Iran, Georgia, Azerbaijan send talented stars for U20 Worlds

Friday, August 12, 2022 - 10:26 By Vinay Siwach

SOFIA, Bulgaria (August 11) -- Before they take over the senior level in the coming years, a host of young Greco-Roman stars will land in Sofia to announce themselves at the U20 World Championships. The classic style will be in action in the Bulgarian capital from August 19, after the freestyle and women's wrestling.

While some of them have already participated in senior competitions, a few have burst into the scene by winning the continental tiles this year. And some others will resume their growing rivalries.

Emre MUTLU (TUR) is a U23 European champion. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

The 55kg is a prime example of the quality of the wrestlers that are entered for the tournament. U23 European champion and bronze medalist at the senior level Emre MUTLU (TUR) is eyeing a world title after impressive runs at continentals.

But he is not the favorite. After winning the U23 Euros in February, he suffered a 3-1 loss against Denis MIHAI (ROU) at the U20 Euros.

Mihai reached the final but could not move past Nihad GULUZADE (AZE), a U23 world bronze medalist, who will now hope to get the U20 world title in Sofia.

But U20 Asian champion Seyedarash NEGAHDARI (IRI) looked in solid form in Bahrain and will be a threat at 55kg along with '21 U17 world champion Luka JAVAKHADZE (GEO).

Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM), red, won the U20 European title by beating Dimitri KHACHIDZE (GEO) in the final. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Azerbaijan has a returning bronze medalist at 60kg in Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) who also won the same medal at the U20 European Championships which was won by Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM).

The Armenian finished 15th at last year's U20 Worlds but has since improved and won the continental title over Mammadali and Dimitri KHACHIDZE (GEO).

But Saeid Morad ESMAEILI (IRI) will be the favorite to win the gold as he looks to make amends from last year. While he was not on the Iran team for U20 Asians, Esmaeili is a silver medalist from Ufa.

He is joined by Mert ILBARS (TUR) who was a bronze medalist and a former U17 world silver medalist. Ilbars suffered a shock 4-2 loss to Olivier SKRZYPCZAK (POL) at the U20 Europeans.

Pan-Am champion Ronaldo RAMIREZ (COL) will be making the long trip to Sofia as well. He won the gold medal over Jeremy PERALTA (ECU) after a wild 14-10 final. Peralta's semifinal against Edwin MIRANDA (PER) ended with a 21-19 scoreline.

Iman Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI) will be hoping to add a world title to his continental one. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

At 63kg, former U17 world bronze Arman VARDANYAN (ARM) and U23 European silver Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) will look to make the run to the final. The two have the experience to outclass their opponents.

Another wrestler who has impressed in the past year is U20 Asian champion Iman Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI) who also won the bronze medal at the senior Asians in May.

Pan-Am champion Haiden DRURY (USA) was dominant in Mexico and will be the USA's medal hope.

Bulgaria would have liked U20 European champion Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) to enter the home tournament but the senior European silver medalist has decided to sit out.

Two continental champions are likely to clash at 67kg as U20 European champ Nika BROLADZE (GEO) and Asian champ Seyed SOHRABI (IRI) are entered. Broladze won the gold in Rome to add to his U17 world bronze medal from 2019 while Sohrabi is yet to win a world medal. He suffered a first-round loss in Ufa.

Trying to stop them are Kanan ABDULLAZADE (AZE) who won a bronze medal at U20 Euros, Ufa ninth-placer Din KOSHKAR (KAZ), Erlan MARS UULU (KGZ) who won silver at U20 Asians at 72kg and Asia and U17 world bronze medalist Ankit GULIA (IND).

Attila TOESMAGI (HUN) is the favorite to win the 72kg weight class in Sofia. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Hungary can hope to crown a world champion as U20 European gold medalist Attila TOESMAGI (HUN) is registered at 72kg. He won the title by beating Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) 2-1 in a close final. Gurbanov will look to avenge that loss and add to his two previous world medals, both at the U17 level.

U20 Asian champion Amir ABDI (IRI) would be itching to win a World Championships medal after finishing fifth in Ufa and later at the U23 Worlds in Belgrade. He won the Asian title without conceding a single point and will hope to continue the same form in Sofia.

The field also has '21 U17 world champion Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA), European bronze medalists Omer DOGAN (TUR) and Temuri ORJONIKIDZE (GEO), and Pan-Am champion Richard FEDALEN (USA).

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) is returning bronze medalist at 77kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

U23 European champion Khasay HASANLI (AZE) had a disappointing U20 tournament as he lost 3-1 to Yuksel SARICICEK (TUR) and will be hoping to bounce back for the U20 Worlds at 77kg.

