European Championships entry list

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 - 11:06 By Eric Olanowski & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (March 28) -- The 2023 European Championships will see the return of 27 defending champions as we enter the Paris Olympics cycle.

Zagreb, Croatia will play host to the tournament from April 17 to 24 with all 10 Greco-Roman returning champions, nine freestyle champions and eight women's wrestling gold medalists. The three who are not entered are Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) at 70kg, Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) at women's 62kg and Anna SCHELL (GER) at 72kg.

The number of countries participating in the tournament will be eligible to participate in the World Championships, the first event which will offer quotas for Paril Olympics.

Once again, Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Georgia will be the biggest threat to the team title in freestyle with Azerbaijan begin led by Olympic silver medalist Haji ALIYEV (AZE) at 65kg.

Turkiye has Taha AKGUL (TUR) at 125kg while Suleyman ATLI (TUR) and Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) are also part of the team.

It is expected to come down to 125kg final between Akgul and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), another chapter in their storied career. Akgul won the final over Petriashvili last year.

A similar story is expected in Greco-Roman as the three countries are bringing top squads. Last year, Azerbaijan won both the team title with Turkiye finishing second and Georgia finishing third.

Greco-Roman will see a few rivalries also be resumed as both Eldaniz AZIZLI (GEO) and Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) are entered at 55kg. So are the finalists at 60kg -- Kerem KAMAL (TUR) and Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL). The finalists from 63kg, 77kg, 82kg, 87kg, 97kg and 130kg are also entered.

World champion Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) is returning to European Championships after three years. He is a six-time European champion -- five continental and one Games title.

In women's wrestling, Turkiye and Ukraine will once again be fighting for the team title like last year.

Ukraine has a stronger team than last year with the return of the Olympic bronze medalist at 62kg Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) and former world champion Yuliia TKACH (UKR) at 59kg. However, the absence of world silver medalist Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) may hurt the nation.

Turkiye will be led by the world and European champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR) with Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), Nesrin BAS (TUR) and Bose TOSUN (TUR) also part of the team.

Mariya STADNIK (AZE) will be returning for yet another European Championships in her career and for the first time since 2021. She is a nine-time European champion which includes two Games titles.

Taha AKGUL (TUR) defeated Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) in the 125kg final last year. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Freestyle

57kg
Manvel KHNDZRTSYAN (ARM)
Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE)
Ivaylo TISOV (BUL)
Levan METREVELI (ESP)
Valentin DAMOUR (FRA)
Roberti DINGASHVILI (GEO)
Horst LEHR (GER)
Simone PIRODDU (ITA)
Amir MAGOMEDSULTANOV (MDA)
Besir ALILI (MKD)
Razvan KOVACS (ROU)
Thomas EPP (SUI)
Suleyman ATLI (TUR)
Andrii YATSENKO (UKR)

61kg
Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB)
Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM)
Intigam VALIZADA (AZE)
Georgi VANGELOV (BUL)
Arman ELOYAN (FRA)
Shota PHARTENADZE (GEO)
Niklas STECHELE (GER)
Gamzatgadzsi HALIDOV (HUN)
Daniel POPOV (ISR)
Andrei VITAN (MDA)
Vladimir EGOROV (MKD)
Nikolai OKHLOPKOV (ROU)
Emrah ORMANOGLU (TUR)
Valentyn BLIASETSKYI (UKR)

65kg
Islam DUDAEV (ALB)
Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM)
Haji ALIYEV (AZE)
Mikyay NAIM (BUL)
Carlos ALVAREZ (ESP)
Marwane YEZZA (FRA)
Edemi BOLKVADZE (GEO)
Andre CLARKE (GER)
Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN)
Joshua FINESILVER (ISR)
Colin REALBUTO (ITA)
Maxim SACULTAN (MDA)
Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL)
Stefan COMAN (ROU)
Stevan MICIC (SRB)
Nino LEUTERT (SUI)
Hamza ALACA (TUR)
Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR)

70kg
Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM)
Magomed KHANIEV (AZE)
Muhammad ABDURACHMANOV (BEL)
Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL)
Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO)
Kevin HENKEL (GER)
Daniel ANTAL (HUN)
Gianluca TALAMO (ITA)
Nicolai GRAHMEZ (MDA)
Fati VEJSELI (MKD)
Patryk OLENCZYN (POL)
Marc DIETSCHE (SUI)
Daniel CHOMANIC (SVK)
Servet COSKUN (TUR)
Ihor NYKYFORUK (UKR)

