Hugo Baff secured Sweden's first men's wrestling medal at a senior championship since 2020, according to multiple reports. The bronze in the 77 kg Greco-Roman category also marked the first medal for a wrestler from Malmö since 2015, when Zacharias Tallroth took bronze for Sparta.
Baff's path to the podium was unconventional. After losing his first match, he reached the bronze match through repechage. The bronze match against Moldovan Alexandrin Gutu was tight and eventless, with Baff initially trailing 0-1 after being penalized to parterre. The opponent received the same penalty in the second period, and Baff was awarded a point for being in the superior position. Under current rules, the wrestler who first gained the superior position wins at a 1-1 tie, a rule that was reversed previously. Baff needed one more point and won when Gutu was forced to flee the mat with 12 seconds left.
He has fought three bronze matches in youth championships but lost. And now he goes and wins in a senior championship. That is so mentally strong of him.
Baff had previously competed in several youth championships at European and world level but never reached the podium. According to Sydsvenskan, his coach Jörgen Olsson described the achievement as mentally strong, noting that Baff had fought three bronze matches in youth championships and lost, but now won in a senior championship. Olsson also said he was moved and that Baff was so on point all week, calling it incredibly big for Hugo, the club, and Swedish wrestling. According to Expressen Sport, Baff described the victory as the best thing he had ever experienced.
In the women's competition, Tindra Sjöberg won a bronze medal in the 68 kg category, dominating her match against Alina Shevchenko of Belarus with a 10-0 victory. Sjöberg reached the bronze match after losing her quarterfinal to Nsrein Bas of Turkey, the U23 world champion from last year. When Bas reached the final, Sjöberg got a spot in the bronze match. As a junior, the 26-year-old Sjöberg won a U23 World Championship bronze, a U23 European Championship bronze, and a Junior European Championship gold.
I am moved. This is absolutely fantastic. Hugo was so on point and I have felt it all week.
The exact date and location of the championships have not been specified in reports, nor whether any other Swedish medalists emerged. The significance of the rule change that decided Baff's match remains unclear.
This is so incredibly big for Hugo, for the club and for Swedish wrestling.
This is damn the best thing I've ever experienced.