#WrestleBudapest

Four Nations Earn Pair of Olympic Berths on Friday

Friday, March 19, 2021 - 20:02 By Eric Olanowski

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 19) --- Belarus, Bulgaria, Russia and Ukraine earned a pair of Tokyo Olympic berths, while Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) and Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) outscored their semifinal opponents 20-0 on Friday night at the European Olympic Qualifier.

Hrushyna Akobiia and Koliadenko were flawless en route to booking Ukrainian Olympic tickets at 57kg and 62kg, respectively.

Hrushyna Akobiia, the ’20 European runner-up, scored 16 points and only surrendered one on her way to reaching the 57kg finals. She stopped two-time world medalist Emese BARKA (HUN), 6-1, then shot down Sara LINDBORG’S (SWE) hopes of booking Sweden’s second ticket of the day to the Tokyo Olympic Games.

In her semifinals meeting with Lindborg, Hrushyna Akobiia scored four takedowns before sticking Lindborg to her back in the bout's closing seconds. She was inches away from booking the fall but time expired and she was awarded the 10-0 technical superiority victory.

She’ll wrestle Bulgaria’s Evelina NIKOLOVA for gold on Saturday night. The ’15 world bronze medalist earned her nation's Tokyo berth with a 4-2 come-from-behind win over Bediha GUN (TUR). Nikolova and Gun traded takedowns, but the Bulgarian restored her lead with a late second-period takedown to gain the two-point advantage.

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) snaps down her Geman opponent at the European Olympic Qualifier. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Koliadenko was the second Ukrainian wrestler to score a perfect ten and earn an Olympic license. She barely broke a sweat in her semifinals match agast Mariana CHERDIVARA ESANU (MDA). She blew through the Moldovian wrestler, 10-0, in the first period and will compete tomorrow night for 62kg European OG Qualifier gold.

She’ll square off with Latvia’s now-three-time Olympian, Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT). The 30-year-old and former European champion denied Elif YESILIRMAK’s (TUR) attempt at becoming the first Turkish woman to reach three Olympic Games with a 4-4 come-from-behind victory.

Grigorjeva trailed 3-0 but capitalized on two second-period shot attempts and won, 4-4.

Belarus, Bulgaria and Russia also cemented a pair of Olympic spots through Friday night’s semifinal winning performances.

Belarus’ berths came from Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) and Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR), who put on semifinal shows at 53kg and 76kg, respectively.

Kaladzinskaya, a two-time world champion, led Iulia LEORDA (MDA), 9-0, when she stopped wrestling after thinking she earned the 11-0 technical superiority win. She surrendered a reversal and a takedown but comfortably cruised to the 9-3 win.

She’ll go toe-to-toe with Rio Olympic bronze medalist and fellow world champion Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) on Saturday night.

Mattsson seized Sweden’s 53kg Olympic quota with a semifinal fall over Russia’s Stalvira ORSHUSH.

Marzaliuk looked marvelous in her semifinals meeting against Mariya ORYASHKOVA (BUL). The '17 world finalist got to her double underhooks and the rest was history. She only needed just over two minutes to pick up the fall and move into the 76kg finals. 

Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) and the aforementioned Nikolova punched Bulgaria’s pair of women’s wrestling tickets to Tokyo with wins on Friday night.

Selishka fell behind 1-0 against Poland’s 38-year-old Iwona MATKOWSKA but strung together two takedowns for the 4-1 victory. Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), a two-time world medalist, awaits the European champion in the 50kg finals.

The 25-year-old had a minimal 1-0 lead over Julie SABATIE (FRA) after the first period but flew out of the gates in the second period with a head inside single, coupled with a gut wrench to extend to lead to 5-0. Although she shut it down with 30 seconds, she cried tears of joy with a 5-1 victory.

Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) was one of two Russian wrestlers who earn Olympic berths on Friday night. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Russia was the final country that had a pair of semifinal winners on Friday night.

Heavy hitters Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) and Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS) were the ticket punchers that we’ll wrestle for gold on Saturday night.

Velieva, the stone-cold 21-year-old, completely shut down fellow European champion Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) in their semifinals clash. The young Russian earned back-to-back one-point exchanges in the first period, then grabbed a pair of second-period takedowns to win, 6-0.

Velieva will wrestle 21-year-old Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) for 68kg gold.

Larroque, who became the ninth French woman to qualify for the Olympic Games, rocked Dalma CANEVA (ITA), 10-0, in the semifinals. The two-time world-medal winner scored three takedowns in the first period and closed out the match with a takedown and an exposure in the second period to claim the 11-0 shutout win.

Although it wasn’t the ideal way you’d want to qualify, London Olympic champion Vorobeva snuck past Martina KUENZ (AUT), 2-1, thanks to a pair of inactivity calls. She’ll wrestle the long and lengthy Marzaliuk for the 76kg crown on Saturday night.