Returning bronze medalist Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) defended his U20 European title and will now hope to add a world title to his U17 one which he won in 2018. Overall, Gutu has had a mixed career since 2018, failing to enter the finals of four World Championships since then.

In Sofia, he may have to go past familiar opponents in Tornike MIKELADZE (GEO) and European bronze medalists Deni NAKAEV (GER) and Yuksel SARICICEK (TUR).

U20 Asian champion Samandar BOBONAZAROV (UZB) and silver to him Masoud KAVOUSI GHAFI (IRI) are also entered along with Pan-Am champion Guilherme DE ARRUDA (BRA) who outscored his opponents 50-1 in the five bouts in Mexico.

Alperen BERBER (TUR) was crowned the U17 world champion in July. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Former U17 world champ and U20 European champion Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) will start as the favorite to win the gold at 82kg. He defeated Rauf ALIYEV (AZE), Ruslan ABDIIEV (UKR), Hamza SERTCANLI (SWE) and Jonni SARKKINEN (FIN) to win the gold in Rome. All but Sertcanli are entered for the Sofia Worlds.

Sarkkinen will be hoping for a rematch so he can avenge his 9-4 loss in the final. If he manages to win the title in Sofia, Sarkkinen will be Finland's fifth U20 world champion and first since 2018.

But recently crowned U17 world champion Alperen BERBER (TUR) can prove to be the dark horse of the weight class as he tries to win a second world title in three weeks.

European bronze medalists Abdiiev and Ilia CERNOVOL (MDA) along with U20 Asian champion Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) will be the other names to follow.

U20 European champion Lachin VALIYEV (AZE) finished fifth in Ufa. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Wrestling at his final U20 World Championships, Lachin VALIYEV (AZE) will like to sign off on a winning note in the 87kg weight class. He won the U20 European title last month and has a U17 world title from 2019 but since failed to medal at the two U20 Worlds, finishing fifth in Ufa.

Another wrestler who won the continental title and is returning from Ufa is Maksat SAILAU (KAZ), who finished eighth last year.

Both European bronze medalists Nikolaos IOSIFIDIS (GRE) and Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) are entered along with Asian silver Azamatjon ABDUBANNOBOV (UZB).

Gabriel LUPASCO (MDA) and U20 European silver Patrik GORDAN (ROU) can upset any wrestler in the field and will be big threats to win a medal.

Richard KARELSON (EST) can become Estonia's first-ever medalist at U20 Worlds. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Estonia has never won a medal at the U20 Worlds but Richard KARELSON (EST) may change that as the U20 European champion enters the competition carrying the responsibility of ending the drought. In Rome, he became the first Estonia wrestler to win the continental title at the U20 level and the second to enter the final.

Incidentally, the first ever Estonian to reach the U20 European final was also named Richard KARELSON (EST), who achieved the feat in 1981.

But to create history, Karelson will have a strong field of European and Asian wrestlers. U20 Asian Championships finalists Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ) and Nurmanbet RAIMALY UULU (KGZ) are hoping to win a title as well.

Add U20 European silver Connor SAMMET (GER) who is hoping to avenge his final's loss to Karelson and both bronze medalists Maans KLOSTERMANN (SWE) and Oktay DEMIR (TUR).

Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) is the U20 Asian champion. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

The 130kg weight class has more than one contender eyeing world glory. U20 European champion Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) and silver medalist Adolf BAZSO (HUN) may have a rematch in Sofia with Bazso hoping to reverse the result from the continentals.

Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) won the Asian title over Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB) and both are entered. Nasimov has the experience of wrestling at last year's Worlds.

European bronze medalists Albert VARDANYAN (ARM) and Dominik KRAWCZYK (POL) would like to upset the two European finalists after missing out on in Rome.

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Russia Completes Olympic Freestyle Lineup as Kozyrev Qualifies at 125kg; US falls short

Thursday, May 6, 2021 - 20:11 By Ken Marantz

Sergei KOZYREV (RUS) assured that Russia would join Iran in sending a full freestyle team to the Tokyo Olympics, while Jordan OLIVER (USA) came up just short of adding the United States to that list.

Kozyrev hung on to an early lead to defeat Daniel LIGETI (HUN) 3-2 in the 97kg semifinals at the final world Olympic qualifying tournament on Thursday night in Sofia, Bulgaria.

"I had no pressure of qualifying Russia because I am mentally very strong," said Kozyrev, who was coming off a silver medal performance at the European Championships.

With the two finalists in each weight class earning Olympic berths for their countries, Kozyrev's victory gave Russia an entry in all six freestyle weight classes. Iran had completed the set at last month's Asian Olympic qualifier in Almaty.