74kg
Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM)
Simon MARCHL (AUT)
Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE)
Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL)
Erik REINBOK (EST)
Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO)
Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN)
Mitchell FINESILVER (ISR)
Frank CHAMIZO (ITA)
Vasile DIACON (MDA)
Rasul SHAPIEV (MKD)
Szymon WOJTKOWSKI (POL)
Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU)
Malik AMINE (SMR)
Hetik CABOLOV (SRB)
Tobias PORTMANN (SUI)
Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)
Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR)
Semen RADULOV (UKR)

79kg
Arman AVAGYAN (ARM)
Sabuhi AMIRASLANOV (AZE)
Mihail GEORGIEV (BUL)
Kreso SKUGOR (CRO)
Gabriel IGLESIAS (ESP)
Saifedine ALEKMA (FRA)
Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO)
Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)
Csaba VIDA (HUN)
Eugeniu MIHALCEAN (MDA)
Ahmad MAGOMEDOV (MKD)
Maxim VASILIOGLO (ROU)
Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK)
Muhammet AKDENIZ (TUR)
Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR)
Iman MAHDAVI (UWW)

86kg
Mushegh MKRTCHYAN (ARM)
Benjamin GREIL (AUT)
Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE)
Ilia HRISTOV (BUL)
Taimuraz FRIEV (ESP)
Aimar ANDRUSE (EST)
Ruslan VALIEV (FRA)
Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO)
Lars SCHAEFLE (GER)
Angelos KOUKLARIS (GRE)
Patrik PUESPOEKI (HUN)
Uri KALASHNIKOV (ISR)
Akhmedkhan TEMBOTOV (ITA)
Ivars SAMUSONOKS (LAT)
Domantas PAULIUSCENKO (LTU)
Ivan ICHIZLI (MDA)
Uvejs FEJZULAHU (MKD)
Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL)
Andrei FRANT (ROU)
Myles AMINE (SMR)
Boris MAKOEV (SVK)
Fatih ERDIN (TUR)
Vladyslav PRUS (UKR)

92kg
Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE)
Ahmed BATAEV (BUL)
Akhmed AIBUEV (FRA)
Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO)
Joshua MORODION (GER)
Matthew FINESILVER (ISR)
Ion DEMIAN (MDA)
Redjep HAJDARI (MKD)
Radoslaw MARCINKIEWICZ (POL)
Strahinja DESPIC (SRB)
Ermak KARDANOV (SVK)
Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR)
Illia ARCHAIA (UKR)

97kg
Sergey SARGSYAN (ARM)
Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE)
Georgi DIMITROV (BUL)
Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO)
Erik THIELE (GER)
Vladislav BAITSAEV (HUN)
Benjamin HONIS (ITA)
Egzon SHALA (KOS)
Lukas KRASAUSKAS (LTU)
Radu LEFTER (MDA)
Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD)
Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL)
Samuel SCHERRER (SUI)
Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK)
Ibrahim CIFTCI (TUR)
Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR)

125kg
Paris KAREPI (ALB)
Johannes LUDESCHER (AUT)
Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE)
Georgi IVANOV (BUL)
Jose CUBA VAZQUEZ (ESP)
Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO)
Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER)
Azamat KHOSONOV (GRE)
Daniel LIGETI (HUN)
Abraham CONYEDO (ITA)
Ivan NEDEALCO (MDA)
Robert BARAN (POL)
Magomedgadzhi NURASULOV (SRB)
Taha AKGUL (TUR)
Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR)

Kiril MILOV (BUL) is the defending champion at 97kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Greco-Roman

55kg
Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM)
Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE)
Stefan GRIGOROV (BUL)
Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO)
Fabian SCHMITT (GER)
Artiom DELEANU (MDA)
Denis MIHAI (ROU)
Muhammet CAKIR (TUR)
Viacheslav BAIRAKTAR (UKR)

60kg
Bajram SINA (ALB)
Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM)
Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE)
Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL)
Nikolai MOHAMMADI (DEN)
Daniel BOBILLO (ESP)
Helary MAEGISALU (EST)
Leo TUDEZCA (FRA)
Pridon ABULADZE (GEO)
Christopher KRAEMER (GER)
Erik TORBA (HUN)
Melkamu FETENE (ISR)
Justas PETRAVICIUS (LTU)
Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA)
Michal TRACZ (POL)
Razvan ARNAUT (ROU)
Georgii TIBILOV (SRB)
Ardit FAZLJIJA (SWE)
Kerem KAMAL (TUR)
Viktor PETRYK (UKR)