The European Olympic Qualifiers resume on Saturday morning at 11:00 with Greco-Roman action taking center stage.

RESULTS

50kg
GOLD - Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) vs. Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL)
SEMIFINAL - Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) df. Iwona Nina MATKOWSKA (POL), 4 – 1
SEMIFINAL - Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) df. Julie SABATIE (FRA), 5-1

53kg
GOLD - Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) vs. Sofia Magdalena MATTSSON (SWE)
SEMIFINAL - Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) df. Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS), via fall
SEMIFINAL - Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) df. Iulia LEORDA (MDA), 

57kg
GOLD - Evelina Georgieva NIKOLOVA (BUL) vs. Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR)
SEMIFINAL - Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) df. Sara LINDBORG (SWE), 10-0
SEMIFINAL - Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) df. Bediha GUN (TUR), 4-2

62kg
GOLD - Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) vs. Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT)
SEMIFINAL - Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT) df. Elif Jale YESILIRMAK (TUR), 4-4
SEMIFINAL - Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) df. Mariana CHERDIVARA (MDA),10-0

68kg
GOLD - Koumba Selene Fanta LARROQUE (FRA) vs. Khanum VELIEVA (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) df. Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), 6-0
SEMIFINAL - Koumba Selene Fanta LARROQUE (FRA) df. Dalma CANEVA (ITA), 11-0

76kg
GOLD - Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) vs. Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS) df. Martina KUENZ (AUT), 2-1
SEMIFINAL - Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) df. Mariya ORYASHKOVA (BUL), via fall

#WrestleBratislava

Prevolaraki steps closer to historic European gold; Bullen vs Ringaci final at 65kg

Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 08:31 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 10) -- Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) has got a chance to end her search for the elusive European gold medal. 

The 33-year-old entered her fifth European Championships final and with a hope of becoming the second wrestler from Greece to win the gold medal in Women's Wrestling. The four-time Olympian made her first finals' appearance in 2013 but finished with a silver medal. She earned the same medal in 2014, 2021 and 2022.

Prevolaraki defeated Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) via fall after building a 12-4 in the 53kg semifinal and booked her spot against former European champion Andreea ANA (ROU).

Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) gave Ana a big scare in the other semifinal, leading 3-2 with just 15 seconds remaining. But Ana hit a takedown for two points and got the lead back. Malysheva tried getting a reversal but the time ran out.

Sweden made sure it has one finalists in Women's Wrestling, a streaking dating back to 2022. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) made it to three successive finals, winning two golds and a silver last year.

On Thursday, it was Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) who reached the final at 62kg with a dominant win over Paris Olympian Lucia NIEMESCH (GER). Lindborg has a bronze medal from 2020 but finished fifth in 2023 and 2024.

Against Niemesch, Lindborg scored a stepout and takedown to lead 3-0 before she blocked a headthrow from Niemesch for two points, added a turn to lead 7-0. Germany challenged the call for a slip throw but lost, making it 8-0 for Lindborg.

Niemesch completed an attack in the second period and scored two points but Lindborg defended her 8-2 lead for the win.

Standing between her and the gold medal is world U23 champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) who survived a late attack from Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) and won her semifinal 8-4. Bondar, who has almost won everything at the age-group level, is making her senior European debut.

At 65kg, two Paris Olympic medalists from 62kg were entered. However, only one made it to the final.

Paris bronze medalist Grace BULLEN (NOR) pinned her way to the gold medal bout, spending only eight minutes on the mat of her 18 for three bouts. In the semifinal, she pinned Olha PADOSHYK (POL) after a 6-0 lead.

In the other semifinal, Paris silver medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) was no match for former world and European champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) who once again countered the leg-attacks with ease. Ringaci moved into the final with an 11-0 win.

Returning champion at 72kg Nesrin BAS (TUR) will defend her title against Alla BELINSKA (UKR) on Friday. Bas defeated Daniela TKACHUK (POL), 11-3, in the semifinal while Belinksa took out Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 8-2.

RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Andreea ANA (ROU) vs. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)

SF 1: Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) df. Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), via fall (12-4)
SF 2: Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW), 5-3

57kg
GOLD: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) vs. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW)

SF 1: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) df. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), 9-4
SF 2: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) df. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE), via inj. def. (4-2)

62kg
GOLD: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) vs. Iryna BONDAR (UKR)

SF 1: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) df. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), 8-4
SF 2: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) df. Alina KASABIEVA (UWW), 8-4

65kg
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA) vs. Grace BULLEN (NOR)

SF 1: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), 11-0
SF 2: Grace BULLEN (NOR) df. Olha PADOSHYK (POL), via fall

72kg
GOLD: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) vs. Nesrin BAS (TUR)

SF 1: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 8-2
SF 2: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Daniela TKACHUK (POL), 11-3

