Host Serbia puts two into GR finals on opening day of Worlds

Saturday, September 10, 2022 - 20:16 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 10) -- The opening act of the World Championships was a smash for the home team, as host Serbia saw two wrestlers advance to the finals of the four Greco-Roman weight classes that kicked off the tournament on Saturday in Belgrade.

Defending champion Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) put himself in a position for a repeat of the 87kg gold medal he won last year in Oslo, while Iran-born Ali ARSALAN (SRB) earned a shot at a first world title at 72kg.

Azerbaijan will also have two wrestlers in action on the first night of finals at Stark Arena on Sunday when Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) will look to regain the world 55kg title that he won in 2018, and European bronze medalist Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) will go for gold at 72kg.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) made his first world final at 77kg, earning a clash with surprising Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), who denied Serbia a third finalist when he knocked off former world champion Viktor NEMES (SRB).

Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) won his 87kg semifinal 4-3. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Datunashvili, sporting his trademark cornrow braids, had to scrape his way into the 87kg final, where he will try to prevent European champion Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) from becoming Denmark's first-ever world champion in Greco-Roman.

"For the Serbian people, for Serbian sports, I want to win it tomorrow," Datunashvili said.

All three of Datsunashvili's matches went the distance, including a 4-3 nail-biter in the semifinals over 2021 world U23 silver medalist David LOSONCZI (HUN). His ability to stay calm under pressure earned the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist a trip back to the finals.

Against Losonczi, Datunashvili barely managed to gain a 2-point exposure from par terre, then managed to hang on after Losonczi scored a stepout that had a one-point fleeing penalty tacked on and cut the gap to a point.

Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN), blue, defeated Ali CENGIZ (TUR) 6-0 in the semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

In the final match of the session, Bisultanov took advantage of a rare second passivity call in his favor against Ali CENGIZ (TUR), scoring a 4-point throw in the second period to secure a 6-0 victory. That made him the first Dane to make a world Greco final since 2015 when Mark MADSEN (DEN) won the fourth and last of his silver medals at 74-75kg.

"I am very looking forward to it [the final]," Bisultanov said. "I was thinking that he or Hungarian will go to the final and yeah, they were both in the semifinals and had a very close match. I don't know, we will see what happens tomorrow, I and my coaches will see what we can do and I will do my best tomorrow."

Bisultanov said the vocal group of Danish fans in the venue will take away some of the home-field advantage of his opponent.

"Of course, every time you are at home you feel more energy, you have to do something for your home, for your fans," he said. "But luckily I got my crazy Danish fans here. I hope my fans will beat the Serbian fans, and I'll beat him as well."

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) celebrates after scoring a 9-0 win over Max NOWRY (USA) in the 55kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 55kg, the final will be a clash between the two bronze medalists from Oslo 2021 -- both former world champions, as well -- although Azizli will seem to have the upper hand on Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO), having beaten him six months ago in the final at the European Championships.

Azizli stormed into the final with his third technical fall of the day, overwhelming Max NOWRY (USA) 9-0 in 1:44 in the first semifinal. Put on top in par terre, Azizli went right to work, ripping off a pair of gut wrenches before transitioning to a 4-point throw.

Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) will try to win his second world title on Sunday. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Tsurtsumia, the 2019 world champion, advanced to the final with a 5-3 victory over Asian silver medalist Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ). Tsurtsumia fell behind 3-3 on criteria when he gave up a defensive takedown early in the second period, but he immediately came back with a stepout to regain the lead.

The final will be the third meeting between Azizli and Tsurtsumia in two years. The two also met in the quarterfinals of the 2021 European Championships, with Azizli winning 10-1 en route to a bronze medal.

"I've lost to Azizli around seven or even eight times," Tsurtsumia said. "But it doesn't matter, because tomorrow I will wrestle till the very end. I'm not going to tell you now what exactly I'm gonna do, but you will see it all tomorrow. I'll take revenge."

