Chamizo and Gazimagomedov to Collide in Sunday's European Finals

Saturday, February 15, 2020 - 17:49 By Eric Olanowski

ROME, Italy (February 15) --- Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) and Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) will collide in a colossal matchup of two-time world champions on Sunday night for the 74kg European title.

Chamizo, the 2015 and ’17 world champion, started his day off with a 6-5 win over fellow Rio Olympic bronze medalist, Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR). The pair combined to score ten points in the first period, but Chamizo’s three takedowns trumped Demirtas’ two takedowns, as the Italian won, 6-4.

In his second match, Chamizo tossed Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE) with a picturesque throw and moved into the quarterfinals with a fall over the young Azeri.

In the quarterfinals, he shutout Valentin BORZIN (MDA), 8-0, setting up a semifinals matchup against Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN). Chamizo blanked the Hungarian, 6-0, and will wrestle in the European finals for the fifth time in his career. He’s 3-1 in his previous four trips to the finals and hasn’t dropped a gold-medal match since losing to Olympic champion Togrul ASGAROV (AZE) in the 2015 European Games finals.

Chamizo will wrestle Gazimagomedov for the second time in their career and first since the 2017 Ali Aliev Tournament, where he won, 11-5.

Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) finishes a shot against Stefanov KIROV (BUL) in the semifinals. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Gazimagomedov, the 2015 and ’18 world champion, won three matches on Saturday. His top win came in the quarterfinals when he grabbed the 9-2 victory over 2018 world runner-up Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO). Gazimagomedov’s other Saturday wins came against Jonatan ALVAREZ DIAZ (ESP) and Miroslav Stefanov KIROV (BUL). He defeated his Spanish opponent, 10-0, then downed his Bulgarian foe, 11-0.

Gazimagomedov, who replaced Russia's other two-time world champion Zaubek SIDAKOV (RUS), is wrestling in his second European finals. His lone appearance was in 2015, where he capped off the European Games with a win over Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL).

Myles AMINE (SMR) is the first wrestler from San Marino to wrestle in the European finals. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Amine and Scherrer Lock up Finals Berth, Eyeing History
Myles AMINE (SMR) and Samuel SCHERRER (SUI) cemented their spots in the European finals are on the verge of rewriting a page in their nation’s freestyle history books.

Amine became the first wrestler from San Marino to reach the European finals, while Scherrer locked up Switzerland’s first trip to the continental gold-medal match in 74 years.

At 86kg, Myles AMINE (SMR) edged Rasul TSIKHAYEU (BLR), 2-1, in the semifinals, and continued his streak of making history for San Marino. Last year, Amine finished in fifth place at the World Championships – becoming the first athlete from San Marino to qualify for the Olympic Games. He also won a bronze medal at the European Games, which was a first for his country.

Amine will wrestle Artur NAIFONOV (RUS) in a rematch of the bronze-medal bout from last year’s World Championships. Naifonov won that meeting, 6-0.

Naifonov outscored his four Saturday opponents 21-2 and capped off his finals run with a 3-0 win over 2017 world silver medalist Boris MAKOEV (SVK).

Samuel SCHERRER (SUI) became the first Swiss freestyle wrestler to reach the European finals since 1946. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Scherrer shutout Marzpet GALSTYAN (ARM), 6-0, in the semifinals and became the first Swiss wrestler to reach the European finals since Willy LARDON’S (SUI) trip to the 1946 European finals in Stockholm, Sweden.

Scherrer will square off with Turkey’s Suleyman KARADENIZ (TUR) for a shot at becoming the first Swiss wrestler to win European gold since Karl HEGGLIN (SUI) won gold at the 1935 European Championships in Brussels, Belgium.

Karadeniz pancaked Irakli MTSITURI (GEO) to his back for the fall while holding a one-point lead with a short time left in the closing period. He’ll wrestle in the European finals for the first time in career.

