#wrestlebishkek

Five Kyrgyz wrestlers highlight Sunday's RS finals

By Eric Olanowski

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (June 4) --- The final day of wrestling at the Bishkek Ranking Series event will be a full slate of freestyle wrestling. The eight classes in action today will be 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 74kg, 79kg, 85kg and 92kg.

Everything you need to know:
📍Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
🗓️: June 1-4
🥇🥈🥉= 18:00
#️⃣#WrestleBishkek
🖥️: http://uww.org 
📱: UWW App

Sunday's finals: 
57kg:  Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) vs. Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) 
61kg: Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) vs. Shota PHARTENADZE (GEO) 
65kg: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) vs. Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ) 
70kg: Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ)vs.  Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ)
74kg: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) vs.  Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) 
79kg: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) vs. Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) ​​​​​​​
86kg: Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) vs. Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) ​​​​​​​
92kg: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) vs. Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) 

15:41: World bronze medal winners Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) and Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) are tango'ing over on Mat A. They are even at two-a-piece after the first three minutes, with Dauletbekov holding the criteria advantage after scoring a takedown to close out the period.

15:27: As mentioned early, this match on Mat C between Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) and Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE) is going to be one of the deciding factors for Azerbaijan's 74kg World Championships spot.

15:24: What a match! Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ) and Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) just put up 17 points, with the Kazakh reaching the finals, 11-6. Talgat will wrestle  Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) v

15:17: Kyrgyzstan is three-for-three in the semifinals, with world silver medalist Akmataliev looking to make it four-for-four as he's up 1-0 on Mat B.

15:15: Asian champion Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) shutout Pankaj PANKAJ (IND), 7-0, in the 61kg semifinals, but hobbled off the mat. Before getting his hand raised Zhumashbek Uulu bent down a grabbed his right ankle. 

15:13: Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) picks up a 4-2 win over Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) and give the host nation their first freestyle Ranking Series finalist.

15:03: The Bishkek Arena is deafening right now. There are Kyrgyz wrestlers on every mat and they are all winning. 

14:47: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) just pinned Osman GOCEN (TUR) after training 9-5 with :50 seconds left in the second period. He'll wrestle fellow world bronze medalist Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) in the 86kg semifinals.

14:25: We'll finish the final pair of quarterfinal matches on all matches and roll right into the semifinals. From the looks of things, it seems that we'll finish the morning session around 16:15, then start the finals at 18:00.

14:16: U23 world champion Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) is making his tournament debut on Mat B against Myrza ZHYRGALBEK UULU (KGZ)

14:05: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) currently holds a 8-4 lead over world and Olympic bronze medalist Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) on Mat C. When Bayramov is on the attack, he has the potential to be once of the best guys in the world, but often finds himself shutting it down and managing matches rather than wrestling matches. 

13:58: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) puts a stamp on his 11-0 win over Yerkebulan SHYNYKUL (KAZ) with a match-ending four-point throw. He'll move into the 70kg semifinals India's Mulaym YADAV (IND), who just defeated Davit PATSINASHVILI (GEO), 6-1.

13:43: Pankaj dominated Aman, scoring an easy 7-1 win to move into the 61kg semifinals against reigning Asian champion Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ).

Aman was clearly too small for Pankaj. He was in on several shots, but had no penetration on his attacks, getting stopped after the first level of his attack.

13:34: Indian phenom Aman AMAN (IND) is up on Mat B against teammate Pankaj PANKAJ (IND). Aman, the 17-year-old, is up at 61kg, one weight above his Asian title-winning weight of 57kg.

13:15: One of the least talked about guys in Pan-American (outside of American athletes), in my opinion, is Agustin Alejandro DESTRIBATS (ARG). He's a guy that's constantly traveling the world to find quality partners and hone his craft. His technique has massively improved over the last three year and is a solid sized 65kg guy.

Destribats just dropped Nuerlaxi BIEKEZHATI (CHN) on his head in the first round, moving onto the quarterfinals with a 10-0 win. He'll wrestle Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE) next.

13:03: Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) gave world bronze medalist Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) a tough match on Mat B. Tumur Ochir won 4-0 but it was closer than the score indicated.

12:56: Dauletbekov gets a pair of takedowns in the second period and defeats Jezierzanski, 5-1. He'll wrestle Gocen for a spot in the 86jg semifinals. 

12:55: We're two matches away from starting the quarterfinals. The last three days, we've finished the first round around 14:00. With the 25 matches left on each match, I'm not sure if we'll be done with the quarterfinals by that time today.

12:50: World bronze medalist Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) has a narrow 1-0 lead over Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) after the first period. The winner of this match gets Osman GOCEN (TUR) in the 86kg quarterfinals.

12:23: Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) just saved his Belgrade hopes with a match-deciding takedown against Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN). Gadzhiev was behind 4-3 but scored a takedown with :03 left, winning the match, 5-4. He'll wrestle the winner of the match that's currently up on Mat B between Adam Skene THOMSON (CAN) and Otari BAGAURI (GEO).

12:15: After winning his first-round match, Ilias BEKBULATOV (UZB) has dropped out of the competition. "I have a hernia and it's caused awful pain in my right arm. The pain is so bad that I can not move my arm," said Bekbulatov. "I have had two injections already, and I wanted to wrestle, but I can not continue." 

11:47: World and Olympic bronze medalist Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) will make his tournament debut against Kubat AZIZBAEV (KGZ), next on Mat A.

