Beach wrestling

Action-Packed Day One at Beach Wrestling Worlds

Saturday, October 6, 2018 - 20:39 By Marc Berman

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SARIGERME, Turkey (October 6th and 7th) --  The sun has set over the beach in Turkey as day one of the 2018 Beach Wrestling World Championships has come to an end. 

Qualification rounds took place for Cadet, Junior and Senior divisions today, setting the stage for tomorrow's thrilling finals matches.

With temperatures reaching 30 degree celsius defending champion Semen RADULOV (UKR) defeated Turkish opponents in both of his matches today at 70kg without being scored against. Tomorrow, Radulov will open the day with Vegard STROEM (NOR) in his first match and setting up a possible collision with Konstantine KHABALASHVILI (GEO) who also went undefeated today with just one point scored against him.

Jakob MAKARASHVILI (GEO) won three matches today in impressive fashion at 80kg and will take on teammate Jumber KVELASHVILI (GEO) in the semifinals. The other semifinal will be Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) against Efe Sami UNAL (TUR). Unal fell to Mykhail in the group round in a tight match, 2-1.

The returning 90kg champion Muhammad INAM (PAK) picked up where he left off last year cruising past both his opponents and will now face Mihai Nicolae PALAGHIA (ROU) in his third qualifying match. Patrik PUESPOEKI (HUN) went 1-1 on the day but pulled of the upset of Chris BORG (NOR) 3-0 and takes on Borg’s fellow countryman John Harald Foss FJELDBU (NOR) in his 3rd group match on Sunday.

The heavyweight title just may stay in Turkey with Baki SAHIN (TUR) and Irfan METE (TUR) both making the semifinal. Sahin faces scrappy Niazi IMPIS (GRE) and Mete takes on Rares Daniel CHINTOAN (ROU) in the other semifinal. Chintoan was a force on day one going undefeated in three matches.

In women’s action, Kamila BARBOSA VITO DA SILVA (BRA) takes on Sevil ALIOGLU (TUR) while Maria Alexandra CIOCLEA (ROU) will face teammate Stefania Claudia PRICEPUTU (ROU) in the 50kg semifinals. Barbosa and Aliogl are lined up for an exciting match as both athletes were in top form on Saturday. The winner could be the 2018 gold medalist at 50kg.

Reigning 60kg champion Francesca INDELICATO (ITA) is a star in the making, looking to take home her second world title in as many years. Indelicato ran into some trouble against Camila FAMA TRISTAO (BRA) in a round 2 match up. Indelicato was down by one point late before scoring a takedown in the closing seconds of the match for the victory. First-timer Jeannie Agnes KESSLER (AUT) will look to stop Indelicato run of making it two-in-a-row in the semifinals.

All eyes are on team Norway at 70kg as countrywomen Charlotte SKAUEN (NOR) and Cesilie Hoeivik MAGNUSSEN (NOR) will face off in a semifinal match. The Norwegians were dominate all day with a 5-1 record with Skauen winning her three matches with no points scored against. She brings a physicality that has yet to be stopped this weekend. On the other side of the bracket Beatrice DUKOV OANCEA (ROU) and Adina Elena POPESCU (ROU) will face off.

Aikaterini Eirini PITSIAVA (GRE) is the last roadblock in the way of the heavyweight title going home with team Romania. Pitsiava had 3 matches today defeating two Turkish opponents and Adina Ionela IRIMIA (ROU), the youngest competitor in the women’s Seniors. If Irimia can win her semifinal match, we could see a rematch in the final.

Match by match results can be found here: https://bit.ly/2zVYfgB

Day 2 will start 7am GMT tomorrow, watch the live stream on United World Wrestling

 

#Grappling

U20 European Grappling: Poland Shines but Russia Remains Best

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - 10:06 By United World Wrestling Press

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YEREVAN, Armenia (May 26) — Poland flexed its strength in the heavier divisions while Russia piled up medals across categories at the U20 European Grappling Championships in Yerevan on Tuesday, with Germany also celebrating a standout gold through Damian David GRANCZYK at 66kg.

The Poles were particularly impressive in the upper weights. Kamil Konrad DZIKOWSKI claimed the 100kg title ahead of Yaroslav TOROPII (UKR). Armenia’s Samvel ATIKYAN taking bronze on home soil.

Mateusz KUCA (POL) resigned supreme at 84kg. Poland also produced medallists in 92kg, where Jakub JUCHNO finished on the top of the podium ahead of Ion SILI (MDA), underlining the country’s growing depth in the heavier classes of European grappling.

Russia, however, once again showed its overall dominance by placing wrestlers on nearly every podium. Russian athletes won titles at 62kg, 71kg, 77kg and 130kg, while also securing multiple silver and bronze medals.

At 130kg, Abubakr MAKASHARIPOV (RUS) took gold ahead of Ukraine’s Bohdan AKOPOV, with Gasan KHASAEV (RUS) settling for bronze in an all-Eastern European dominated podium.

Germany’s Granczyk was among the day’s standout performers. He captured the 66kg title, finishing ahead of Stanislav ROMANCHENKO (RUS), while Ukraine picked up both bronze medals through Vadym SIROSHTAN and Dmytro PRUT.

Russia swept the top two spots at 62kg through gold medallist Fedor RIABOV and silver winner Zaur ILIASOV, with Edgar SIMONYAN (ARM) finishing third. The hosts had more to celebrate in the 58kg category, where Aram SARGSYAN (ARM) beat Vanik SARGSYAN (ARM) to win the gold. Adam Magomedovich MAGOMEDOV (RUS) clinched the bronze.

At 71kg, Oliwier PRZERWA (POL) earned silver behind Sultanakhmed SULTANAKHMEDOV (RUS), while Malik MUKHTAROV completed a double podium finish for Russia with bronze.

Ukraine enjoyed a strong campaign too, especially in the middle and heavier weights. Suleiman MAMUTOV (UKR) won silver at 77kg and Lev TSEMKO (UKR) added bronze at 84kg.

In the women's section, Russia and Poland continued their stranglehold, winning two gold medals each. But the loudest cheers inside the arena were reserved for Taguhi KHONDKARYAN, who finished ahead of fellow Armenian Mkrtaryan YELENA in a home-dominated 64kg category.

At 49kg, Hanna Gabriela SZPAKOWSKA (POL) broke the heart of home favourite Astghik HAYRAPETYAN (ARM) clinched the title with a 18-6 win in the final.

Russia then tightened its grip on the tournament. Elmira GALLIAMOVA won the 53kg gold medal in an all-Russian final against Valeriia SHCHIROVA, while Alva Linnea PANNWITZ (GER) claimed bronze to ensure another podium finish for the Germans after Damian Granczyk’s triumph in the men’s section.

The 58kg category also belonged entirely to Russia. Alisa GOLUB (RUS) defeated compatriot Ilda DAVLETSHINA (RUS) in the final, with Ukraine’s Kseniia POLIAK taking bronze.

Poland, which had already impressed in the heavier men’s divisions, carried that momentum into the women’s 90kg event. Maja Teresa SALAMON (POL) took gold, while compatriot Karolina KARALUS added bronze, sandwiching Russia’s Vlada BOIAKCHIEVA in second place.

The results underlined Russia’s continued dominance in European grappling, finishing on top of the team rankings in both, men and women's sections.