Aleksandr BOGOMOEV (RUS) celebrates his win over reigning champion Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM). (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Bogomoev Ends Harutyunyan’s Quest to Repeat as European Champion
Aleksandr BOGOMOEV (RUS) scored a dramatic takedown with five seconds left over Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM), ending the young Armenian’s quest at repeating as European champion.

Bogomoev hip tossed Harutyunyan in the first period and led 4-0. But the Russian surrendered six unanswered points and trailed by two points with under ten seconds left. Bogomoev fired off a late attack and scored the go-ahead takedown with under five seconds left, stopping the potential rematch between Harutyunyan and Beka LOMTADZE (GEO).

Bogomoev will go toe-to-toe with the Georgian reigning world champion, Lomtadze, for the 61kg gold medal.

Lomtadze earned his finals berth with a close 2-1 victory over Intigam VALIZADA (AZE). He fell behind 1-0 but scored two second-period points and claimed the one-point win. Lomtadze returns to the European finals for the fourth time in his career but is 0-3 in those appearances.

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) smirks after reaching the 125kg European finals. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Petriashvili Moves into European Finals for the Fourth Time
Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) handled Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR), 6-2, in the semifinals, and locked up his fourth trip to the European finals. Petriashvili is 1-2 in his three trips to the European finals, and despite being the reigning three-time world champion, he hasn't won European gold since 2016.

He'll wrestle Poland’s Robert BARAN in the 125kg finals. Their Sunday matchup will be a rematch of the 2016 European finals, which was won by Petriashvili.

Baran blasted Levan BERIANIDZE (ARM), 9-0, in their semifinals meeting and will wrestle for European gold for the second time in his career.

The final session of wrestling at the European Championships begins at 18:00 (local time) and can be followed live on www.unitedworldwrestling.org.

RESULTS
61kg
GOLD - Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) vs. Aleksandr BOGOMOEV (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) df. Intigam VALIZADA (AZE), 5-1
SEMIFINAL - Aleksandr BOGOMOEV (RUS) df. Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM), 6-4

74kg
GOLD - Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) vs. Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA)
SEMIFINAL - Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Miroslav KIROV (BUL), 11-0
SEMIFINAL - Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 6-0

86kg
GOLD - Artur NAIFONOV (RUS) vs. Myles AMINE (SMR)
SEMIFINAL - Artur NAIFONOV (RUS) df. Boris MAKOEV (SVK), 3-0
SEMIFINAL - Myles Nazem AMINE (SMR) df. Rasul TSIKHAYEU (BLR), 2-1

92kg
GOLD - Samuel SCHERRER (SUI) vs. Suleyman KARADENIZ (TUR)
SEMIFINAL - Samuel SCHERRER (SUI) df. Marzpet GALSTYAN (ARM), 6-0
SEMIFINAL - Suleyman KARADENIZ (TUR) df. Irakli MTSITURI (GEO), via fall

125kg
GOLD - Robert BARAN (POL) vs. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO)
SEMIFINAL - Robert BARAN (POL) df. Levan BERIANIDZE (ARM), 9-0
SEMIFINAL - Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) df. Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR), 7-2

#WrestleRome

U17 Worlds: Young stars set to battle for supremacy in Rome

Thursday, July 21, 2022 - 13:28 By Vinay Siwach

ROME, Italy (June 21) -- Last year at the U17 World Championships, the USA and India were involved in a fierce team title race in two styles. While India won the freestyle title, the USA clinched the women's trophy. In Greco-Roman, Georgia had a comfortable lead to win the first spot after the initial battle with Ukraine and Russia which finished second and third respectively.

But the three nations will be under pressure to repeat their performance in Rome where the U17 World Championships begin Monday at the Pala Pellicone.

The biggest change from the previous edition will be the return of Japan to the competition after giving it a skip last year due to COVID-19.

U17 Asia silver medalist Mona EZAKA (JPN) will lead the team Japan team along with former U15 Asian champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN). The two will be competing in 40kg and 53kg respectively.