Olympic host Japan doubled its number of freestyle berths when both Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) at 57kg and Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) at 86kg won their semifinal matches. Japan had previously qualified at 65kg and 74kg at the 2019 World Championships in Nursultan, then failed to add to the total at the Asian qualifier.

Japan was only country with multiple semifinal winners, as 10 others picked up one Olympic berth each.

For Slovenia, however, the wait for a first-ever Olympic wrestler goes on after American-based David HABAT (SLO) came up just short at 65kg, losing 9-7 to Georgios PILIDIS (GRE) after falling far behind early.

Pilidis Greece World Olympic Qualifier — Georgios PILIDIS (GRE) after qualifying his country for the Tokyo Olympic Games. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Habat rebounded after spotting Pilidis a seven-point lead to go into the second period trailing 7-4. But Pilidis scored 2 points off a counter to a tackle, and that would prove the difference when Habat scored a stepout and a takedown later on. The match ended with Pilidis desperately clinging onto Habat's leg.

"Everything was good because I was preparing very hard for this," Pilidis said. "I had a lot of injuries and this is only my second time wrestling at 65kg. It's a new weight category for me."

Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Albert SARITOV (ROU) earned a chance to earn another medal when he rallied to a 3-2 victory over Valerii ANDRIITSEV (UKR) in the 97kg semifinals.

Andriitsev gained an activity point and a stepout to lead 2-0 after the first period, and Saritov did not get on the scoreboard until receiving an activity point with 1:03 left in the match. But he managed to get behind the Ukrainian and pull him backwards to the mat for a 2-point takedown with :20 to go.

Whether it was the pressure or just the closeness of the competition, none of the semifinal matches were decided by a fall or technical fall; in fact, only one wrestler scored in double-figures, and eight of the 12 matches were decided by two points or less.

Magomedkhabib KADIMAGOMEDOV (BLR) was the high-scorer of the round when he emerged from the stacked 74kg division with an Olympic ticket by outclassing newly crowned European champion Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) 12-4 in a clash of former Russians.

Kadimagomedov, the 2020 European gold medalist at 79kg, padded a 4-1 lead with a 4-point counter lift in the second period, then added two takedowns off counters to cool off Salkazanov.

"Today is the biggest win of my career no doubt because it's my dream to compete at the Olympics," said Kadimagomedov, a 79kg bronze medalist at last December's Individual World Cup.

The other Tokyo ticket at 74kg was won by Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), who scored a pair of second-period takedowns to defeat European bronze medalist Mitchell FINESILVER (ISR) 4-2.

"It was a difficult bout because it was hard to control my weight as I am cutting 8 kgs," Mykhailov said. "In the end I was able to do it and reach my goal of qualifying."

Japan's Takahashi, the 2017 world champion, started the session with a 2-0 victory at 57kg over Reineri ANDREU (CUB), marking his third career win over the Cuban, none of which have been by more than two points.

Yuki Takahashi Japan World Olympic Qualifier — Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) won the Olympic quota for Japan at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Caliskan)

On the activity clock in the first period, Takahashi scored a single-leg takedown to take a lead that he neither added to nor lost. Andreu found few openings in Takahashi's defenses, but the one time he got through in the second period, the Japanese wriggled out of the predicament to clinch the win.

The victory caps a remarkable journey for Takahashi, a two-time world medalist who failed to earn an Olympic place when he finished 10th in Nursultan. After that, he lost out to Rio 2016 Olympic silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) for the chance to go to the Asian qualifier.

But when Higuchi failed to make weight in Almaty, the Japan federation called on Takahashi to make the trip to Sofia, and he responded with a solid performance. Next he will have to face Higuchi in a playoff for the Olympic spot on a date to be determined.

"At the 2019 World Championships, I wasn't able to secure an Olympic berth," Takahashi said. "And then, I lost in the final at the All-Japan Championships, so I was not the No. 1 representative. Here in Bulgaria among many people I was able to make the final, so I'm very happy. It was very difficult to win."

The other 57kg place also went to Asia when 2018 Asian Games champion Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) scored two takedowns in the second period to defeat three-time former European champion Giorgi EDISHERASHVILI (AZE) 6-2.

"I had no perfect plan for this and I had only winning in my mind," Erdenebat said. "When it was COVID, I was just training all the time. I lost at the Mongolian Open and failed to win the chance to wrestle in Almaty."

At 65kg, two-time world medalist Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) denied the United States a full team in Tokyo when he outlasted Oliver 3-2.

Gadzhiev Poland World Olympic Qualifier — Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) won the 65kg Olympic quota for Poland in Sofia. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Gadzhiev, the 2020 European champion at 70kg, scored all of his points in the first period with two stepouts and an activity point. Oliver scored a takedown with a powerful double-leg tackle with :45 left, but it would prove too little too late.

