The best Bulgarian Greco-Roman wrestler, Armen Nazarian, rose to the occasion and collected his fifth European title last week. Though only 160cm high and 60kg in weight, he has been unbeatable not only in Bulgaria, but throughout world.

In Seinajoki, Finland, at the 49th European Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship from April 11 to 14, the 28-year-old was very convincing in the 60kg category, reminding of his best year, 1998, when he was named the best Greco-Roman wrestler on the planet out of all categories. In fact, the Bulgarian born in the Armenian town Masis, had two more stellar years, 1996 and 2000, when he became an Olympic champion.

The European gold in Seinajoki was in a way a return match for the title he lost last autumn at the World Championships in Patra, Greece, when he fought with a torn meniscus and had to yield in the semis to Armenian Karen Mnacakanian.

"I am most pleased that I managed to return to Mnacakanian the loss in Patra, when I was injured," Nazarian said after the close of the championship. "I gave him no chances, although this meeting was more difficult than the final."

In fact, the final was not easy either. Nazarian began in an aggressive fashion and his rival, Rustam Mambetov of Russia, was put in a parter. Nazarian attacked, but he was countered and lost two points. This, however, did not startle him and he headed onto the denouement of the fight. Mambetov lost the initiative again and was thrown to the mat. This time, Nazarian managed to pass him through a bridge and level out.

Immediately after that he used a seemingly easy technique - spinning below hand and taking a 4-2 lead. At the end of the fight, Nazarian skillfully counterattacked and took one more point and with this won the match 5-2.

"I am happy that I managed to reach the European top for the fifth time. I dedicate this title to my son Edmond and my wife Inga," said Nazarian.

Last year was perhaps the only time in the past seven or eight years when Nazarian did not win a medal from a big international competition. His series of European Championship titles began back in 1994. He won silver medals in 1996 and 2000. He was also the bronze medallist from the European championships in 1997, 1998 and 1999. In 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2002 he was the winner in the Nikola Petrov tournament, one of the oldest and most authoritative Greco-Roman style competitions, which takes place each year in Bulgaria.

Last week also proved successful for the entire Greco-Roman team of Bulgaria. After the remarkable victory of the team in Sofia back in 1999, they now captured second place, behind only the superteam of Russia. One of the greatest contributions to this fantastic finish came from one of the most persistent competitors in Bulgaria - 30-year-old Tenio Tenev, who in Seinajoki won the silver medal, a peak in his long career. Tenev, who was off of the national team for six years, fought in the final against Rinat Bikkinin of Russia, and lost the championship title in a close fight in the 55kg category.

The fine finish also came courtesy of fourth places by Vladislav Metodiev (84kg) and Ali Mollov (96kg), the seventh spot of Alexander Sandev (66kg), the ninth of Tano Proshenski and the 12th of Sergey Murenko (120kg).

In the final team rankings, Bulgaria was second with 39 points after Russia with 59 points and before Belarus with 31 points. Fourth was Turkey with 29, and fifth was Ukraine with 27.