Armenia Earns Olympic Berths Through Rising Stars Tevanyan and Harutyunyan

Thursday, March 18, 2021 - 19:47 By Eric Olanowski

BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 18) --- It was an emotional day for Armenian wrestlers as rising stars Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) and Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) shined bright and secured their nation’s ticket to the Tokyo Olympic Games.

In total, 12 freestyle Olympic licenses were handed out through today’s European Olympic Games Qualifier at the BOK Sports Hall in the Hungarian capital city, with the top two wrestlers at each weight earning berths for their nations.

Coming into the weekend, arguably the biggest question hovering over the freestyle portion of the event was if Tevanyan could replicate his magical performance from December’s Individual World Cup where he stunned then-reigning world bronze medalist Ismail MSUSKAEV (HUN), 9-1, to win 65kg gold.

On Friday, the powerful Tevanyan reached the finals with four wins – three of which came against former world medalists. He started his day with an 11-0 technical superiority victory over world bronze medalist and Rio Olympian Vladimir DUBOV (BUL). Following a 7-5 win against Niurgun SKRIABIN (BLR), the Armenian ended Olympic champion Vladimer KHINCHEGASHVILI’s (GEO) day with a controlled 6-4 victory. Although the 22-year-old only won by two points, he shut down the world and Olympic champion for well over five minutes of the bout.

Then, Tevanyan reached the finals with his third consecutive two-point victory. He downed two-time world medalist and fellow Individual World Cup champion, Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL), 6-4, to punch Armenia’s ticket to the Games.

Tevanyan will take on three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) in Friday night’s 65kg finals.

For a second straight Olympic cycle, Aliyev was responsible for qualifying Azerbaijan for the Olympic Games. In ’15, he claimed world gold and locked up Azerbaijan’s spot for the Rio Olympic Games.

The 29-year-old breezed to a 5-1 semifinal win over Maxim SACULTAN (MDA). He surrendered a step out point in the first, but from there, it was a one-sided bout. The Rio Olympic bronze medalist scored a pair of takedowns and a step out point to reach the finals, 5-1.

Arsen Haruyyunyan was the second Armenian youngster who sealed up an Olympic license on Thursday.

The wiry Harutyunyan thumped Andrii YATSENKO (UKR), 10-0, and reached the 57kg finals.

The 21-year-old led 1-0 after the first but used a nine-point second period to pick up the technical superiority victory. Harutyunyan, the ’19 European champion at 61kg, turned defense into offense twice in the second period – scoring a pair of counter-offensive takedowns, before thunderously slamming Yatsenko to his back for four addition points. He tacked on a step out point and claimed his spot in the finals with a 10-0 victory.

Haruyyunyan will meet Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) for 57kg gold on Friday night. Vangelov earned Bulgaria’s Olympic spot at 57kg with a near-flawless 9-1 semifinal performance against Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE).

The 27-year-old Bulgarian had a slender 1-0 advantage (inactivity) after the opening period but opened the widened the gap in the second period with two high crotch takedowns and pair of leg laces.

At 74kg, Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE) joined Aliyev in securing Azerbaijan’s nod at the Olympic Games. The Azeri controlled the 74kg semifinals match against Maxim VASILIOGLO (ROU) and reached the finals, 7-0.

He’ll take on ’18 world runner-up Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) on Friday night for 74kg gold. The Georgian surrendered six point in the opening 30 seconds against Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL). He gave up a takedown and two gut wrenches to start the match down 6-0, but surged back to pick up the first period fall via cradle and punch Georgia’s ticket to the Olympic Games.

Ali SHABANAU (BLR) finished a shot on Akhmed MAGAMAEV (BUL) in the 86kg semifinals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Ali SHABANAU (BLR) had a spectacular 86kg semifinals performance against Akhmed MAGAMAEV (BUL) and locked up Belarus’ Olympic berth with a 6-0 victory. The four-time world medalist will meet Osman GOCEN (TUR) for 86kg gold.

Gocen blasted his way to the 86kg gold-medal bout and locked up Turkey’s place at the Tokyo Olympic Games with a 16-6 win over ’18 world silver medalist Boris MAKOEV (SVK). Coming into the semifinals, Gocen’s opponent hadn’t conceded a single point on the day, but that all changed as the Turkish wrestler lit up the scoreboard with 16 points.

