#WrestleWarsaw

Evloev Captures Gold as Russia Clean Sweeps Euros

By Vinay Siwach

WARSAW, Poland (April 25) -- Musa EVLOEV (RUS) is quickly establishing himself as one of the Greco-Roman greats around the world.

Ever since he captured the World title in 2018, he continues to rise to the top and on Sunday, he took another step in that direction, winning his second European title at 97kg as the senior continental Championships came to a close in Warsaw, Poland.

The 28-year-old wrestled in the final bout of the day and it wasn't even a match. Veteran Balazs KISS (HUN) tried to give a fight but Evloev was in no mood to waste time. With a series of par terre rolls, Evloev captured the gold medal with a 10-0 win in just one minute and 33 seconds.

His gold confirmed the team title for Russia as it clean swept the Championships, winning the freestyle, women's and the Greco-Roman team titles over the past seven days at the Sportowa COS Torwar stadium which is out-of-bounds for spectators.

As Evloev ascends to the top, he will be the favorite to win the gold medal in Tokyo Olympics, a title he will have to take from Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), just like the World title in 2018.

Aleksanyan captured the World and Olympic titles from 2014 to 2017 until Evloev defeated him in the semifinal at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest. Since then, Evloev has two more wins over the Armenian, one at the 2019 World Championships and the other at the Individual World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia last year.

Meanwhile, two-time junior world champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR) will have to wait for his first senior European Championships title. For the second consecutive year, he went home with a silver medal after he lost Sunday's final against Sergey EMELIN (RUS) 1-4.

Despite the aggression of Kamal, former world champion Emelin kept his composure throughout the 60kg final to reclaim his European title which he had lost to Victor CIOBANU (MDA) in 2019.

Sergey EMELIN (RUS) European Championships 2021

Emelin, who won a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships, was trailing 0-1 to Kamal at the break as he was warned for passivity. Kamal had a 5-0 lead after a big throw just before the break but a successful challenge from Russia showed there was no exposure, reversing the score to 1-0.

A minute and a half into the second period, Kamal was warned for passivity and Emelin scored on par terre, claiming a 3-1 lead. Kamal did try to score but was unsuccessful and with just two seconds left, he challenged for a point for stepout which was denied, giving the Russian the win and the first gold medal of the day.

The hopes of the home gold for Mateusz BERNATEK (POL) were dashed as Mate NEMES (SRB) dominated the final at 67kg to win the gold medal. Nemes gave his country the second gold medal in Warsaw after Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) won the gold at 87kg on Saturday.

Just 30 seconds into the final, Nemes came up with a big over the shoulder four-point throw to take the lead. With 30 seconds left for the break Bernatek was warned for passivity but he successfully defended his par terre position.

As Nemes closed-in on victory, he was warned for passivity and gave up two points for it. But as Bernatek tried desperate attempts, he was warned for using his head and penalized for two points. Nemes won the gold medal 7-2.

By winning the title, the 2019 bronze medalist from the Nursultan World Championships did what his twin brother Viktor NEMES (SRB), a former world champion, could not in three attempts.

Georgia also put its name on the title list with a gold medal at 72kg. Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO) put on a defensive show to capture the gold by defeating junior world and European champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) 4-1.

The Georgian Olympic bronze medalist rode on his luck in the final as he was awarded two points on a lost challenge from Armenia. After being called passive a minute and 17 seconds into the bout, Bolkvadze defended the par terre position. Amoyan almost got the exposure but it was given clean by the referee, prompting Amoyan to challenge the call.

Not only he lost the challenge, the jury decided to give two points to Bolkvadze for exposing Amoyan to his back, leading 3-1. A passivity against Amoyan increased the lead to 4-1 and Bolkvadze defended it till the end to win the gold medal for his country.

Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO) European Championships 2021
Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO) won the gold medal at 72kg in Warsaw. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Participating in the European Championships after a gap of four years, Adlan AKIEV (RUS) made a golden return as he became the champion of the 82kg category, giving Russia their second gold medal of the night.

After reaching his first-ever European final, Akiev finished things in style by winning the gold medal 11-1 against Radzik KULIYEU (BLR).

The deadlock was broken at 1:28 when Kuliyeu was given passive and Akiev got the exposure for two from a throw. A minute later, the Russian produced an over the shoulder throw to get two more and lead 5-0 at the break.

One minute and 20 seconds into the second period, Akiev was called passive but Kuliyev failed to get in correct position and the referee called for center, leaving the score 5-1 for Akiev.

