#Bishkek2018

Iran, Japan Prepped to Reign in Bishkek

Monday, February 26, 2018 - 16:06 By Ken Marantz

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At last year's Asian Senior Championships in New Delhi, Iran swept the titles in the four heaviest Greco-Roman weight classes. Three of those wrestlers will aim for back-to-back crowns in this year's tournament in Bishkek as Iran looks again to dominate the men's competitions.

Hossein NOURI (87kg), Seyedmostafa SALEHIZADEH (97kg) and Behnam MEHDIZADEH (130kg) are among the seven gold medalists from New Delhi 2017 who are listed among the entries for the 2018 edition, although with the adjustments of weight classes in line with expansion from eight to 10, not all with be "defending" their titles. 

In men's freestyle, Paris 2017 world and Rio 2016 Olympic champion Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (92kg) will lead a vastly different Iranian lineup from the team that took three golds and seven medals overall a year ago. 

Iran's lone returning freestyle medalist is Reza ATRINAGHARCHI (57kg), who finished third in New Delhi. But the Asian powerhouse will still present a formidable force, as it includes 2014 Asian champion and two-time world medalist Seyed Ahmad MOHAMMADI (70kg), and Mostafa HOSSEINKHANI (74kg), an Asian champion and world bronze medalist in 2016.

Others looking to strike gold for the second straight year are: in freestyle, the Uzbekistan pair of Bekzod ABDURAKHMANOV (74kg) and Magomed IBRAGIMOV (97kg), and India's Bajrang BAJRANG (65kg); Kazakhstan's Maxat YEREZHEPOV (77kg) in Greco-Roman; and Paris 2017 bronze medalist Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (57kg) of host Krygyzstan in women's wrestling.

In women's wrestling, Japan, which took home five golds from New Delhi, will send none of those winners, nor any of its reigning world and Olympic champions for that matter, opting instead to give their understudies more international experience. Part of the reason is the proximity of the tournament to the Women's World Cup, to be hosted by Japan in mid-March.  

"This tournament is a bit early, as the last Asian [Championships] was in May," Japan Wrestling Federation managing director Hideaki TOMIYAMA said. "There is the factor of the season. Of course [the Women's World Cup] is the main thing."

The spotlight will be on Yuki IRIE (50kg), who won her first national title with an amazing run that included a stunning semifinal victory over Paris 2017 champion Yui SUSAKI. Irie won the 2015 Asian gold, and will head to Bishkek coming off a victory at the Ivan Yaryguin Grand Prix.

While most of the Japan team is filled with runners-up from the Japan championships--including world junior champion Yuzuru KUMANO (59kg)--Irie became a rare case and opted to join the Asian squad.  "I want to enter various international tournaments and gain experience," said Irie, a member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces' Physical Training School.

Tomiyama agreed that Irie made the right decision, giving the fierce competition among Japanese women in the lightest weight class that includes Rio 2016 Olympic champion Eri TOSAKA. "She herself decided," he said. "The others at 48 [kg] have had success, and internationally, she has to keep up." 

Meanwhile, the tournament lost the chance to see the return to continental competition of Indian legend Sushil KUMAR, a two-time Olympic freestyle medalist. He had been entered at 74kg, but Indian media reported that the 34-year-old had withdrawn to avoid aggravating a knee injury ahead of the Commonwealth Games in April. 

Kumar had come out of retirement and earned a place on India's team to Bishkek, where 11 years ago he won the second of his three Asian medals. 

In total, 33 medalists from New Delhi will be looking to add to their collection in the Krygyzstan capital for the tournament, which has been extended from five days to six to accomodate the additional weight classes.

Here's a look at some weight classes of particular interest:

Greco-Roman, Feb. 27-28

Maxat YEREZHEPOV (KAZ) will be looking for a second straight Asian gold and fifth medal overall when he takes the mat in the new weight class of 77kg. Standing in his way will be Paris 2017 bronze medalist Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI), who warmed up for frigid Bishkek with a victory at the Takhti Cup. YANG Bin (CHN), a New Delhi 2017 bronze medalist, will also aim to be in the medal mix. 

For Japan's Rio 2016 Olympic silver medalist Shinobu OTA (60kg), just getting to Bishkek was a major challenge---he had to beat world and Asian champion Keniichiro FUMITA at the national championships to make the team. Still, he can expect stiff competition from Paris 2017 silver medalist KIM Seunghak (KOR) and Takhti Cup winner Kanybek ZHOLCHUBEKOV (KGZ).

At 63kg, Paris 2017 silver medalist Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) will attempt to improve on his runner-up finish from New Delhi, where he lost in the 59kg final to Fumita. Look for challenges from Rio 2016 bronze medalist Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB), world junior champion Keramat ABDEVALI (IRI) and Takhti Cup winner Kaly SULAIMANOV (KGZ).