Ali ARSALAN (SRB) pinned Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) in the 72kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In the 72kg semifinals, Arsalan had the play of the day when he used a slick duck-under to a half-nelson that put Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) onto his back, where he secured a fall at 2:33.

That had come after Arsalan, a 2017 Asian bronze medalist who began competing for Serbia last year, had scored a reversal from the bottom of par terre.

"First of all, I am so glad that I made it to the final, it's really good for me," Arsalan said, "but it's not enough for me. I should recover myself and my body and my mind. Tomorrow I should be myself on the mat."

Earlier in the day, Arsalan defeated Robert FRITSCH (HUN) 7-3 to avenge a loss in the quarterfinals of the European Championships in June, where he won a bronze medal.

Ganizade made the final by edging Selcuk CAN (TUR) 4-3 in a battle of 2020 European bronze medalists. Both scored 2-point throws from par terre, but Ganizade added a stepout after his to provide the margin of difference.

Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), red, defeated Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) 4-1 in the 77kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 77kg, Makhmudov and Levai made it through a grueling gauntlet of 33 entries which saw three world medalists from 2021, including the champion at 72kg, and an Olympic bronze medalist fall by the wayside.

"Tomorrow there will be revenge against Zoltan Levai," Makhmudov said. "I already lost to him once and I defeated him once as well. I want to do my best to show the Kyrgyz soul, to show what our wrestlers are capable of."

Makhmudov once again confirmed a changing of the guard in Asia when the 23-year-old knocked off veteran Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) 4-1 in the semifinals. After a successful defense from the bottom of par terre, Makhmudov scored with a roll during his turn on top.

"I am really satisfied with today's performance," said Makhmudov, who beat Kim in the semifinals of the Asian Championships in April, where he won his second continental title.

Kim won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics and bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) celebrates after beating Viktor NEMES (SRB) 3-1 in the 72kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Levai finished off a long and exhausting day by beating Nemes 3-1 in the other semifinal. It was his fifth match of the day, which started with a 3-3 win over 2021 world 72kg champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM).

It's been a good year for Levai. He came into Belgrade having won international tournaments in Rome, Warsaw and Mladenovac, Serbia, over a three-month span through August.

At least Amoyan still has a shot at a bronze medal. Among those who didn't make it to the repechage were 2021 silver medalist Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), 2021 bronze medalist Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Shohei YABIKU (JPN).

On Sunday, competition through the semifinals will be held in Greco 63kg, 67kg, 82kg and 97kg.

Day 1 Greco-Roman Results

55kg (18 entries)

Semifinals
Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Max NOWRY (USA) by TF, 9-0, 1:44
Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) df. Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ), 5-3

72kg (25 entries)

Semifinals
Ali ARSALAN (SRB) df. Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) by fall, 2:33 (5-1)
Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) df. Selcuk CAN (TUR), 4-3

77kg (33 entries)

Semifinals
Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) df. Viktor NEMES (SRB), 3-1
Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) df. Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR), 4-1

87kg (30 entries)

Semifinals
Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) df. David LOSONCZI (HUN), 4-3
Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) df. Ali CENGIZ (TUR), 6-0

#WrestleBelgrade

Nemes stuns Geraei for 67kg world title amid Serbian gold rush

Monday, September 12, 2022 - 18:06 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 12) -- Another time, another place, and the outcome would likely have been different. But riding the high energy from a home crowd that has been pushing its wrestlers to extraordinary heights, Mate NEMES (SRB) pulled off an upset for the ages.

Nemes continued host Serbia's incredible gold rush when he rallied to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the reigning world and Olympic champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) in the Greco-Roman 67kg final on Monday, the third day of the World Championships in Belgrade.

"This fight was exceptionally hard," Nemes said. "In the first period, the opponent was two times stronger than me, or maybe it was all in my head. I managed to defend myself from his toughest grip, which helped him win all of his matches in this World Championships."

