 2026 World Ranking Championships in Zagreb.
Not far behind, Omar Amin stepped up in Minsk. He took bronze at the 2026 Alexander Medved International, knocking off some tough contenders.
Behind these results lies an ambitious vision. Ibrahim Adel Mostafa, Secretary General of the Egyptian Wrestling Federation, explained that this ambition goes far beyond winning medals.
“Our roadmap is firmly set on the 2028 Summer Olympics,” Mostafa told The Egyptian Gazette.
“This year, God willing, we aim to win medals at the 2026 Mediterranean Games and the World Championships. Our goal is to build champions, not just collect medals.”
Continental stage
Egypt isn’t just making waves in competition—it’s becoming a go-to destination for major sporting events. From April 28 to May 3, the coastal city of Alexandria will host the 2026 African Wrestling Championships, welcoming Africa’s top athletes.
“Hosting the 2026 African Championships is a significant milestone for Egyptian wrestling,” Mostafa noted to the same paper. Earlier this year, Mostafa earned the highest refereeing rating from the International Wrestling Federation—a recognition that highlights Egypt’s referees on the world stage.
Senior, U20, and U17 wrestlers—from freestyle to Greco-Roman, men’s and women’s—will showcase their skills in Alexandria.
“We thank the International Federation for trusting us,” Mostafa said. “From the Ibrahim Mostafa World Ranking Championship in 2023 to the African Championships, the Paris 2024 qualifiers, and most recently the World Beach Wrestling League Finals in 2025, Egypt has demonstrated its ability to host world-class events.”
Top gear ahead
Preparations are already in full swing, with more than 110 wrestlers are currently engaged in training camps across multiple locations, getting themselves sharp for the big continental competition.
“The senior team is currently training at the Olympic Center in Maadi, while the youth and junior national squads are preparing in northern coastal cities, including Ras El-Bar and Port Said,” explained Mustafa, who comes from a distinguished wrestling legacy as the son of the legendary Adel Mustafa.
He added that the Egyptian Federation will work to provide an ideal environment for the participating wrestlers from all countries. The Romanian women’s national team headed to Hungary to train, while the women’s national team left for China.
On the administrative and organisational level, everything is on track. “The logistics are all set—hotels and venues confirmed, no issues,” Mostafa said.
World glory
Back to the mat—Mostafa Hussein’s gold in Zagreb in the 72kg Greco-Roman division at the World Ranking Championship in Zagreb, Croatia, in late February 2026. wasn’t just an individual triumph.
The journey to gold began with a close 2-1 win over a tough Georgian, squeezed by the Uzbek 2-1, and then totally dominated his Kazakh opponent 8-1, setting the stage for his final showdown.
By the time he faced his Georgian rival again in the final, Hussein was almost untouchable, winning 4-1 to take the world’s top spot.
Medved triumph
Omar Amin, meanwhile, added to Egypt’s medal haul with a bronze at the prestigious Alexander Medved International Tournament in Minsk, Belarus, also in February. The event brought together nearly 500 wrestlers from the world’s best.
A 6-0 win over the Kazakh champion, a strong 7-0 performance against the Belarusian contender, and a high-octane 8-6 battle against a Russian rival standout brought him to the medal rounds.
Amin ran into trouble with another Kazakh opponent, but turned things around with a strong 9-2 win to grab the bronze. That victory cements his status among Egypt’s elite wrestlers.
You can see Amin’s story lining up with Hussein’s recent success in Croatia. It’s proof that Egypt’s wrestling team is getting tougher and more competitive in big international competitions.
But it wasn’t just these two making headlines. Adham Ayman Gharib snagged bronze in the 63kg class at the Under-23 World Championships, another sign that Egypt’s talent pool keeps getting deeper.
Abdel-Latif Menea captured silver in the +130kg category at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, and Samar Hamza—a true fighter—marked her comeback from injury and childbirth with a bronze in the 76kg women’s freestyle.
Official praise
For his part, Goher Nabil, Minister of Youth and Sports, praised these triumphs, emphasising that the federation’s work system—overseas training camps, targeted international exposure, and structured preparation—is the backbone behind this new era of success.
Nabil highlighted that Hussein’s gold in Croatia and Amin’s bronze in Minsk are clear proof that the nation’s development plan is working.
Mostafa emphasised the wider significance: “These medals are the fruit of years of planning, focus, and state support, especially considering that both wrestlers are still just 21.”
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Minister Goher Nabil, as well as the executive bodies of the Youth and Sports Ministry, for their continuous support to the Federation,” Mostafa underlined.
Top standouts
With preparations intensifying and results mounting, Egyptian wrestling is hitting a turning point.
When it comes to standouts, the Secretary-General didn’t hold back: “We’re betting on Abdel-Latif Menea, Mohamed Gabr, Mostafa Hussein, Mohamed Hassan, Omar Amin, and Samar Hamza.”
Special attention is being given to female wrestlers, with the federation aiming to qualify a strong team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“We are building a generation capable of competing at the highest level,” Mostafa told The Gazette. “Our long-term vision is to make Egypt a consistent contender on the world’s biggest stages.”
Bright future
Egyptian wrestling is more than chasing medals. It’s about building a legacy that grows stronger with each victory.
You see it everywhere—from the coastal cities of Alexandria and Port Said to the global arenas in Europe and Asia, Egypt keeps showing the world it can build world-class athletes and put on top-notch events.
As Mostafa Hussein, Omar Amin, and the next generation of champions ready to take the mats, one thing’s obvious: Egypt’s wrestling isn’t just showing up—it’s rising, dominating, and setting the standard for the years ahead.
2026 African Championships
Prime highlights:
• Venue: Alexandria, Egypt – a historic city ready to host Africa’s best.
• Dates: April 28 – May 3, 2026.
• Age divisions: Seniors, U20, U17 – showcasing current stars and future champions.
• Competition styles: Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women’s wrestling.
• Facilities & Inspection: United World Wrestling inspection committees praised the top-tier venues and world-class hotels.
• Significance: Reinforces Egypt’s status as a premier continental host and a rising power in wrestling.