11:43: Akmataliev brought the crowd to their feel with a 6-2 win over Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB), punching his ticket to the quarterfinals against Yerkebulan SHYNYKUL (KAZ).

11:30: It's official, Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) receives the injury default win over Kumar RAVI (IND) in 61kg qualification round. He'll meet the winner of  Emrah ORMANOGLU (TUR) and Assyl AITAKYN (KAZ) in the quarterfinals.

11:19: This place is going to erupt in about five minutes. Kyrgyzstan's world silver medalists Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) is in the call room, waiting to be called to Mat C, where he'll wrestle Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB) in the opening round at 70kg.

11:07: One of the most important storylines we'll be following today is the three-way competition for the Azerbaijan's 74kg starting spot between Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE)Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE) and Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE). "This event is the one of the selection stages. The second stage will be the Poland Open. After those events, we'll review the results and select the starter [for Belgrade]," said Azerbaijan's head freestyle coach, Khetag GAZUMOV.

10:45: This just in: Kumar RAVI (IND) has pulled out of the Ranking Series event. According to the Indian coaching staff, the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist injured his knee while warming up and won't compete in Bishkek.

10:40: Good morning, wrestling fans. Today is the final day of wrestling at the Ranking Series event. During the first few days of the competition, we had around 25 matches per mat in the morning session. Today, we have 40 matches per mat which means there will be either a small break or no break at all.

#WrestleBratislava

Sidakov vs Valiev set for European gold at 74kg

By Vinay Siwach

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 8) -- Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) will wrestle for the European gold medal for the first time in his career.

The four-time world champion, who last and only time wrestled at the European Championships in 2016, entered the 74kg final in Bratislava, Slovakia on Tuesday. He will take on Paris Olympic bronze medalist Chermen VALIEV (ALB) for the gold medal.

Sidakov defeated Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 2-0, in the 74kg semifinal after he took out four-time European champion Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), 4-2, in a close quarterfinal.

Valiev defeated Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) 6-0 in the other semifinal as he countered in style while keeping his attacks. He scored from leg-attack when Novruzov was on the activity clock and countered an attempted attack from Novruzov for another takedown.

A stepout made it 6-0 as Valiev booked his spot in the final against Sidakov, who won their last meeting 3-2 three years ago.

Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM)Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) battles Zelimkhan HARUTYUNYAN (ALB) in the 61kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 61kg, Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) moved to the final after beating Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) 5-2 in a thrilling semifinal. Harutyunyan scored a takedown and lace to lead 4-0 in the first period and maintained the lead for a long time before Abakarov hit a arm-throw for two points. Harutyunyan kept the 4-2 lead despite Abakarov's desperate attempts to score.

The four-time European champion will face Zavur UGUEV (UWW) for the gold medal after the Tokyo Olympic champion rocked Dzmitry SHAMELA (UWW) 10-0 in a one-sided semifinal. Mixing his attacks, Uguev hit a double-leg for four to finish the bout.

Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW)Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) hits a cradle throw on Artur NAIFONOV (UWW) in their 86kg semifinal during the European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

The 86kg final will between Olympic champion Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) and Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW), a rematch of the 2020 European final at 79kg which Kadzimahamedau won.

Kadzimahamedau had to pull out his iconic cradle for four to pull off a win over Artur NAIFONOV (GRE). He was trailing 3-2 when he hit the move and secured a 6-3 win.

Ramazanov entered the final after he had a field day in Bratislava. He secured a fall over over Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) in the semifinal. He was ahead 5-0 before a big double-leg attack for two points and figure-four turn made it 9-0. He held Jezierzanski on the back and secured the fall.

Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) returned to the European final, although in a new weight class. The Paris Olympic bronze medalist at 86kg was wrestling at 92kg and survived a scare against former European champion Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR), winning 3-3 on criteria.

Akturk fell behind 2-1 and scored a stepout with 10 seconds left on the clock to make it 2-2 but Kurugliev led on criteria for his takedown in the first period. Turkiye challenged the call asking for a takedown but lost the challenge to make 3-2 for Kurugliev.

Akturk scored another stepout but that was all he could do in the final 10 seconds and Kurugliev won 3-3.

He will take on Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) for the gold medal after the Azerbaijan wrestler defeated world silver medalist Mirani MAISURADZE (GEO) 5-2 in the other semifinal.

At 125kg, Paris Olympic bronze medalist Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) will clash with Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) for the gold medal after the two had to dug deep in the semifinals.

Meshvildishvili hung on for a 8-5 win over Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW) after the latter made it 6-5.

Manashvili scored a four-pointer to beat Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL), 8-3 and enter the gold medal bout.

RESULTS

61kg
GOLD: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs. Zavur UGUEV (UWW)

SF 1: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 5-2
SF 2: Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Dzmitry SHAMELA (UWW), 10-0

74kg
GOLD: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) vs. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW)

SF 1: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) df. Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE), 6-0
SF 2: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 2-0

86kg
GOLD: Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) vs. Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW)

SF 1: Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) df. Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL), via fall (9-0)
SF 2: Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) df. Artur NAIFONOV (UWW), 6-3

92kg
GOLD: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) vs. Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE)

SF 1: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 5-2
SF 2: Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) df. Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR), 3-3

125kg
GOLD: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) vs. Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO)

SF 1: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) df. Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW), 8-5
SF 2: Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) df. Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL), 8-3