Geraei looked to be in a good position to repeat as world champion when he took a 4-0 lead in the first period, scoring a 2-point defensive takedown and getting two for a leg foul when he attempted a lift and throw.

In the second period, Geraei tried to execute a roll while in on a takedown attempt, but Nemes halted the move and caught the Iranian on his back for his first two points of the match. That fired up the Stark Arena crowd and seemed to turn the tide, and Nemes picked up on the energy.

Nemes, put on top in par terre, managed to muscle Geraei over with a gut wrench to go ahead 5-4 with 1:25, then held off everything the Iranian threw at him to secure the biggest victory of his career and add to the world bronze he won in 2019.

Mate NEMES (SRB) defended everything Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) threw at him in the 67kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

"Those who are one percent psychologically more ready, will win," Nemes said. "In this fight, I was psychologically stronger in the second period. The opponent was last year’s world and Olympic champion, and I think he felt more pressure on him. The crowd helped a lot. In the second period, I didn’t give 100%, but 130%, 140%."

Serbia, which had won only a total of three world Greco golds in its young history coming into the competition, suddenly has four in this event alone. That has put the host on top of the team standings, although it will certainly be overtaken by Azerbaijan and possibly Turkey on the final day Monday.

Geraei had not lost at 67kg since falling to Renat ILIAZ UULU (KGZ) in the round-robin at the Asian U23 Championships in March 2019; since then, he had won six straight tournaments, including last year's Olympics and World Championships and the 2019 senior Asian title.

Nemes, who finished third at a pre-worlds international tournament in Warsaw, lost in the first round at the Tokyo Olympics to Frank STAEBLER (GER), who proceeded to lose to Geraei. His victory gives him the confidence to go further next time.

"I only need to win an Olympic gold, and then I’ll have won all the medals," Nemes said.

Sebastian NAD (SRB) won the gold medal at 63kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Sebastian NAD (SRB) preceded his compatriot Nemes onto the top of the medal podium when he edged Leri ABULADZE (GEO) for the 63kg gold with a hard-fought 3-1 victory in the final.

"Abdulaze is a great wrestler," Nad said. "We had wrestled in February, so we both knew each other from before. In the end, it was again 3-1 for me. For me, he’s one of the best, and I wish him all the success."

Nad was put on top in par terre in the first period and he took advantage, completing a gut wrench to lead 3-0. The positions were reversed in the second, and Nad held his ground to preserve the lead and add to Serbia's gold tally.

"Today I was ready to die, I was ready to do everything to win," Nad said. "I won this fight without mistakes and I am very happy."

Not surprisingly, winning in front of the home crowd made the victory that much more special. And it will take some time for it all to sink in.

"This is my first big senior competition here in Belgrade, so I feel great," he said. "My first medal was in Novi Sad four years ago, I won second place then, and now I won first place in Belgrade. Everything is still new to me, so I’m still not aware of it."

Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) won his fourth world title and first since 2017. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Superstar Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) added another chapter to his growing legend when he captured a fourth gold medal in his sixth world final, notching a solid 5-1 victory over Kiril MILOV (BUL) at 97kg.

Aleksanyan, who won his third Olympic medal with a silver in Tokyo last year, got the chance in par terre in the first period and executed a back-and-forth pair of rolls to account for all of his points. He was at the bottom in the second period, but could not be budged by reigning European champion Milov.

"That’s my fourth world gold," said Aleksanyan, whose most recent world title came in 2017 after having to default in the final of the 2019 worlds. "For two years I couldn’t make it because of injuries. Thank God after the Olympic Games I took a year break and treated them all."

The 30-year-old Aleksanyan, who suffered a hamstring injury at the Tokyo Olympics and competed in Belgrade with his right shoulder strapped, hopes his injury worries are behind him.