"This is a very difficult weight and I can’t like one bout as all of them were tough," said Gadzhiev, yet another of the successful transplanted Russians. "This was only the second time I am wrestling at this weight and I cut a lot of weight to prepare for the Olympics."

At 86kg, Japan's Takatani made sure not to allow a lapse that cost him at the Asian qualifier in grinding out a 7-2 victory over Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL). Takatani scored three takedowns with his single-leg attack and was never in danger.

"The Olympics will be held in my country, so I want to use this honor to flourish in Tokyo," said Takatani, the 2014 world silver medalist at 74kg who will be making his third Olympic appearance.

"At the Asian qualifying tournament, my movement was off and I couldn't do my strongpoint of tackling and string together points. In the match against the Chinese, I thought the referee misjudged the situation. But a friend told me, in wrestling there are aspects not written in the rulebook. You can't put your fate into the referee's hands. In this tournament, I was determined to win with my weapons."

In the other 86kg semifinal, Russian-born Boris MAKOEV (SVK) scored all of his points in the second period to notch a razor-thin 4-4 decision over Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE).

Abakarov, the 2019 world U23 silver medalist at 79kg, sandwiched a pair of stepouts around a takedown for a 4-0 first period lead. But Makoev came back with a 2-point exposure off a tackle attempt, then added a 2-point gut wrench to go ahead on criteria.

The match ended with Makoev escaping after Abakarov latched onto a single leg, and then avoiding a stepout in the final seconds.

"It was a long and hard way but thank God I am qualified," Makoev said. "I prepared so hard for this and to qualify for the Olympics. In the beginning, my wrestling was not good but as the day progressed, I got better and I was able to defeat my opponents."

Italy picked up its second ticket to Tokyo when 2018 world bronze medalist Cuban-born Abraham CONYEDO RUANO (ITA) eked out a 3-2 win over Russian-born Ahmed BATAEV (BUL) at 97kg.

Italy World Olympic Qualifier — Abraham de Jesus CONYEDO RUANO (ITA) qualified Italy at 97kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

"All of the bouts today were so difficult for me but I have to thank my coaches who prepared me," Conyedo Ruano said. "This is my first Olympic qualification at senior level and I can’t believe it. It’s the most beautiful moment of my sporting career."

Conyedo Ruano led 3-0 on an activity point and two stepouts before Bataev came to life and scored a takedown with :40 left, but the Italian was able to finish him off.

"My wrestling is based on tactic and aggression and that is what gave me victory here in the semifinal," Conyedo Ruano said.

In the final bout of the session, 2019 Asian bronze medalist Sumit MALIK (IND) scored two takedowns off counters in the second period to clinch a 5-0 victory over Jose DIAZ ROBERTTI (VEN) at 125kg.

"I am very happy with this win and all my four bouts were so difficult," said Malik, who finished third at the Asian qualifier. "The semifinal was my best
"I would have qualified in Almaty as well, but I had an injury because of which I could not perform to my potential."

The semifinalists will be back Friday night for the medal round matches, where they will be wrestling for pride.

Meanwhile, the women will be in action with the final two Olympic berths up for grabs in the six weight classes.

Freestyle Results

57kg (23 entries)
SEMIFINAL - Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) df. Reineri ANDREU (CUB), 2-0
SEMIFINAL - Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) df. Giorgi EDISHERASHVILI (AZE), 6-2

65kg (28 entries)
SEMIFINAL - Georgios PILIDIS (GRE) df. David HABAT (SLO), 9-7
SEMIFINAL - Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) df. Jordan OLIVER (USA), 3-2

74kg (29 entries)
SEMIFINAL - Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) df. Mitchell FINESILVER (ISR), 4-2
SEMIFINAL - Magomedkhabib KADIMAGOMEDOV (BLR) df. Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), 12-4

86kg (30 entries)
SEMIFINAL - Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) df. Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL), 7-2
SEMIFINAL - Boris MAKOEV (SVK) df. Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE), 4-4

97kg (19 entries)
SEMIFINAL - Abraham CONYEDO RUANO (ITA) df. Ahmed BATAEV (BUL), 3-2
SEMIFINAL - Albert SARITOV (ROU) df. Valerii ANDRIITSEV (UKR), 3-2

125kg (20 entries)
SEMIFINAL - Sergei KOZYREV (RUS) df. Daniel LIGETI (HUN), 3-2
SEMIFINAL - Sumit MALIK (IND) df. Jose DIAZ ROBERTTI (VEN), 5-0

Iran, Georgia, Azerbaijan send talented stars for U20 Worlds

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Russia Completes Olympic Freestyle Lineup as Kozyrev Qualifies at 125kg; US falls short