Historically, Japan has done well in lifting the trophy in women's wrestling since 2012. It should be the case in Rome unless one of India or the USA comes with a similar performance as last year.

India will also take heart from the fact that it won six gold medals at the recent U17 Asian Championships. The team will be led by defending champion at 73kg Priya MALIK (IND) as she tries to join KOMAL (IND) and Sonam MALIK (IND) as the country's only multiple U17 world champions.

Since she won the title in Budapest, Malik has lost only one bout -- a 3-3 criteria decision to Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) at the U20 Asian Championships in Bahrain last month.

In Rome, she will face quite a challenge as U17 European Championships gold medalist Ambre CHEVREAU (FRA) and silver Gabriela MAEVA (BUL) are both entered. Pan-Am champion Rupinder JOHAL (CAN) will also hope to medal on the global stage.

Apart from Malik, MUSKAN (IND), RITIKA (IND), SHRUTI (IND), REENA (IND) and SAVITA (IND) are also part of the team. All six won the U17 Asia title. HARSHITA (IND), who finished fifth last year, would like to be on the podium this year.

The USA will have '21 champion Erica PASTORIZA (USA) leading the charge. She won the title at 40kg in Budapest but will be competing at 43kg this year. Bronze medalist at 49kg Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) is returning to change the color of her medal in the same weight class.

A lot of interest will be in Shelby MOORE (USA) who has dominated the 57kg weight class at this level in the USA. Also in action will be the U17 Pan-Am silver medalist at 65kg Sydney PERRY (USA).

Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) won the European title at 51kg in Bucharest. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

A European challenge in the form of Ukraine will also be waiting for the three nations. Upcoming star and world champion at 49kg Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) along with teammates and fellow European champions Yevheniia DRUZENKO (UKR) at 40kg, Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR) at 43kg and Nadiia SOKOLOVSKA (UKR) at 69kg, are all entered for the Worlds.

Alexandra VOICULESCU (ROU) finished second to Pastoriza at 40kg last year but she is moving up to 46kg for the Rome event. A rematch of the U17 European Championships against Korneila LASZLO (HUN) is also on the cards. Laszlo won the final in Bucharest.

At 49kg, while Jiminez will be the favorite, she is up against a tough European field. Fabiana RINELLA (ITA), who won silver in Bucharest, will be in the field along with both bronze medalists Sevval CAYIR (TUR) and Anastasiia ZADVORNA (UKR). Laura FATH (HUN), Ana ROTARU (ROU), Anja EPP (SUI), Reka HEGEDUS (SVK) are also entered.

Turkey is also bringing a solid team to Rome with all seven European Championships medalists on the team including gold medalist Tuba DEMIR (TUR) at 57kg. Demir missed out on a medal last year finishing fifth at 53kg.

In a historic moment, Anya HATCH (TGA) will become the first woman from Tonga to represent her country at a World Championships.

Vasif BAGHIROV (AZE) can be the breakout performer in Rome. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Freestyle

Defending champions India will be banking on a new group of wrestlers after the medalists from the previous edition failed to make the team.

U17 Asian champions Ningappa GENANNAVAR (IND) and Vaibhav PATIL (IND) will be carrying the team with Patil also having experience from the Budapest edition in which he finished fifth.

But Iran, Azerbaijan and the USA will be its biggest challenge to the team title defense. Azerbaijan can have a breakout Worlds as it did at the U17 European Championships, easily winning the team title.

At 48kg, Vasif BAGHIROV (AZE) will be the favorite to win the title. Baghirov had three victories via fall in his four outs in Bucharest. He will be joined by silver medalist Rassoul GALBOURAEV (FRA) and Asian bronze medalist Ramil RASSIM (KAZ) at the same weight.

It may turn out to be a battle at 51kg as the silver medalist from Budapest Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) will go up against continental champions Elman AGHAYEV (AZE) and Nurdanat AITANOV (KAZ). The silver medalists from both Asia and Europe -- Mohammad Reza ASADI (IRI) and Narek HAKOBYAN (ARM) -- are also in the field.

