CAIRO — In a competition defined by power, precision and relentless grit, Egypt delivered a tour de force at the 2026 African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria. The hosts stamped their authority on the tournament, both on and off the mat.
From the opening contests to the final medal bouts, Egypt set the pace and never relinquished control. Backed by an electric home crowd in Alexandria — often called the ‘Bride of the Mediterranean’ for its beauty — the hosts did not merely compete; they imposed themselves on the tournament.
It became a full-scale continental showcase, bringing together Africa’s elite across freestyle, Greco-Roman, women’s wrestling and beach wrestling. More than 500 athletes from nearly 30 nations battled on the mats at the indoor arena of Borg El Arab Stadium.
But when the dust finally settled, the Pharaohs stood alone at the summit.
Golden haul
Egypt finished the tournament with a haul of 90 medals: 55 gold, 25 silver and 10 bronze — a statement of depth as much as dominance. The numbers tell one story, but the way they wrestled says even more. Across every weight and age group, Egypt showcased sharp technique, steady nerves and a clear competitive edge.
“Egypt’s wrestlers didn’t just win; they controlled bouts, dictated rhythm, and repeatedly outclassed continental rivals in both physicality and mat intelligence,” Ibrahim Adel, Secretary General of the Egyptian Wrestling Federation and director of the African Championships, told The Egyptian Gazette.
System strength
Behind the medal table lies a structured programme that officials say has been in development for over 10 months. It involves coordinated work across technical, medical, and administrative departments — everyone pulled together to get the team ready.
“The preparations were focused on getting the athletes into top physical and technical shape,” Adel said.
That intensity carried directly onto the mat, with nearly 30 African nations raising the standard and piling pressure onto every bout.
Age sweep
Egypt’s superiority wasn’t confined to the senior mat. Across all age categories, the country produced a conveyor belt of medals and emerging talent.
At Under-17 level, Egypt secured 29 medals (17 gold, 9 silver, 3 bronze), signalling a pipeline of wrestlers already competing at continental level.
The Under-20 squad went even further, collecting 25 medals (19 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze).
At senior level, they kept their foot on the gas with 24 medals (14 gold, 8 silver, 2 bronze), cementing their position as Africa’s benchmark wrestling nation.
Even in beach wrestling, Egypt showed balance and adaptability, adding further medals across both youth and senior categories, ensuring its dominance extended across every discipline on show.
Global praise
Egypt’s success was not limited to results alone. Delegates noticed how well the event ran, too. Nenad Lalovic, president of United World Wrestling, praised the flawless organisation and the top-notch facilities.
The governing body’s endorsement reinforced Egypt’s growing reputation as a reliable host of major international sporting events, with Alexandria once again delivering a polished continental spectacle.
Rising talent
One of the standout moments of the tournament came from Abdullah Hassouna. He’s just 16, but he pulled off a move so stunning it left the crowd speechless — it blew up online too.
Officials described it as extraordinary, and that moment turned the teenager into a breakout star.
Looking ahead
Egypt’s ambitions show no sign of slowing. Plans are already under way for a packed international calendar. The Greco-Roman squad is heading to a Grand Prix in Hungary. Freestyle wrestlers are set for a high-performance camp in Kazakhstan. The Mediterranean Games are looming in August.
Attention will soon turn to the World Championships across multiple age groups, where Egypt aims to translate continental supremacy into global competitiveness.
Golden legacy
From Alexandria’s mats, Egypt delivered more than medals. It delivered a statement of intent — a reaffirmation of dominance and a clear signal that a new generation is already stepping into place.
The mats may have been rolled up in Alexandria, but Egypt’s wrestling story is still unfolding. It shows no sign of slowing down.
