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

#WrestleZagreb

Kayaalp wins record equaling 12th European gold

Saturday, April 22, 2023 - 17:32 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (April 22) -- It's a monk-like walk for Riza KAYAALP (TUR) you have seen a million times over in the last 18 years. He emerges from the call room and walks slowly to the mat. A determined look on his face, there is no last-minute cracking of the fingers or rubs on his arms. He looks in the zone.

In Zagreb on Saturday, at stake is a European title. But for Kayaalp, a win will tie him with Aleksandr KARELIN (RWF), a 12-time European champion, apart from being a three-time Olympic and nine-time world champion.

The 12 titles are the most for a wrestler in Europe. No one has been able to come close to that record of Karelin. Until Kayaalp, who had 11 golds till Saturday.

As Kayaalp walks to the center of the mat, standing in front of him is Sabah SHARIATI (AZE), a wrestler taller than Kayaalp. But that's it. That's the only advantage Shariati has against Kayaalp.

Kayaalp, battling a hamstring injury, will push around Shariati before defending a one-point lead for more than 90 seconds to claim a record-equaling 12th European gold medal. For a record that many thought will never be broken, Kayaalp has equaled it.

The traditionalist will remind Kayaalp of Karelin's nine world titles. Some fans will call for Kayaalp's losses against four-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and call the Cuban better.

Kayaalp and Karelin have different wrestling styles. One is built like a giant human, taller than all the average ones you meet. He would pick wrestlers for fun and do the famous reverse left as if it was child's play. He terrorized his opponents.

Kayaalp has none of that. He works on his opponents, sometimes forcing them to take an upper hand. Then he comes back in the second period to secure those criteria wins. He gut-wrenches those massive bodies with ease. And he is the most well-groomed wrestler that steps on the mat. Maybe Yunus BASAR (TUR) comes close.

But it's not Kayaalp's fault that he is compared to Karelin or Lopez. It's not Kayaalp's fault that he was born in an era with a different rule set of wrestling and more countries. It's definitely not Kayaalp's fault that he'll break wrestling records set by some of the best wrestlers in history.

At the Zagreb Arena on April 22, he was the best.

Riza KAYAALP (TUR) tries to score over Sabah SHARIATI (AZE) in the 130kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

As the mountain-like bodies of Kayaalp and Shariati collide, Kayaalp's force wakes up Shariati who seemed slow to start. But he quickly springs to action. The only problem is that Kayaalp is too strong to be pushed around.

43 seconds into the bout, Kayaalp has the first point – a stepout after he pushes Shariati out of the zone. Shariati was always in danger of conceding a stepout as he barely came close to the center of the mat.

Shortly after, the referee declares Shariati passive and he is forced into par terre. Kayaalp is up 2-0 and if he can execute a turn here, it could seal the match. He builds up momentum by moving toward the right. No turns for Kayaalp despite getting 30 seconds on the top.

The second period opens with both wrestlers adopting a more aggressive approach. Kayaalp and Shariati are trying hard to push each other. This time, Kayaalp is called passive. Shariati has a chance to win this as the forced par terre gives him one point. An additional point would boost his chances of victory.

A turn from a par terre can be it. Shariati takes forever to get his hands locked around the mammoth Kayaalp. He builds momentum but is unable to budge Kayaalp.

A minute and a half to go before the end, Kayaalp is in visible pain as he clutches on to his hamstring. But he is aware that he needs to defend his lead. He battles on in pain, blocks Shariati, and even gets warned for locking fingers, but he keeps going.

And as the referee sounds the final whistle, Kayaalp falls to the mat. He holds his hamstring and shakes his head, as if to say this wasn't the best idea. It takes him 30 seconds to get back on his feet. The referee raises his hand and Kayaalp becomes the 12-time European champion.

There have been worse days for Kayaalp physically, but he had to wrestle in the final at the European Championships, even if it meant more suffering for his already immobilized body. He had to do it for the fans who consider him a national hero, for the victims of the earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria in February [of which Kayaalp was one of the first to join the rescue operations], and for his daughter back in Ankara, who addressed him as "champion, champion" before he left for Zagreb.

A subdued celebration shows him walking with the Turkish flag. He then calmly steps off the mat before waving toward the stands. A loud cheer erupts in the Zagreb Arena. It may not be a perfect win for five-time world champion, but for his fans, he is on par with Karelin, at least in Europe.

Adem UZUN (TUR) celebrates after beating Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) in the 55kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Turkiye's other star of the day was Adem UZUN (TUR) who surprised himself and everyone in Zagreb by capping off his dream run with a gold medal over defending European and world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE).