63kg
Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM)
Aker SCHMID AL OBAIDI (AUT)
Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE)
Abu AMAEV (BUL)
Ivan LIZATOVIC (CRO)
Leri ABULADZE (GEO)
Krisztian KECSKEMETI (HUN)
Jacopo SANDRON (ITA)
Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LAT)
Victor CIOBANU (MDA)
Perica DIMITRIJEVIC (SRB)
Virgil BICA (SWE)
Ismail CULFA (TUR)
Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR)

67kg
Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM)
Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)
Ivo ILIEV (BUL)
Luka IVANCIC (CRO)
Elmer MATTILA (FIN)
Tigran GALUSTYAN (FRA)
Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO)
Witalis LAZOVSKI (GER)
Krisztian VANCZA (HUN)
Shon NADORGIN (ISR)
Zaur KABALOEV (ITA)
Alexei HAHLOVSCHI (MDA)
Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR)
Mateusz BERNATEK (POL)
Pedro DE MATOS (POR)
Mihai MIHUT (ROU)
Sebastian NAD (SRB)
Mate NEMES (SRB)
Andreas VETSCH (SUI)
Niklas OEHLEN (SWE)
Murat FIRAT (TUR)
Parviz NASIBOV (UKR)

72kg
Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM)
Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE)
Deyvid DIMITROV (BUL)
Pavel PUKLAVEC (CRO)
Jakub BIELESZ (CZE)
Matias LIPASTI (FIN)
Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA)
Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO)
Michael WIDMAYER (GER)
Robert FRITSCH (HUN)
Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU)
Valentin PETIC (MDA)
Roman PACURKOWSKI (POL)
Ali ARSALAN (SRB)
Michael PORTMANN (SUI)
Selcuk CAN (TUR)
Andrii KULYK (UKR)

77kg
Kevin KUPI (ALB)
Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM)
Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE)
Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL)
Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO)
Oliver KRUEGER (DEN)
Marcos SANCHEZ (ESP)
Mikko PELTOKANGAS (FIN)
Johnny BUR (FRA)
Iuri LOMADZE (GEO)
Samuel BELLSCHEIDT (GER)
Christos KOUTSOURIDIS (GRE)
Zoltan LEVAI (HUN)
Luca DARIOZZI (ITA)
Paulius GALKINAS (LTU)
Alexandrin GUTU (MDA)
Juan AAK (NOR)
Patryk BEDNARZ (POL)
Aleksa ILIC (SRB)
Viktor NEMES (SRB)
Denis HORVATH (SVK)
Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE)
Yunus BASAR (TUR)
Serhii KOZUB (UKR)

82kg
Samvel GRIGORYAN (ARM)
Michael WAGNER (AUT)
Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE)
Rosian DERMANSKI (BUL)
Filip SACIC (CRO)
Bozo STARCEVIC (CRO)
Ranet KALJOLA (EST)
Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO)
Roland SCHWARZ (GER)
Georgios PREVOLARAKIS (GRE)
Erik SZILVASSY (HUN)
Mihail BRADU (MDA)
Exauce MUKUBU (NOR)
Branko KOVACEVIC (SRB)
Marc WEBER (SUI)
Kristoffer BERG (SWE)
Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR)
Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR)

87kg
Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM)
Lukas STAUDACHER (AUT)
Islam ABBASOV (AZE)
Semen NOVIKOV (BUL)
Ivan HUKLEK (CRO)
Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN)
Andreas VAELIS (EST)
Lasha GOBADZE (GEO)
Hannes WAGNER (GER)
Nikolaos VARKAS (GRE)
David LOSONCZI (HUN)
Mirco MINGUZZI (ITA)
Martynas NEMSEVICIUS (LTU)
Marcel STERKENBURG (NED)
Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL)
Nicu OJOG (ROU)
Zarko DICKOV (SRB)
Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB)
Damian VON EUW (SUI)
Alex KESSIDIS (SWE)
Ali CENGIZ (TUR)
Artem MATIASH (UKR)