In the 97kg semifinals, Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) had no problem with Abraham CONYEDO (ITA), as the Belarusian dominated his way to an Olympic berth with a 9-0 shutout win.

The second Turkish wrestler who secured an Olympic license was European champion Suleyman KARADENIZ (TUR). He edged Erik THIELE (GER), 2-1, and will compete for gold on Friday night.

Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER) shows respect to Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) after their 125kg semifinals match. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER) gassed Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) in the 125kg match and rolled into the finals with what would have been a 15-6, but the Azeri was disqualified after giving up three cautions. The German trailed the former world runner-up 6-3 but used his high pace to wear down on the Azeri and scored 12 unanswered points.

The twelfth and final Olympic qualification placement went to Belarus, thanks to a last-second takedown by Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR).

The match was filled with tension and drama and was fairly even, but Khramiankou trailed 4-2 with less than 10 seconds left in the closing period. The 24-year-old Belarusian spun behind and worked to get Sharipov’s knee to touch, but no points were awarded.

As time expired, the brick came in from Khramiankou’s corner, and after an intense review that left the big man on his hands and knees praying, the Belarusian was awarded the two-point takedown and the 4-4 criteria victory.

Khramiankou’s win stopped Russian from earning their sixth freestyle Olympic berth. The final opportunity they’ll have to qualify 125kg for Tokyo will be the World Olympic Qualifier in Bulgaria (May 6-9).

Wrestling returns on Friday morning at 11:00 (local time) with women’s wrestling. Follow all the action live on www.uww.org.

Semifinal Results
57kg
GOLD - Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs. Georgi VANGELOV (BUL)
SEMIFINAL - Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Andrii YATSENKO (UKR), 10-0
SEMIFINAL - Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) df. Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE), 9-1

65kg
GOLD - Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) vs. Haji ALIYEV (AZE)
SEMIFINAL - Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL), 4-2
SEMIFINAL - Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. Maxim SACULTAN (MDA), 5-1

74kg
GOLD - Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) vs. Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE)
SEMIFINAL - Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) df. Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL), via fall
SEMIFINAL - Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE) df. Maxim VASILIOGLO (ROU), 7-0

86kg
GOLD - Osman GOCEN (TUR) vs. Ali SHABANAU (BLR)
SEMIFINAL - Osman GOCEN (TUR) df. Boris MAKOEV (SVK), 16-6
SEMIFINAL - Ali SHABANAU (BLR) df. Akhmed MAGAMAEV (BUL), 6-0

97kg
GOLD - Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) vs. Suleyman KARADENIZ (TUR)
SEMIFINAL - Suleyman KARADENIZ (TUR) df. Erik THIELE (GER), 2-1
SEMIFINAL - Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) df. Abraham CONYEDO (ITA), 9-0

125kg
GOLD - Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER) vs. Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR)
SEMIFINAL - Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR) df. Shamil SHARIPOV (RUS), 4-4
SEMIFINAL - Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER) df. Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE), 15-6

#WrestleBudapest

Which wrestlers can move in rankings before Paris Olympics?

Monday, June 3, 2024 - 11:39 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (June 3) -- The final Ranking Series before the 2024 Paris Olympics will begin this week in Budapest. With Paris 2024 qualified countries entering their wrestlers, the tournament will see a change in ranking and eventually in the seeds for the Games in August.

Freestyle, Women's Wrestling and Greco-Roman have six Olympic weight classes with ranking points awarded to wrestlers competing in these weights in Budapest. Since it's a Level C event, gold medalists will get 8000 points, silver medalists will get 6400 points and bronze medalists will be awarded 5200 points. If it's a Nordic system with only one bronze medalist, the fourth-placed wrestler will receive 4640 points. For details of how the Ranking Series points system works, click here.

Ranking points will also awarded based on the number of participants in a weight class. If a weight category has between two and five participants, the points will be reduced in half and only the first three wrestlers will be awarded. If a weight class has six to 12 participants, no additional point will be given.

Furthermore, if a weight class has 13 to 16 participants, 3000 additional points will be given to all wrestlers except those who were not ranked previously. If a weight class has more than 16 wrestlers, 5000 additional points will be given to all wrestlers barring the ones who did not have ranking points previously.

Here's a breakdown of which wrestlers can improve their ranking in Budapest.

Freestyle

57kg (9 entries)

World Championships silver medalist and currently ranked third in rankings Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) will have a chance to move to the second spot by winning the gold medal in Budapest. He currently has 37000 points and will be tied with number one ranked and world champion Stevan MICIC (SRB) at 45000 points. However, Micic's gold will keep him at the top spot.