Women’s Wrestling, March 1-2

The absence of the top Japanese leaves the fields a bit more open, while providing a good test of the depth of the Far East powerhouse. That's not to say it's a completely inexperienced team. Yu MIYAHARA, a 2014 Asian champion and winner at the Ivan Yaryguin Grand Prix in January, can certainly be considered among the favorites at 53kg, in which Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ) will look to improve on her runner-up finish from 2017.

Paris 2017 champion PUREVDORJ Orkhon (MGL) will make her senior continental debut at 62kg, having gone unbeaten in individual events in 2017 and opening this year with a victory at the Ivan Yaryguin Grand Prix. Tasked with stopping her will be 2014 Asian and former world junior champion Yurika ITO (JPN) and New Delhi 2017 bronze medalist Ayaulym KASSYMOVA (KAZ).

In the upper weights, Paris 2017 bronze medalist HAN Yue (CHN) heads the field at 72kg that includesz New Delhi 2017 silver medalist Masako FURUICHI (JPN), while at 76kg, Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) and world bronze medalist Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN) look to be the ones to beat. Minagawa will be looking to give herself a wedding present--she formerly competed at Hiroe SUZUKI.

Freestyle, March 3-4

Only two of the 30 weight classes could feature a rematch of a final from New Delhi 2017, and both are in freestyle. 

Last year, Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) thrilled the hometown crowd when he defeated LEE Seungchul (KOR) for the 65kg gold, but the two will be on neutral ground if they set up a rematch in Bishkek. Look for Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ), a New Delhi 2017 bronze medalist at 61kg, to try to crash the party.

At 74kg, Muslim EVLOEV (KGZ) will have the home mat advantage if he earns another shot at Bekzod ABDURAKHMANOV (UZB), who defeated him in the final a year ago. Also challenging for the gold will be Mostafa HOSSEINKHANI (IRI), a two-time world medalist and 2014 Asian champion. 

Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) will look to improve on his silver medal from New Delhi at 70kg, with opposition from double world medalist Seyed Ahmad MOHAMMADI (IRI), who will aim to add to his Asian gold from 2014. 

Schedule 

Monday, Feb. 26
16:30 - Draw: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg 

Tuesday, Feb. 27
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg 
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg 
13:30 -  Draw: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg 
17:30-18:00 - Opening Ceremony 
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg 

Wednesday, Feb. 28
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg 
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg 
13:30 - Draw: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg 
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg 

Thursday, March 1 
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg 
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg 
13:30 - Draw: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg 
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg 

Friday, March 2 
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg 
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg 
13:30 - Draw: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg 
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg 

Saturday, March 3 
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg 
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg 
13:30 - Draw: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg 
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg 

Sunday, March 4 
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg 
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg 
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg 
20:30 - Official Banquet

#WrestleBratislava

Baev marks international return with European gold

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 19:51 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 8) -- David BAEV (UWW) began his international career in Slovakia when he won the cadet [U17] world gold medal in 2014 in Snina, a small town in west Slovakia. Who would have thought that Baev's long awaited international return will also be in the same country.

Read More: Sidakov vs Valiev set for European gold

Baev returned to Slovakia after 11 years, ending his six-year absence from international competitions, winning the gold medal at 70kg at the European Championships, his first-ever.

"Honestly, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time, and I enjoyed every second of it," Baev said after the final "I’ve so badly wanted to see those blue and purple banners from UWW Worlds and Europeans [respectively]."

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) at the podium of the U17 World Championships in 2014. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Read More: Remembering Saitiev, the master on mat who inspired many

The 28-year-old last competed internationally at the 2019 World Championships in Astana where he won the 70kg gold medal. He tried moving to the 74kg weight class with a hope to make Olympic but with little success.

He moved back to 70kg and began winning again. On Tuesday, despite his long layoff from international scene, Baev hardly made it look like he was away for long.

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) wrestles Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) in the 70kg final at the European Championships in Bratislava. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Baev denied Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) his second straight title at 70kg, beating the Armenian 4-1 in the final at his first international competition since winning the gold medal at the 2019 World Championships.

The first point of the bout was from Andreasyan's passivity and Baev scored a takedown in the second period for a 3-0 lead. A stepout made it 4-0 before he gave up a stepout for one point.

Baev celebrated winning his gold medal by spreading his arms and looking up to the skies with a sigh of relief. He later said that he did the same celebration when he won the gold in 2014 and decided to stay with the that celebration since then.

"My first victory where I celebrated was 11 years ago, also in Slovakia," he said. "Since then, after every win — and even after losses — I do the same celebration."

He recalled his first visit to Slovakia in 2014 and called the country in which he only has good memories.

"I was 16 years old when I traveled abroad for the first time — it was Slovakia," he said. "My first international competition [U17 Worlds], at 58 kilograms. I won, so I have only good memories of Slovakia. I have friends here, and some of my close friends even compete for the Slovak national team. I’ve visited them here, stayed with them."