Patil, who lost to Abdinur NURLANBEK (KAZ) in the semifinal and later to Javid JADADOV (AZE) in the bronze bout last year, will look to make amends at 55kg. But he will have his task cut out as five other continental medalists are wrestling.

At the U17 Asians, he defeated Husanboy USMONOV (UZB) and Daryn ASKERBEK (KAZ) in the semifinal and final respectively and both wrestlers will be eyeing to avenge their losses to Patil in Rome.

European champion Jamal ABBASOV (AZE) and silver to him Illia SHKETYK (UKR) are also entered the field. Abbasov put on a show at the Euros, winning three bouts via superiority and two, semifinal and final, via falls.

Azerbaijan will have favorites at 60kg in Agha GASIMOV (AZE), Ilyas ISAYEV (AZE) at 65kg and Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) at 110kg. However, 60kg will have Asian finalists Bilol SHARIP UULU (KGZ) and Javokhir CHULIBOYEV (UZB) as well as Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR), who won the gold over Gasimov in Bucharest.

Zan FUGGIT (USA) will also hope to make an impression after winning the Pan-Am title with ease.

Iran, which dominates the heavyweights, will be a big challenge for Dursunov, a bronze medalist at 92kg from last year, as he will be facing Mohammadreza LOTFI (IRI) who won the Asian title without giving up a single point.

At 92kg, the bronze medalist from Budapest and now U17 Asian champion Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ), a cousin of world medalist Dauren KURUGLIEV (RWF), will hope to win the title this year. His biggest threat will be European champion Ibrahim BENEKLI (TUR) and silver medalist Musza ARSUNKAEV (HUN) along with bronze medalists Nika PANTSULAIA (GEO) and Yaroslav LISNIAK (UKR).

In his run to Asian gold, he defeated Sahil JAGLAN (IND) in the semifinals and Erfan ALIZADEH (IRI) in the final. Both Jaglan and Alizadeh are wrestling in Rome.

Mohammad JAHANGIRI (IRI) is one of the favorites to win the 110kg GR title. (Photo: UWW / Assem Shalgumbayeva)

Greco-Roman

Georgia emerged as the world champions last year and a repeat cannot be ruled out with a strong squad present in Budapest.

European champions Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO), 48kg, and Anri KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO), 51kg, lead the unit with silver and bronze medalists from Bucharest.

Khozrevanidze will be keen on winning the world title after he finished with a bronze medal at the last edition at 45kg. He is jumping up to 51kg for this year.

At 48kg, world champion Nikita DEMENTIEV (UKR), who won the title at 45kg, will like to repeat despite his loss to Lolua at the Europeans.

Dementiev is leading a solid Ukraine team as it hopes to build on the second-place finish from Budapest. Yevhen POKOVBA (UKR) at 45kg became the European champion and will start as the favorite.

Ukraine finished third at the U17 Europeans with 109 points, equal as Georgia. The title was won by Azerbaijan convincingly with 175 points and it will be gunning to win the title in Rome as well.

Azerbaijan has two European champions in Faraim MUSTAFAYEV (AZE), also a bronze medalist from Budapest, at 55kg and Mahammad GASIMZADE (AZE) at 60kg along with four silver medalists from Bucharest wrestling in Rome.

Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan may spoil the party for Azerbaijan and Georgia. Kyrgyzstan won the Asian title after winning four of the 10 golds on offer. The other three nations won two each in the same competition.

One of the most intriguing battles may be seen at 110kg as Asian Mohammad JAHANGIRI (IRI) and European champion Laszlo DARABOS (HUN) are expected to clash in Budapest. Both had dominant runs to gold in their respective competition and will now like to win the gold at Worlds.

With close to 600 wrestlers entered, it may turn out to be an eye-opening World Championships, the first of the season. The action will be live on uww.org from Monday.

Chamizo and Gazimagomedov to Collide in Sunday's European Finals

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U17 Worlds: Young stars set to battle for supremacy in Rome