A two-point exposure and a four-point move finished the bout with an 11-1 win for Akiev, which more or less confirmed the team title for Russia with one Evloev's gold medal bout yet to be played.

Adlan AKIEV (RUS) European Championships 2021

Greco-Roman Medal Results Day 7

60kg
GOLD - Sergey EMELIN (RUS) df. Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 4-1

BRONZE - Grzegorz KUNKEL (POL) df. Razvan ARNAUT (ROU), 6-0
BRONZE - Viktor PETRYK (UKR) df. MAKARANKA Bread (BLR), 5-1

67kg
GOLD - Mate NEMES (SRB) df. Mateusz BERNATEK (POL), 7-2

BRONZE - Murat FIRAT (TUR) df. Zaur KABALOEV (ITA), 3-1
BRONZE - Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) df. Donior ISLAMOV (MDA), 9-0

72kg
GOLD - Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM), 4-1

BRONZE - Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN) df. Chingiz LABAZANOV (RUS), 3-0
BRONZE - Maksym YEVTUSHENKO (UKR) df. Roman PACURKOWSKI (POL), 11-0

82kg
GOLD - Adlan AKIEV (RUS) df. Radzik KULIYEU (BLR), 11-0

BRONZE - Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO) df. Karapet CHALYAN (ARM), 3-2
BRONZE - Hannes WAGNER (GER) vs. Rajbek Alvievich BISULTANOV (DEN), 3-1

97kg
GOLD - Musa EVLOEV (RUS) df. Balazs KISS (HUN), 8-0

BRONZE - Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) df. Markus RAGGINGER (AUT), 4-0
BRONZE - Mikalai STADUB (BLR) df. Zamir MAGOMEDOV (AZE), 3-1

#WrestleBelgrade

2023 World Championships 61kg, 70kg, 86kg, 125kg semis set

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 16) -- The biggest wrestling event is here! The 2023 World Championships begins today in Belgrade. 90 Olympic quotas are on offer in 18 Olympic weight classes with 5 wrestlers, 4 medalists and one playoff winner, earning the quota.

The first day will see wrestlers from 61kg, 70kg, 86kg and 125kg with the last two being Olympic weight classes.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER | HOW TO WATCH

15:27: Living legend Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) seems content to score his points in dribs and drabs. Against Olympic bronze medalist Myles AMINE (SMR), Yazdani had four stepouts, along with a slick double-leg takedown, in a 7-2 victory to make the 86kg semifinals. He also gave up a takedown for the second time on the day, which may or may not be of concern. The way his right shoulder is heavily taped could be more of a factor. We will see how he holds up against Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB), who used some nasty counter-wrestling in a 15-5 win over Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN).

15:23: David TAYLOR (USA) gives up his first points of the tournament against Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) but still manages a technical superiority 12-2 win over Sharipov to move into the semifinals at 86kg. He will face returning bronze medalist Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) who rolls Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) 10-0

15:13: Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) has set up a semifinal against Mason PARRIS (USA). Petriashvili works a 3-1 win over Robert BARAN (POL) while Parris survives a big move against Zhiwei DENG (CHN) to win 8-4

15:15: We have the first dream match-up of the tournament as Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Amir ZARE (IRI) will go at again in the semifinals at 125kg. Defending champion Akgul scored an activity point and two stepouts in a 3-0 win over Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR). Zare gave up a 4-point takedown to fall behind Daniel LIGETI (HUN) in their quarterfinal, but stormed back against the exhausted Hungarian for an 11-4 win. Last year, Akgul beat Zare 4-2 in the semifinals.

14:57: Asian champion Tairybek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) gives up a takedown early in the second period to fall behind against European bronze medalist Emrah ORMANOGLU (TUR), but comes back with a takedown and a stepout for a 4-2 win and a spot in the 61kg semifinals.

14:56: Jahongirmirza TUROBOV (UZB) challenges for fleeing by Shota PHARTENADZE (GEO) in the last 10 seconds but no fleeing and he loses the challenge the match 5-3.

14:50: 2021 world champion Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) with a big four over V. BLIASETSKYI (UKR) and then gets the pin at 61kg. He moves into the semifinals. Top performance from Magomedov

14:42: World U23 champion Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) more than met the challenge of two-time world senior medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), he pummeled him. Yazdani twice scored four points off a driving double-leg tackle before finishing off an 11-0 technical fall with a stepout to advance to the 70kg semifinals. Next up is Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL).