97kg
Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM)
Markus RAGGINGER (AUT)
Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE)
Kiril MILOV (BUL)
Filip SMETKO (CRO)
Artur OMAROV (CZE)
Richard KARELSON (EST)
Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN)
Loic SAMEN (FRA)
Roberti KOBLIASHVILI (GEO)
Peter OEHLER (GER)
Laokratis KESIDIS (GRE)
Alex Gergo SZOKE (HUN)
Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA)
Vilius LAURINAITIS (LTU)
Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED)
Felix BALDAUF (NOR)
Gerard KURNICZAK (POL)
Mario VUKOVIC (SRB)
Mihail KAJAIA (SRB)
Aleksandar STJEPANETIC (SWE)
Metehan BASAR (TUR)
Vladlen KOZLIUK (UKR)

130kg
David OVASAPYAN (ARM)
Sabah SHARIATI (AZE)
Marcel ALBINI (CZE)
Eerik PANK (EST)
Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN)
Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO)
Jello KRAHMER (GER)
Dariusz VITEK (HUN)
Danila SOTNIKOV (ITA)
Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU)
Oskar MARVIK (NOR)
Rafal KRAJEWSKI (POL)
Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU)
Boris PETRUSIC (SRB)
Delian ALISHAHI (SUI)
Riza KAYAALP (TUR)
Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR)

Mariya STADNIK (AZE) is eyeing her 10th European title. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Women’s Wrestling

50kg
Mariya STADNIK (AZE)
Miglena SELISHKA (BUL)
Aintzane GORRIA GONI (ESP)
Julie SABATIE (FRA)
Szimonetta SZEKER (HUN)
Emanuela LIUZZI (ITA)
Gabija DILYTE (LTU)
Veronika RYABOVOLOVA (MKD)
Anna LUKASIAK (POL)
Emilia VUC (ROU)
Svenja JUNGO (SUI)
Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR)
Oksana LIVACH (UKR)

53kg
Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE)
Marina RUEDA FLORES (ESP)
Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER)
Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)
Stalvira ORSHUSH (HUN)
Vestina DANISEVICIUTE (LTU)
Iulia LEORDA (MDA)
Marija SPIRKOVSKA (MKD)
Roksana ZASINA (POL)
Marija IGNJATOVIC (SRB)
Jonna MALMGREN (SWE)
Zeynep YETGIL (TUR)
Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR)

55kg
Ilona DYDIAK SEMKIV (AZE)
Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA)
Annika WENDLE (GER)
Erika BOGNAR (HUN)
Laura STANELYTE (LTU)
Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA)
Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL)
Andreea Beatrice ANA (ROU)
Bediha GUN (TUR)
Mariia VYNNYK (UKR)

57kg
Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE)
Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL)
Lana NOGIC (CRO)
Graciela SANCHEZ (ESP)
Jenna HEMIAE (FIN)
Mathilde RIVIERE (FRA)
Elena BRUGGER (GER)
Anna SZEL (HUN)
Jowita WRZESIEN (POL)
Evelina HULTHEN (SWE)
Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR)
Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR)

59kg
Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE)
Kelsey BARNES (GBR)
Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER)
Nikolett SZABO (HUN)
Morena DE VITA (ITA)
Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)
Othelie HOEIE (NOR)
Anhelina LYSAK (POL)
JOVANA RADIVOJEVIC (SRB)
Eda TEKIN (TUR)
Yuliia TKACH (UKR)

62kg
Elis MANOLOVA (AZE)
Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL)
Lydia PEREZ TOURINO (ESP)
Viktoria VESSO (EST)
Ameline DOUARRE (FRA)
Luisa NIEMESCH (GER)
Elena ESPOSITO (ITA)
Mariana CHERDIVARA ESANU (MDA)
Grace BULLEN (NOR)
Magdalena GLODEK (POL)
Amina CAPEZAN (ROU)
Sara LINDBORG (SWE)
Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR)
Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR)

65kg
Birgul SOLTANOVA (AZE)
Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL)
Iva GERIC (CRO)
Nerea PAMPIN BLANCO (ESP)
Kendra DACHER (FRA)
Elma ZEIDLERE (LAT)
Natalia KUBATY (POL)
Kriszta INCZE (ROU)
Masa PEROVIC (SRB)
Busra EFE (TUR)
Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR)