Qualification bouts blog follows below

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 RESULTS

The semifinals will begin at 16:45

53kg
SF 1: Andreea ANA (ROU) vs. Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW)
SF 2: Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) vs. Zeynep YETGIL (TUR)

57kg
SF 1: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) vs. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE)
SF 2: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) vs. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR)

62kg
SF 1: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) vs. Alina KASABIEVA (UWW)
SF 2: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) vs. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER)

65kg
SF 1: Olha PADOSHYK (POL) vs. Grace BULLEN (NOR)
SF 2: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) vs. Irina RINGACI (MDA)

72kg
SF 1: Nesrin BAS (TUR) vs. Daniela TKACHUK (POL)
SF 2: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) vs. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA)

12:30: Paris Olympic silver medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) led 10-3 and was lacing Beyza AKKUS (TUR) when the Turkiye wrestler called for medical and was announced injured, giving Koliadenko the win and a spot in the 65kg semifinals.

12:25: Big four and a fall for Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) over Amina CAPEZAN (ROU) at 62kg. Capezan took a 6-5 lead but Lindborg answered with a double-leg attack and the fall to enter the semifinal.

12:22: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) takes out Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) at 62kg. Bondar with a takedown before Dudova tried to bounce back but Bondar counters and turns Dudova for a 7-1 lead. A lost challenge from Dudova which gives Bondar a 8-1 lead which is the final score.

12:14: No time wasted by world U23 champion Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) who pancakes Magdalena GLODEK (POL) for a fall at 57kg and enter the semifinal.

12:12: A heartbreak for the local fans! Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK) had it all under control, leading 5-3 and about to pin Daniela TKACHUK (POL). But the Polish wrestler reverse the fall position and scores two points in the final second to win 5-5 on criteria.

12:10: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) survives a final second scare and wins 5-2 over Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) at 53kg. Yetgil led 4-0 and attempted for the leg hold to defend the lead in the final five seconds. But Krawczyk spun behind and added a roll but it was after the time.

12:05: Grace BULLEN (NOR) books her spot in the 65kg semifinals with an 11-0 win over Dinara KUDAEVA (UWW). A big four-pointer to finish off the bout.

12:00: Defending champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) hangs on for 2-1 win against returning silver medalist Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) in what was a rematch of the final from last year. Bas led 2-0 at the break before being called passive in the second period. But Anghel failed to score one more point for win.

11:55: Andreea ANA (ROU) and Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) in a tense battle at 53kg. Malanchuk with an early takedown to take a 2-0 lead but Ana answers with a takedown and leads 2-2 on criteria. Single leg takedown in the second period for a 4-2 lead for Ana. Malanchuk fires double-leg attack and claim a 4-4 criteria lead with a minute and 40 seconds left. With 15 seconds left, Malanchuk gets cautioned for hair pulling and point for Ana who wins 5-4.

11:48: How did Irina RINGACI (MDA) tangle Eniko ELEKES (HUN) and secure the fall there? Ringaci blocks the lower part of Elekes with her leg and has her arm locked. There is no way Elekes can move. Ringaci wins inside one minute.

11:40: Veteran Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), searching for her first European title, has a good start with a 5-0 win over Viyaleta REBIKAVA CHYRYK (UWW) at 53kg. She get a point for Rebikava's passivity before adding a takedown and two more points in the second period.

11:30: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) is into the semifinals at 57kg! She works up a 6-0 win over Evelina HULTHEN (SWE) and will wrestle for a spot in the final later tonight

11:20: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) gets the benefits of Lydia PEREZ (ESP) who is passive and Dudova wins 3-0 at 62kg. The four-time champion moves a step closer to her fifth title.

11:14: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) gives Sweden its first win of the day! She works hard for her 11-2 win over Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) at 62kg but controls it throughout the six minutes.

11:12: Grace BULLEN (NOR) needs only 40 seconds to roll over Marta OJEDA NAVARRO (ESP) and win her first bout at 65kg. Great start for the Paris Olympic bronze medalist

11:00: World U23 champion and senior European debutant Iryna BONDAR (UKR) starts off at 62kg with a 10-0 technical superiority over Nikolett SZABO (HUN).

10:55: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) scores seven points in the second period and beats world U20 champion Aryna MARTYNAVA (UWW) 7-1 at 57kg.

10:50: Quick finish on Mat B as defending champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) pins Elvira ERSSON (SWE) and moves on at 72kg. Bas recently on the European U23 gold medal at 68kg but she is going at 72kg here in Bratislava.

10:45: Age-group European champion Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) with a 10-0 victory over Mihaela SAMOIL (MDA) in just over two minutes to start her campaign at 57kg.

10:30: The fourth day at the European Championships in Bratislava and its all women's wrestling. Paris Olympic medalists Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) and Grace BULLEN (NOR) are both in 65kg and competing for gold.