Uzun was definitely the find of the tournament as he defeated European and world silver medalist Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) in the semifinals and followed that up with a technical superiority, 11-3, victory over Azizli to capture his first European title.

Azizli got the activity point in the first period he managed to score two points from par terre to take a 3-0 lead against Uzun. In the second period, Uzun got the par terre advantage and executed the trap-arm gut to roll Azizli five times and secure the win.

Azizli called for medical attention as soon as the final was finished. He complained of pain in his elbow and chest area, something he has previously experienced as well.

That did not stop Uzun from celebrating a well-deserved gold medal in his debut European Championships and he did it in domination fashion as all three of his wins in Zagreb were via technical superiorities.

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Amoyan, Abuladze repeat

Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) had no business winning the 77kg gold medal as he trailed 4-2 with just 13 seconds left. The defending champion was down two points against Viktor NEMES (SRB) who had his second European title in his hands.

But it was not to be. Amoyan launched an overhead jump and managed to land Nemes on his back, a move popularly known as the Flying Squirrel, to script a comeback that left Zagreb in awe.

"I thought that was four points. I didn’t really see if the leg was there or not," Amoyan said. "At the moment I can’t even describe my feelings. It was very unpredictable. I couldn’t really believe it. But when I saw the points, I was very happy. I really wanted to win. I would say that I came to the European championships to win the gold medal."

Apart from that one moment of brilliance from Amoyan, the final was dominated by Nemes. He scored a turn from par terre to take a 3-0 lead and added a pushout to make it 4-0 at the break. Furthermore, he defended from his par terre position, not conceding a single point.

With 17 seconds left in the match, Amoyan stepped back to gain momentum for the jump and brought down Nemes with a back exposure for four points. Nemes, expectedly, challenged the call, but the original decision stood. A point was added to Amoyan's score for the lost challenge.

"I believed in myself till the very end. And I did it," he said.

The U23 world champion ran to his corner to celebrate the improbable win, hugging his coach Roman AMOYAN (ARM), a two-time European champion and bronze medalist from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Amoyan won his world title at 72kg in 2021 but moved to the Olympic weight class of 77kg last year. He finished with a bronze medal in Belgrade but wants to win the gold this year.

"I don’t like to think ahead, but I will do everything to win the World Championships gold and then start getting ready for the Olympics," he said. "There is no such opponent, who I really want to wrestle against. I am prepared for anyone in any weight class. 77kg weight class is one of the toughest, you never know who is going to win."

Leri ABULADZE (GEO) scores the four points on Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE). (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 63kg, in a repeat of the 2022 final, Leri ABULADZE (GEO) defeated Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) for a second straight year to win the gold. Last year, Abuladze got one turn from par terre to win 3-1. In Saturday's final, he got one big throw from par terre to beat Mammadov 5-1.

Mammadov got the first par terre and attempted a turn but Abuladze, perhaps with fresh legs, prevented him from scoring any points. But when Abuladze got the par terre advantage, he lifted Mammadov using the same hand-to-elbow grip to score a four-point throw.

Mammadov got the first par terre and attempted a turn, but Abuladze defended well and prevented him from scoring.

Abuladze now has two European Championships gold medals, a bronze medal, a U23 world title and two silver medals at the World Championships. At the U17 and U20 levels, Abuladze has won silver medals at the World Championships.

Among all of his goals this year, winning the senior world title is at the top of the list.

"I am number one in the ranking," Abuladze said. "The World Championships are in September. I've lost matches in the last two years, and I've lost two finals. Now I'm more motivated, not double but triple, to become the world champion."

Since 63kg is not an Olympic weight class, will Abuladze go down to 60kg or bump up to 67kg in a bid to go to Paris?

"I'm thinking about taking part in the Olympic Games in Paris," he said. "But as I told you, I'm going to rest first and I can't say anything for sure in advance. I will have consultations with the coaches and we will decide all this. I would like to take this moment to wish the entire Muslim world a wonderful Eid-al-Fitr."

Istvan TAKACS (HUN) celebrates after winning the 87kg final at the European Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Hungary also got a gold medal from the first set of the Greco-Roman finals as U23 world champion Istvan TAKACS (HUN) won his first European title with a 5-2 win over Ali CENGIZ (TUR).

Takacs' performance in Zagreb was underlined by the fact that he defeated Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) 3-2 in the quarterfinals and Damin VON EUW (SUI) 5-1 in the semifinals.

In the final, however, he was in trouble as he got countered by Cengiz when he was trying to get a throw from par terre. Cengiz managed to put his feet on the mat and Takacs lost momentum, falling onto his back. The referees deemed it a leg foul from Cengiz and awarded two points for Takacs. But after a challenge, the decision was reversed and Cengiz led 2-1 at the break.