68kg
Albina DRAZHI (ALB)
Nigar MIRZAZADA (AZE)
Yuliana YANEVA (BUL)
Gia KASTELAN (CRO)
Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE)
Koumba LARROQUE (FRA)
Eyleen SEWINA (GER)
Noémi SZABADOS (HUN)
Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU)
Irina RINGACI (MDA)
Natalia STRZALKA (POL)
Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK)
Tindra SJOEBERG (SWE)
Nesrin BAS (TUR)
Alla BELINSKA (UKR)

72kg
Sofiya GEORGIEVA (BUL)
Milla ANDELIC (CRO)
Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA)
Lilly SCHNEIDER (GER)
Ilana KRATYSH (ISR)
Dalma CANEVA (ITA)
Patrycja SPERKA (POL)
Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU)
Emilija JAKOVLJEVIC (SRB)
Buse TOSUN (TUR)
Liudmyla PAVLOVETS TYCHYNA (UKR)

76kg
Martina KUENZ (AUT)
Marta BESEK (CRO)
Epp MAE (EST)
Cynthia VESCAN (FRA)
Francy RAEDELT (GER)
Christina PAPADOPOULOU (GRE)
Enrica RINALDI (ITA)
Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU)
Marion BYE (NOR)
Catalina AXENTE (ROU)
Fanni NAGY NAD (SRB)
Yasemin ADAR (TUR)
Anastasiia SHUSTOVA (UKR)

#WrestleZagreb

Harutyunyan stuns Abakarov, Akgul reigns again at Euros

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - 16:40 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (April 19) -- World champion Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) certainly knows a thing or two about wrestling. When United World Wrestling posted about the European Championships final between Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) and Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) at 61kg, Higuchi said he is very excited to watch it.

Not many would have given Harutyunyan a chance against 57kg world champion Abakarov who has now become one of the top wrestlers in the lower weight classes. But what transpired on the mat Wednesday in Zagreb left everyone stunned as Harutyunyan captured his third European title after upsetting Abakarov 5-2.

Such was his confidence that the 23-year-old put his thumb and two fingers up, symbolizing his third gold medal, well before the clock expired and as he was defending a leg-lace attempt from Abakarov.

He first won the European gold medal in 2019 at 57kg, added the second last year at 61kg and now defended his title, safe to say, with ease.

He was one of the four defending champions to repeat while the fifth fell in the finals. Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) won the 74kg gold, Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) repeated at 92kg and Taha AKGUL (TUR) became a 10-time European champion at 125kg. The only returning champ to fall was Myles AMINE (SMR) as he lost the 86kg final to Dauren KURGULIEV (GRE) 3-1.

Overall, Azerbaijan defended its team title with 150 points followed by Georgia with 137 points. Turkiye finished third with 115 points.

Harutyunyan's victory was a masterclass about keeping position and hand-fighting a world champion out of the bout. And because he has an unusual stance with no dominant front foot, Harutyunyan combined his speed and defense to deny Abakarov any attacks on the legs. Abakarov's only options were upper-body attacks which Harutyunyan defended with ease.

Abakarov got on an arm drag early in the final but Harutyunyan was quick to get out of it and forced Abakarov to step out and get the 1-0 lead. Harutyunyan then scored a single-leg takedown to lead 3-0 at the break.

After a back-and-forth but scoreless one minute in the second period, Harutyunyan scored a double leg on Abakarov to lead 5-0 with just over a minute left. Abakarov finally caught Harutyunyan in a takedown, but it was too late, as time ran out, even as Abakarov was trying to get a lace.

"I was in a positive mood, he is not an ordinary athlete, he is a world champion," Harutyunyan said. "It was a little exciting, but as soon as I stepped on the mat, all the excitement was gone. It doesn't matter to me who my opponent is when I step on the mat, I want to beat him. I saw myself as a champion, so I confidently climbed onto the mat and won."

In 2021, Harutyunyan became Armenia's first U23 world champion and defended that title in 2022. He also became the first wrestler from Armenia to win two freestyle European titles last year and has now extended that record to three. This is also the first time Armenia has had two champions in the same event as Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) won the gold medal at 65kg in Zagreb.

"When I won the first time, I experienced completely different emotions than now," he said. "When I won the second time and was very happy, I was really looking forward to the third time, because this year I had to prove to myself that I had not been training day and night in vain. I did my best to train, to be ready for the European Championship."

