Hugo Baff wins Sweden's first men's wrestling medal in six years

According to multiple reports, Baff lost his first match but reached the medal match through repechage. In the bronze match, Baff was the first to be penalized to the ground, falling behind 0-1, but his opponent received the same penalty in the second period, leading to a 1-1 tie. Baff won due to the rule that the first to gain an advantage wins in a tie. He secured victory with a point from a mat escape with twelve seconds remaining.

Sweden has not taken a medal on the men's side since 2020, and Malmö has not done so since 2015 when Zacharias Tallroth won a bronze for Sparta. Baff's achievement ends a long drought for Swedish men's wrestling.

According to Sydsvenskan, Jörgen Olsson, Baff's coach at Limhamn, described the win as mentally strong, noting that Baff had lost three bronze matches in youth championships but now won in a senior championship. Olsson also said he was moved and that Baff was on point all week, calling the victory incredibly big for Hugo, the club, and Swedish wrestling. According to Expressen Sport, Baff described the experience as the best thing he had ever experienced.

Baff has been far ahead in several youth championships at European and world level but has not reached the podium, having lost three bronze matches in youth championships. This senior medal marks a breakthrough.

In the women's competition, Tindra Sjöberg won a bronze medal in the 68 kg category by defeating Alina Sjevtjenko of Belarus with a 10-0 lead. Sjöberg reached the bronze match after losing her quarterfinal to Nsrein Bas of Turkey, who went on to the final. Sjöberg is 26 years old and has previously won a U23 World Championship bronze, a U23 European Championship bronze, and a Junior European Championship gold.