Another big mover can be AMAN (IND) who is currently eighth with 20000 points. A bronze medal will push him to sixth spot pushing Zavur UGUEV (AIN) down. Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), currently ninth with 18200 points, can also jump to sixth by winning gold. Any lower position will only take him to the seventh spot.

65kg (7 entries)

Only world champion Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), and Haji ALIYEV (AZE) have a chance to move up the ladder. Muszukajev, ranked fourth with 45000 points, can jump all the way to the top with a gold medal. A silver, bronze or fourth-place finish in Budapest will make him second-ranked. Any other result for Muszukajev will take him to the third spot.

Aliyev will only move from 10th place to ninth, irrespective of where he finishes in the tournament.

74kg (11 entries)

With certainty that he will win gold, Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) will remain at his current third rank even if he does win. His 36500 points will become 44500 if he wins gold, still 500 less than second-ranked Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN).

A top-eight finish from Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), currently ranked 13th with 20200 points, will disrupt the other ranked wrestlers and eventually the seeds at the Olympics.

86kg (12 entries)

Top-ranked Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) can be relieved that he will go into the Olympics as the number one-ranked wrestler. With 52500 points, no other wrestler can replace him even by winning gold medal in Budapest.

Third-ranked Myles AMINE (SMR) is the closest with 44000 points but a gold medal in Budapest will only take him to 52000 points. But he will move to second spot with a 10th place or better finish. Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) will remain fourth even if he wins the gold medal in Budapest.

No other wrestler entered at 86kg will affect the seedings.

97kg (10 entries)

Third-ranked Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) is all set to become the top-ranked wrestler at 97kg heading into the Olympics. He will achieve that rank by finishing on the podium irrespective of the color of his medal.

Ibrahim CIFTCI (TUR), currently ranked fifth with 44700, can move to third spot with a gold medal in Budapest. However, he is set to be fourth irrespective of his result in Budapest.

Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) will also move up in the rankings. Currently ranked 11th, Yergali can move to eighth with a bronze medal or better finish. Mostafa ELDERS (EGY) can also break into the top 10 with a medal but is unlikely to change the seeds for the Olympics.

125kg (12 entries)

With world champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) locking up the top spot with 68000 points, the battle will be between Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) and Mason PARRIS (USA) for the second spot. Petriashvili is currently second with 57000 points while Parris is third with 54200 points.

To be second, Parris will have to win gold and hope that Petriasvili finishes outside the podium. If Parris wins gold and Petriasvili wins bronze, both wrestlers will be tied at 52200 points but Petriashvili will remain second due to his silver medal at the World Championships to Parris' bronze.

Nao KUSAKA (JPN) has a chance to become the top ranked wrestler at 77kg in Budapest. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Greco-Roman

60kg (11 entries)

Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) currently sits fourth with 37000 points but is expected to be third with a medal of any color in Budapest. He, however, cannot overtake the top two -- Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and Ligua CAO (CHN).

Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) may not be going to Paris 2024 but he will certainly change the current rankings. With 29025 points, he is seventh but any medal will put him at fifth. Ninth-ranked Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) will also improve his ranking but cannot move above seventh even if he wins the gold medal.

67kg (12 entries)

Not much will change at 67kg as Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) has locked up the top spot. He is entered for the Budapest tournament at 72kg. That means world champion and second-ranked Luis ORTA (CUB) will have a chance to close the gap but cannot overtake Jafarov whose lead is 17200 points.

Fourth-placed Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) will jump to third spot with a fifth-place finish or better as he is currently fourth with 31000 points.

Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) and Mamadassa SYLLA (FRA) will move up as well if they finish on the podium which eventually with affect the Olympic seeds.

77kg (18 entries)

World champion silver medalist and top-ranked Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) and Asian champion Nao KUSAKA (JPN), currently ranked third, will be battling for the top rank at 77kg. Suleymanov has 58100 points while Kusaka has 54200 points. For Kusaka to overtake Suleymanov, he will have to win the gold medal and hope that the Azerbaijan wrestler does not finish on the podium or finish three places better than Suleymanov.

Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) is set to improve his rank from sixth to fifth unless Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) wins a medal and Lomadze loses in the first round. Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) will also move up from seventh if he can finish better than Lomadze.

Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) can also be a top-five ranked wrestler if he can finish on the podium. It will depend on where Zhadrayev, Levai and Robert FRITSCH (HUN) finish in the tournament.

87kg (18 entries)

The shared world champions Ali CENGIZ (TUR) and David LOSONCZI (HUN) are set to consolidate the top two spots in the rankings. Cengiz has 58000 points and Losonczi has 45000 points with no chance of the latter overtaking the former.

Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) and Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) are currently ranked sixth and seventh with 33000 points and 31000 points. Both will certainly take the fourth and fifth spots at the end of the tournament but can be third as well. Tursynov will have to win a medal to be third while Novikov will have to win the gold medal and hope that Tursynov doesn't reach the final.

Bachir SID AZARA (ALG), currently 13th with 15800 points will finish in top ten by the end of this tournament and depending on his finish, can reach as high as the eighth spot.

97kg (11 entries)

Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) is ranked fourth with 41000 points and can only improve to third with a bronze medal or better finish. But he will have to also hope that Artur OMAROV (CZE), ranked fifth with 39520 points, doesn't finish better than him.

130kg (14 entries)

Second-ranked Riza KAYAALP (TUR) is set to overtake Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) and move to the top spot. Kayaalp has 50000 points and needs to finish 10th or better to get more than Mirzazadeh's 55000 points. A medal for Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) will move him from fifth place to third.

Sixth-placed Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) will keep his spot unless eighth-ranked Heiki NABI (EST), 10th-ranked Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) or Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU) win gold medal.

Grace BULLEN (NOR) and Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) will look to improve their rankings at 62kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Women's Wrestling

50kg (16 entries)

Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) is ranked second with 55200 points but Ziqi FENG (CHN), third ranked with 53400 points, will hope to overtake her. Feng will have to finish better than Dolgorjav especially if both win medals. Feng has to finish on the podium if she hopes to overtake Dolgorjav.

Fourth-ranked Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) has 45000 points but is unlikely to move up just like Alisson CARDOZO (COL) who is fifth with 27000 points.

53kg (11 entries)

Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU) will have her eyes on the top spot as she tries to jump from the second spot. Yepez, who has 46100 points, will have to finish fifth or better to overtake Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (AIN).

Jonna MALMGREN (SWE), who has 46013 points at the fourth spot, can be third if she wins a bronze medal or a better finish. She can also be second by winning gold and Yepez finishes ninth or lower.

ANTIM (IND), ranked seventh with 31000 points, can jump to fifth if she wins the gold or silver medal.

57kg (10 entries)

Third-ranked with 47200 points, Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) will be eyeing the top spot. All she has to do is reach the final of the Budapest tournament. This will help her overtake Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN), the top-ranked wrestler with 53000 points.

Anhelina LYSAK (POL), ranked fourth with 42700 points, is unlikely to improve but Helen MAROULIS (USA), with 41000 points, is all set to overtake Lysak.

62kg (13 entries)

In the most closely contested weight class, Grace BULLEN (NOR) will have a chance to change her rank. She is ranked third with 44000 points but a gold medal can help her get 11000 points and move past Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) who is ranked second with 54000 points.

Fourth-ranked Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), fifth-ranked Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) and sixth-ranked Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) will have a chance to move around in rankings. Dudova, at 36575 points, leads Niemesch by only 575 points while Koliadenko has 39520 points.

Kayla MIRACLE (USA) is seventh with 28000 points but will have to be careful as Ana GODINEZ (CAN) with 24400 points, Lais NUNES (BRA) with 23500 points and Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) with 23400 points can overtake her.

68kg (11 entries)

Buse TOSUN (TUR), who is ranked number one with 68200 points, will consolidate her position as will Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) who is second with 52500 points.

There will not be a change of position for third-ranked Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) but she can gain more points. Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) can move from sixth spot to fourth by reaching the final and to fifth by winning a bronze medal.

76kg (7 entries)

Three Pan-American wrestlers will be looking to improve their rankings. Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) can gain the most as the fourth-ranked wrestler has 39000 points and can be third by winning gold or silver. Milaimy MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) can also improve on her sixth spot. She can move to fifth by reaching the medal matches.

Justina DI STASIO (CAN), ranked 11th with 22075 points, can move as high as seventh by reaching the final.

Armenia Earns Olympic Berths Through Rising Stars Tevanyan and Harutyunyan

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Which wrestlers can move in rankings before Paris Olympics?