While the gold at 61kg in Zagreb works as a confidence booster for Harutyunyan, he will be moving down to 57kg in his quest to become a world champion and qualify for the Paris Olympics which doesn't feature the 61kg weight class. He even sounded a warning to his opponents.

"I will change weight and I will become the world champion at 57kg," he said. "This year I will do my best and not miss my chance to become world champion. In the weight category of 57kg, I will be the first and go to the Olympic Games. Now I say very confidently - let all the opponents get ready."

The start of the medals session was reciprocated by the end with yet another battle between Akgul and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) at 125kg and once again it was the former who won the battle of Europe.

Akgul now holds a 6-1 head-to-head record against Petriashvili at European Championships. His only loss came back in 2016 in Riga, Latvia as Petriashvili won the qualification round bout 8-8. Since then he has dominated Petriashvili four times in the final, one time in the quarterfinal and once in the qualification round.

The latest win was even more one-sided as Petriashvili was down 9-0 at one point before Akgul decided not to take any more risks and stepped back in the final minute in which Petriashvili scored two harmless takedowns as Akgul won 9-4.

At the start, Petriashvili was put on the activity clock, forcing him to take a shot and Akgul scored a takedown on the counter. He added a roll to lead 5-0 at the break. Petriashvili tried his fake attacks but Akgul stood still and never committed to any strange position. Petriashvili did get on a single-leg attack but was once again countered and Akgul scored another takedown and a roll to lead 9-0.

Akgul did give up two takedowns but nothing seemed to stop him from the early celebration as he won his 10 European titles in freestyle.

"I told you that this match will be beautiful," Akgul said. "My performance was good. I won 10 European titles. This is so big for me. I win against Geno again that is why I am happy.

"I told myself that I will give everything to this match. At 9-0, I was tired but I finished the bout."

Akgul will now be focusing on the World Championships where he has not beaten Petraishvili and will have to deal with Olympic champion Gable STEVESON (USA) qualifies to wrestle in Belgrade.

"We will have a rematch with him [Steveson]. I will be waiting at the World Championships and I will wrestle differently," Akgul said.

Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) defended his 92kg gold medal at the European Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) also successfully defended his 92kg title and secured Turkiye's second gold medal of the night. He wrestled world bronze medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) in what was expected to be a close final, but Akturk dominated from start to finish.

Akturk capitalized on Nurmagomedov's weak gas tank and started aggressively from the first whistle. Although Nurmagomedov scored the first takedown with a double leg, Akturk quickly responded with a stepout of his own. In the second period, Nurmagomedov attempted another double leg, but Akturk impressively avoided it and scored a takedown of his own to take the lead 3-2.

As Nurmagomedov began to show signs of fatigue, Akturk took advantage and executed a single-leg takedown to extend his lead to 5-2. Despite a late leg attack from Nurmagomedov, Akturk did not give him any more opportunities to make a comeback and secured the win.

Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) fends off an attack from Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) in the 74kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Salkazanov sinks Chamizo again

Salkazanov secured his third consecutive European championship title, defeating Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) 3-1 in the 74kg final, for the second year in a row.

Just two months prior, Salkazanov had experienced a setback at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series, suffering two losses in one day and receiving heavy criticism as a result. This made Chamizo the favorite to win the title, particularly after his impressive performances leading up to the final.

However, Chamizo had previously expressed that he was not a fan of Salkazanov's style of wrestling, which involves "a lot of pushing." In response, Salkazanov defended his approach, stating that his offensive style can be challenging for many wrestlers.

"I think that my wrestling style is inconvenient not only for Chamizo but also for many other wrestlers as well because I have a very offensive style," Salkazanov said. "Many can not deal with the pressure and that’s why it is inconvenient."

Despite Chamizo's attempts at snaps and low singles, Salkazanov relied on his strengths to score points throughout the final. He led 1-0 at the break after a pushout, and maintained his crotched stance throughout the second period, making it difficult for Chamizo to make a move. Salkazanov received an activity point and another stepout to secure his victory, winning 3-1 after conceding one point for fleeing.

"I wasn’t surprised that Frank didn’t try to score more, and was wrestling defensively," he said. "Many of my opponents follow the same way."

Salkazanov recounted his visit to Zagreb in February and acknowledged the criticism he had received and credited his coaches for their support and guidance.