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) on the podium after receiving his gold medal at the European Championships. (Photo: Untied World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Baev wore a "Buvaisar SAITIEV" tee shirt after his bouts and dedicated his gold medal to the three-time Olympic champion who passed away in March aged 49.

"Saitiev is a legendary wrestler," he said. "His name has practically become symbolic. It’s like when someone talks about basketball, they mention Jordan. Or when it’s football, they bring up Ronaldo or Maradona. In wrestling, it’s Saitiev. What he showed on the mat… no one has ever shown before, and probably no one ever will."

Remembering Saitiev, Baev said he met Saitiev once when he was four years old. However, he never got a chance to meet him again.

"I actually met him once as a kid," he said. "My father’s friends took me to the Akhmat Kadyrov Memorial tournament. I was very young, but I remember sitting at the same table with him — I even have a photo.

"Honestly, I’ve always wanted to ask him if he remembers that little boy sitting at the table with him in that café… But sadly, I never got the chance."

Baev was not the only one wearing the Saitiev shirt. Three other "UWW" wrestler won gold on Tuesday and dedicated their medals to Saitiev.

Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW)Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW), blue, defends against Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) in the 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostandin Andonov)

At 57kg, Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) earned his first-ever European gold medal after he defeated Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), 7-4, a closely contested final.

Tuskaev, hoping to become Serbia's first-ever European champion in Freestyle, fell behind early with a point for his passivity and then a stepout. Mongush added a takedown to make it 4-0.

With time running out, Tuskaev made desperate attempts and got two for a takedown. A scramble was awarded two points each with Mongush still leading 6-4. In the final 10 seconds, Tuskaev was about to score a go-behind but Mongush blocked him and secured the win and his first-ever European gold.

France was looking for its first Freestyle European champion as it had two finalists on Tuesday but the drought is set to continue as both wrestlers failed to cross the hurdle to win gold.

At 65kg, Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) suffered a 3-0 defeat to Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) who had a dominant run to the gold medal. Ibragimov's win was similar to his 6-2 win over Arsamerzouev in the 2024 European U23 Championships final.

Arsamerzouev was hit with a passivity call in the first period and he failed to score, giving Ibragimov a 1-0 lead. While the French wrestler did make some inroads in the second period, Ibragimov managed to score a takedown for a 3-0 lead.

Two-time European silver medalist Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) will have to wait for his gold medal as former world champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) posted a 9-1 win in the 79kg final which also included a massive front headlock throw for four.

Usmanov now has back-to-back European gold medals while Khadjiev has third silver as had finished with silver medals at the 2018 and 2019 European Championships. 

Matcharashvili hat-trick

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) completed a hat-trick of European gold medals after he defeated Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) in the 97kg final.

Maintaining his perfect record of wins at European Championships, Matcharashvili pulled out his signature move of front headpinch and scored two points against Kurbanov to win 3-2, making a comeback after giving up a activity clock point and a stepout.

"This European Championships is important for me," Matcharashvili said. "I am a three-time champion now. I love wrestling and wrestling is my life."

Asked about his comeback against Kurbanov using a front chest wrap throw to take the lead, Matcharashvili said he knows that he will aways win that position

"This is my personal move," he said. "When I am in this position, 100 percent I will win the points."

Last year after winning the gold in Bucharest, Romania, Matcharashvili called out all 97kg wrestlers. This year, he was more humble in his message.

"The message is the same." he said. "This is my job and I am ready for every, anytime. When I am standing on the podium with our flag going up, that's what matters."

Matcharashvili's third gold puts him tied second the list of Georgians with most European titles in Freestyle with Rio 2016 Olympic champion Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO).

Eldar KURTANIDZE (GEO) still holds the record of most European titles for Georgia in Freestyle with five which he won in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2005.

Photo

RESULTS

Freestyle

57kg
GOLD: Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) df. Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), 7-4

BRONZE: Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) df. Ivaylo TISOV (BUL), 12-2
BRONZE: Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW) df. Niklas STECHELE (GER), 4-1

65kg
GOLD: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) df. Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA), 3-0

BRONZE: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Goga OTINASHVILI (GEO), via forfeit
BRONZE: Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE) df. Andrii SVYRYD (UKR), 4-0

70kg
GOLD: David BAEV (UWW) df. Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), 4-1

BRONZE: Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO) df. Oleksii BORUTA (UKR), 6-2
BRONZE: Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) df. Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), 5-2

79kg
GOLD: Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) df. Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA), 9-1

BRONZE: Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) df. Ion MARCU (MDA), 3-0
BRONZE: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) df. Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP), 4-1

97kg
GOLD: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) df. Magomed KURBANOV (UWW), 3-2

BRONZE: Richard VEGH (HUN) df. Radoslaw BARAN (POL), 10-6
BRONZE: Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) df. Radu LEFTER (MDA), 11-0

Semifinals

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