Greg Torisian of the World Team Training Center has earned the tremendous honor of qualifying for the 2026 U17 Greco‑Roman World Championships. His dedication, discipline, and talent reflect the highest standards of our sport. However, despite his qualifications, Greg may not be able to travel to Azerbaijan due to legitimate safety concerns related to his Christian Armenian heritage and the region’s geopolitical climate.

 Safety Concerns Related to Armenian Descent

Although Greg is a U.S.‑born citizen, his Christian Armenian ancestry places him at heightened risk when entering Azerbaijan, and he may not be allowed to enter Azerbaijan. People of Armenian ancestry are not granted entry into Azerbaijan. Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan have been longstanding, and individuals of Armenian descent—regardless of nationality—have historically faced discrimination, detainment, kidnapping, torture, and often physical attack by the general population and government forces. International observers and human rights organizations have documented these concerns.

Context: The Nagorno‑Karabakh Conflict

The safety concerns are further intensified by the history of the Nagorno‑Karabakh conflict, a decades‑long territorial and ethnic dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The conflict has resulted in significant violence and documented war crimes by Azerbaijan in attempts to achieve ethnic cleansing and erase the Christian Armenian identity from the ancestral homeland of the Armenian people, which dates back centuries. Even during periods of ceasefire, tensions have remained high, and individuals of Armenian descent have continued to face heightened scrutiny and risk when traveling to Azerbaijan. For a minor athlete, these risks are unacceptable. No competition, regardless of its prestige, outweighs the responsibility to protect a young athlete’s safety and well‑being.

 Cultural and Identity Considerations

Greg’s Armenian heritage is a meaningful part of his identity. His culture emphasizes resilience, family, and a deep sense of belonging—values that shape him both as a wrestler and as a young person. Asking him to travel to a country where his ancestry could make him a target and a bounty places him in an unfair and potentially dangerous situation.  International sports are meant to unite people, but cultural and political tensions can spill into athletic environments. For Greg, the risk is not theoretical; it is personal.

The Need for Neutral and Safe Host Nations

This situation highlights a broader responsibility within international sport. United World Wrestling (UWW) must select neutral, safe host nations where all athletes—regardless of ancestry, ethnicity, or cultural background—can participate without fear. When geopolitical conflicts create environments where certain athletes may be endangered simply because of their heritage, the fairness and inclusivity of global competition are compromised. UWW must remain aware of conflicts between nations—such as the Nagorno‑Karabakh conflict—and the real‑world risks faced by athletes who descend from those regions. No athlete should be placed in a position where their safety is jeopardized due to circumstances entirely outside their control.

 Why This Decision Is Necessary

This decision is not political. It is about protecting a young athlete who has earned his place on the world stage. Greg deserves to compete, but he also deserves to do so in a place where his safety is guaranteed and his identity is respected.