"I really wanted to win because two months ago I was in Zagreb and lost two matches," he said. "Many people criticized me for participating and some said I was not well prepared. I actually had a minor injury. I believe in my coaches. As he always says, in order to win you have to lose. It worked this way here. I am a champion again."

Despite his impressive three-year European championship winning streak, Salkazanov still faces a significant challenge at the World Championships, having lost in the final to Kyle DAKE (USA) in consecutive years.

"I have to keep working, there is no other way," he said about beating Dake. "I hope for God’s help. I think I will make it. Now I need to recover and talk to my coach, maybe I’ll wrestle at one more tournament and then go for the World Championships."

Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) defeated Myles AMINE (SMR) to win the 86kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Kurugliev emerged as the 86kg gold medalist, defeating defending champion Amine 3-1 in a closely contested final. This victory marks his second European Championship title, six years after his first win in 2017 when he was a Russian Wrestling Federation athlete.

Although Kurugliev dominated his opponents, outscoring them 35-0 in the three previous bouts, the final against Amine was a tougher challenge. Despite experiencing leg pain, Kurugliev managed to secure a takedown in the first period and controlled the rest of the match.

"I had leg pain, so I had to be careful, that’s why I tried to defend more," Kurugliev said. "Even though there was a risky score of 3-1, everything was under control. I was controlling the situation."

Since has been out of the international for more than two years, Kurugliev was asked if it mattered who he faced in the finals.

"I was ready to wrestle anybody, it didn’t matter to me if I wrestled him before or not," Kurugliev said. "I had to prove that I am number one. I hadn’t wrestled internationally at the European or World Championships for quite a long time, so I had to prove it."

Kurugliev last competed in the European or World Championships in 2018, where he finished fifth at 86kg. He lost to David TAYLOR (USA) in the semifinals and Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) in the bronze medal bout.

"We keep working on our mistakes together with my coach Gaidar Gaidarov," he said. "After 2018, I have been waiting to wrestle both Hassan Yazdani and David Taylor and take revenge for my loss. I hope I’ll do it."

RESULTS

61kg
GOLD: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 5-2

BRONZE: Shota PHARTENADZE (GEO) df. Taras MARKOVYCH (UKR), 6-5
BRONZE: Emrah ORMANOGLU (TUR) df. Arman ELOYAN (FRA), 2-1

74kg
GOLD: Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) df. Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), 3-1

BRONZE: Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) df. Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL), via injury default
BRONZE: Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) df. Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM), 8-0

86kg
GOLD: Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) df. Myles AMINE (SMR), 3-1

BRONZE: Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) df. Georgii RUBAEV (MDA), 1-1
BRONZE: Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) df. Boris MAKOEV (SVK), 7-4

92kg
GOLD: Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) df. Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), 5-2

BRONZE: Ermak KARDANOV (SVK) df. Matthew FINESILVER (ISR), 6-0
BRONZE: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) df. Illia ARCHAIA (UKR), 7-2

125kg
GOLD: Taha AKGUL (TUR) df. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), 9-4

BRONZE: Daniel LIGETI (HUN) df. Azamat KHOSONOV (GRE), 6-2
BRONZE: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) df. Abraham CONYEDO (ITA), 7-4

Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Mariya STADNIK (AZE) vs. Oksana LIVACH (UKR)

SF 1: Mariya STADNIK (AZE) df. Anna LUKASIAK (POL), 9-0
SF 2: Oksana LIVACH (UKR) df. Miglena SELISHKA (BUL), 3-2

55kg
GOLD: Erika BOGNAR (HUN) vs. Andreea ANA (ROU)

SF 1: Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL), 10-4
SF 2: Erika BOGNAR (HUN) df. Annika WENDLE (GER), 6-2

59kg
GOLD: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) vs. Yuliia TKACH (UKR)

SF 1: Yuliia TKACH (UKR) df. Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE), 10-0
SF 2: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df. Eda TEKIN (TUR), 10-0

68kg
GOLD: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) vs. Alla BELINSKA (UKR)

SF 1: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), via fall
SF 2: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) df. Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE), via inj. def.

76kg
GOLD: Yasemin ADAR (TUR) vs. Martina KUENZ (AUT)

SF 1: Martina KUENZ (AUT) df. Cynthia VESCAN (FRA), 2-1
SF 2: Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df. Anastasiia OSNIACH (UKR), 14-4

European Championships entry list

Comments

Harutyunyan stuns Abakarov, Akgul reigns again at Euros