14:41: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) will think about the last 10 seconds of his quarterfinal against Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM). Leading 3-2, he went into defensive and Andreasyan tried a big throw. Aoyagi tries to use that momentum to throw over but Andreasyan falls on top of the Japanese and gets two points. Japan challenges the call but the challenge is lost. A 5-3 win for Andreasyan

14:39: Returning silver medalist Zain RETHERFORD (USA) is into the semifinals with a 9-2 win over ABHIMANYOU (UWW). Retherford looks so much in control of his wrestling.

14:30: The quarterfinals' actions begin with 70kg on all four mats. Watch out Mat B with Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) wrestling Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI).

14:25: Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) is looking like a force to be reckoned with at 86kg. After knocking off top-seed Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL), he rolled into the quarterfinals with an 11-0 rout of Osman GOCEN (TUR). 

14:13: Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) puts the pressure on Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) but has to settle for four stepouts in their 86kg clash. But when the three-time champion finally gets the Mongolian onto the mat, it's lights out with a quick 11-0 technical fall and a place in the quarterfinals.

14:13: David TAYLOR (USA) with a 40-second win in the 1/8th finals. A cradle to gut-wrench for the technical superiority. Who will stop the Magicman?

14:10: Myles AMINE (SMR) with a hard-fought win over Zushen LIN (CHN) at 86kg. Just the workhorse he won, Amine looks solid here

14:02: Reigning champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) has his hands full with Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), but forges a 2-0 victory to advance to the 125kg quarterfinals. Akgul received an activity point in the first period and had a stepout in the second, but was never in danger in a staid bout.

14:00: Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) will be thanking his stars as he survives a final second takedown attempt from Abdulla KURBANOV (AIN). Petriashvili wins 6-5 to make the quarterfinals at 125kg. He came back from 4-0 down to win this.    

13:50: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) gets the gut-wrench and moves into the quarterfinals with a 10-0 win over Jonovan SMITH (PUR). Just before this match, the 2021 world champion Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) dominated Weiyu LI (CHN) to win at 61kg

13:28: Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) up against Intigam VALIZADA (AZE) on Mat A at 61kg. He runs to a 5-0 with a four-pointer and secures the pin over Valizada.

13:21: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) fights out of a 0-4 hole and scores 10 points in the second period to advance at 70kg with a 12-6 win over Marc DIETSCHE (SUI). The bronze medalist from last year set up a mouth-watering clash with Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI), who defeated Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) 6-0 in a match that had a lot more action than the score indicates.

13:15: Amr HUSSEN (EGY) got the better of the U23 world champion Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) using two four-pointers and win 14-4 at 70kg

13:03: How awesome is David TAYOR (USA)? The defending 86kg champion needs just 15 seconds to end his opening match against Sofiane PADIOU BELMIR (MAR). Taylor counters a tackle attempt by applying a cradle, rolling backwards and putting another overmatched opponent on their back for the fall.

13:01: Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), a bronze medalist here a year ago, has little trouble putting away Domantas PAULIUSCENKO (LTU) 9-0 at 86kg. In the round -of-16, he will face Arslan BAGAEV (AIN), a 12-2 winner over Ethan RAMOS (PUR) moments later on an adjacent mat.

12:47: Oceania champion and sometime beach wrestler Jayden LAWRENCE (AUS) will someday be able to tell his grandkids how he scored a takedown on the great Hassan YAZDANI (IRI). And how he lasted until the second period. But the inevitable result was a victory by fall after building an 8-2 lead for Yazdani as he aims for a fourth career world gold.

12:18: Former champion Amir ZARE (IRI), with the loud Irani contingent in the stands spurring him on, gets a takedown and a stepout in each period and easily handles Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (AIN) 7-2 at 125kg. 

12:22: In a battle of Asian giants, Zhiwei DENG (CHN) gets the decisive activity point with 40 seconds to knock out Lkhagvagerel MUKHTUR (MGL) 2-1 at 125kg. Deng was a world silver medalist in 2018, and Munkhtur finished second last year.

12:00: We apologize for the technical difficulties. The Arena and Streams are back up

Flo

11:20: Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN), the 2021 world and European champion, gets his campaign at 61kg off to a flying start with a 10-0 trouncing of Nikolai OKHLOPKOV (ROU). 

10:40: Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI), one of the favorites in the non-Olympic 70kg, gets over his first hurdle with an 11-1 technical fall over Patryk OLEGCZYN (POL) in the qualification round.

10:30: We are kicking off with 70kg. Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) vs Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ) on Mat A, Patryk OLENCZYN (POL) vs Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) on Mat B, Marc DIETSCHE (SUI) vs Brian OLOO (KEN) on Mat C and Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL) vs. Perman HOMMADOV (TKM).

10:00: Welcome to the day one of the World Championships. Little cloudy outside we are ready for some wrestling action.