"I am now in a good shape, but still not perfect because I’ve just recovered after the injury," he said. "I hope in the future I’ll get in better shape."

Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) gets the turn against Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) in the 82kg final. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 82kg, 2021 silver medalist Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) made the big step up to the top of the podium when he rallied to a 7-6 victory over 2019 bronze medalist Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB).

Berdimuratov, looking to become just the second-ever Greco champion from Uzbekistan, looked well on his way when he opened the match with a 4-point arm throw. Akbudak came back with a pair of stepouts to cut the gap to 4-2, but on a third attempt, Berdimuratov shrugged him by and scored a takedown for a 6-2 lead at the break.

In the second period, Akbudak got his chance when he received a passivity point and was put on top in par terre. From there, he ripped off consecutive gut wrenches to take the lead for the first time with 1:16 left, and he held on for the gold.

Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) won the bronze at 67kg after a 25-point thriller. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

25-point thriller highlights bronze bouts

The day's bronze-medal matches featured the wildest encounter of the tournament, as Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) cut loose with 17 points in the second period to defeat Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) in a 25-point thriller at 67kg.

Ismailov, the Asian silver medalist, went into the second period trailing 5-0. A stepout put him six points behind, but, having been put on top in par terre, he got a 2-point exposure and another two points for a foul. Then he really got in gear, launching a succession of crowd-pleasing throws for two, two and four points, before ending the match at 5:33 with a 4-point headlock throw for a 17-8 win.

Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), the 2021 world U23 and junior champion, followed with a comparatively staid 8-2 victory over Murat FIRAT (TUR) for the other 67kg bronze, which he capped with a 4-point throw following a reversal from the bottom of par terre.

Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) executed a five-point move in his bronze medal bout. (Photo: UWW / Kostandin Andonov)

At 63kg, Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) won his first world medal at age 33, and he did it in impressive fashion by beating Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) 10-4.

Mammadov, the European silver medalist the past two years, had just been rolled in par terre when he twisted to face Poghosyan and slammed him backward for four points. A short time later, he lifted Poghosyan up and after a dramatic pause, sent him flying for a 5-pointer.

The other 63kg bronze went to Erbatu TUO (CHN), who got the gut wrench from par terre and defeated Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI) 4-1.

At 82kg, Tamas LEVAI (HUN) joined his brother as a medalist by posting a 3-1 win over Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE), the 2021 champion who will leave Belgrade empty-handed.

Put on the bottom of par terre for the second time, Levai stopped a roll attempt and put Huseynov on his back for the 2 points that gave him the bronze. His brother Zoltan won the silver at 77kg on Sunday.

The other 82kg bronze went to Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR), who got the roll in par terre to defeat European silver medalist Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) 3-1 and earn his first-ever major senior-level medal.

World champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI), right, won the bronze medal at 97kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 97kg, defending champion and Olympic bronze medalist Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) bounced back from his heartbreaking semifinal loss to Aleksanyan by outclassing Metehan BASAR (TUR) 6-1 for the bronze.

A roll from par terre and two stepouts were more than enough for Saravi, who denied Basar his first world medal since the Turk won back-to-back golds in 2017-18.

Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) defended twice from the bottom of par terre, and was ahead on criteria when a lost challenge gave him a final point and the other 97kg bronze medal with a 2-1 victory over two-time European medalist Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA).

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) reached 62kg final after beating world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) 11-5 in the semifinals. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Ozaki gets best of Tynybekova again

In the semifinals held earlier in the session, recently crowned world U20 champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) showed she could defeat a healthy Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), knocking off the defending world champion 11-5 in women's 62kg.

Taking a 3-2 lead into the second period, the 19-year-old Ozaki scored a 4-point takedown and then stretched the gap to 9-2. A whizzer sent Tynybekova to her back for two more, but the Kyrgyz managed to reverse the situation and put Ozaki precariously on her back for a moment. But the two-time world cadet champion held on for the victory.