Takacs was more attacking in the second period and was awarded when he countered Cengiz's attack for a takedown from the side. Cengiz grabbed Takacs' singlet and was penalized two points. The bout resumed in par terre but no more points were scored, giving Takacs a 5-2 win over Cengiz.

Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) reached the final at 97kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Aleksanyan returns to finals

Out of the seven 2022 European Championships finalists who were in action on Saturday, only two made it to the finals on a thrilling day in Zagreb.

At 60kg, in what promises to be an exciting matchup, Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) and Victor CIOBANU (MDA) will face off in the final after both dominated their bouts including the semifinals.

Returning silver medalist Nazaryan, son of former Olympic champion Armen NAZARYAN (BUL), defeated Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM) 5-1 in the semifinal while Ciobanu, a world champion from 2021, returned to the 60kg category after almost two years at 63kg and overcame Georgii TIBILOV (SRB) 5-2 in the other semifinal.

But the bout of the day was in the quarterfinals when Ciobanu pinned defending champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR) after the score was 17-8.

The only other finalist to make it to the final in Zagreb as well was Kiril MILOV (BUL) who will wrestle world champion Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) in the 97kg for the gold medal.

Milov gave no chance to Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) in the semifinal and won 7-0. Aleksanyan is returning to the European Championships for the first time since 2020 when he won gold. He defeated Artur OMAROV (CZE) 9-0 in the semifinal.

Aleksanyan, Olympic champion from 2016 and silver medalist in Tokyo, will be hoping to win his sixth European title.

At 67kg, 20-year-old Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) stormed to his first European final with a 7-1 win over defending champion Murat FIRAT (TUR) in the semifinals. Already a world bronze medalist, Jafarov will face Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) in the final. Khetsuriani, who finished fifth at the World Championships, defeated Mihai MIHUT (ROU), 10-1.

Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) became the first Greco-Roman wrestler from France to reach the European final since 1997. And he made the moment even more memorable as he achieved the feat by beating world champion Ali ARSALAN (SRB) 6-3 in the 72kg semifinal.

He will now aim to become the first European champion from France since 1995 and for that, he will have to overcome Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE). The world silver medalist defeated Selcuk CAN (TUR) 2-1 in the other semifinal.

At 82kg, world champion Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) pinned defending European champion Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) in the semifinal to reach his first final at the event. He will now face Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) who overcame Mihail BRADU (MDA), 3-1, in the other semifinal.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Adem UZUN (TUR) df. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), 11-3

BRONZE: Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) df. Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM), 9-0
BRONZE: Denis MIHAI (ROU) df. Stefan GRIGOROV (BUL), 7-1

63kg
GOLD: Leri ABULADZE (GEO) df. Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-1

BRONZE: Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) df. Jacopo SANDRON (ITA), 1-1
BRONZE: Abu AMAEV (BUL) df. Mehmet CEKER (TUR), 6-2

77kg
GOLD: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Viktor NEMES (SRB), 6-4

BRONZE: Yunus BASAR (TUR) df. Oliver KRUEGER (DEN), 8-0
BRONZE: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) df. Alexandrin GUTU (MDA), via inj. def.

87kg
GOLD: Istvan TAKACS (HUN) df. Ali CENGIZ (TUR), 5-2

BRONZE: Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 3-0
BRONZE: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) df. Damian VON EUW (SUI), 5-2

130kg
GOLD: Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Sabah SHARIATI (AZE), 2-1

BRONZE: Oskar MARVIK (NOR) df. Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU), via fall (7-2)
BRONZE: Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) df. Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU), 1-1

Day 6 Semifinals

60kg
GOLD: Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) vs. Victor CIOBANU (MDA)

SF 2: Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) df. Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM), 5-1
SF 1: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) df. Georgii TIBILOV (SRB), 5-2

67kg
GOLD: Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) vs. Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)

SF 1: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df. Murat FIRAT (TUR), 7-1
SF 2: Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) df. Mihai MIHUT (ROU), 10-1

72kg
GOLD: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) vs. Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE)

SF 1: Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) df. Selcuk CAN (TUR), 2-1
SF 2: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) df. Ali ARSALAN (SRB), 6-3

82kg
GOLD: Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) vs. Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR)

SF 1: Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) df. Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE), via fall
SF 2: Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) df. Mihail BRADU (MDA), 3-1

97kg
GOLD: Kiril MILOV (BUL) vs. Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Artur OMAROV (CZE), 9-0
SF 2: Kiril MILOV (BUL) df. Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA), 7-0

Harutyunyan stuns Abakarov, Akgul reigns again at Euros

Comments

Kayaalp wins record equaling 12th European gold