Last year in Oslo, Tynybekova knocked off Ozaki in the first round en route to her second world title, while Ozaki came back to take home the bronze. They met again last April in the final at the Asian Championships in Mongolia, a match that Ozaki won by injury default while leading 9-1 when Tynybekova suffered a foot injury as Ozaki was reeling off her trademark lace lock.

Ozaki, who had to beat Olympic champion Yukako KAWAI (JPN) to make the Japanese team, will face last year's silver medalist, Kayla MIRACLE (USA), in Tuesday's final.

The American was in a 3-point hole against Ana GODINEZ (CAN) when she put her directly onto her back with a slick barrel roll and secured a fall at 1:38.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympic 53kg champion Mayu SHIDOCHI (JPN), who has moved up to 55kg in the non-Olympic year, stormed into the final by routing 2019 world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) by 12-0 technical fall.

Shidochi, a two-time world champion at 55kg, capped the victory with a 4-point tackle that ended the match in 2:10.

Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) defeated Olympic silver medalist Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) in the 60kg semifinals. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

In the two remaining Greco weight classes, young Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) pulled a shocker when he scraped out a 5-5 victory on criteria over Olympic silver medalist and two-time world champion Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) at 60kg.

Nazaryan, the 2021 European U20 champion at 63kg, scored a 4-point move when he bulled an off-balance Fumita to his back at the edge at the end of the first period, then gained an all-important fifth point when the Japanese side unsuccessfully challenged.

In the final, Nazaryan will face another tough Asian in 2021 world silver medalist Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), who scored two takedowns and a throw in defeating Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) 7-0.

Riza KAYAALP (TUR) went past Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) 5-3 in the 130kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 130kg, Riza KAYAALP (TUR) earned a shot at a fifth world gold when he forged a 5-3 victory over four-time Asian medalist Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB).

The Uzbekistan wrestler took a 3-0 lead from par terre, but after being rolled, Kayaalp moved to the front and got two points back with a front lift to make it 3-2 after the first period. In the second, Kayaalp earned a passivity point and a stepout to clinch the win.

His opponent will be the dangerous 2021 world U23 champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI), who defeated Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) 2-1, with a first-period stepout proving to be the decider.

Day 3 Results

Greco-Roman

60kg (29 entries)
Semifinal - Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) df. Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), 5-5
Semifinal - Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), 7-0

63kg (30 entries)
Gold - Sebastian NAD (SRB) df. Leri ABULADZE (GEO), 3-1

Bronze - Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM), 10-4
Bronze - Erbatu TUO (CHN) df. Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI), 4-1

67kg (30 entries)
Gold - Mate NEMES (SRB) df. Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI), 5-4

Bronze - Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df. Murat FIRAT (TUR), 8-2
Bronze - Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) df. Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) by TF, 17-8, 5:33

82kg (25 entries)
Gold - Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) df. Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB), 7-6

Bronze - Tamas LEVAI (HUN) df. Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE), 3-1
Bronze - Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) df. Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO), 3-1

97kg (29 entries)
Gold - Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Kiril MILOV (BUL), 5-1

Bronze - Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) df. Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA), 2-1
Bronze - Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) df. Metehan BASAR (TUR), 6-1

130kg (25 entries)
Semifinal - Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), 5-3
Semifinal - Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) df. Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU), 2-1

Women's Wrestling

55kg (17 entries)
Semifinal - Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) df. Karla GODINEZ (CAN), 5-3
Semifinal - Mayu SHIDOCHI (JPN) df. Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) by TF, 12-0, 2:10

62kg (24 entries)
Semifinal - Kayla MIRACLE (USA) df. Ana GODINEZ (CAN) by Fall, 1:38 (2-3)
Semifinal - Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) df. Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), 11-5

Host Serbia puts two into GR finals on opening day of Worlds

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Nemes stuns Geraei for 67kg world title amid Serbian gold rush