#Belgrade2020

Jafarov, 19, Stamps Authority with Second Age-Group World Title

Wednesday, November 3, 2021 - 20:24 By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (November 3) – As a kid, Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) imagined becoming a world champion for Azerbaijan like many greats from the country. But growing up in a small district of Goranboy, Azerbaijan, it was difficult to find heroes to look up to. But he still followed his elder brother to the wrestling gym and slowly fell in love with the sport.

A decade after he first stepped into a wrestling gym, Jafarov has not only fulfilled the dream of winning a world title, he has won two in three months.

The 19-year-old stunned the field at 67kg weight class at the U23 World Championships, adding to his junior world title which he won in August in Ufa, Russia.

The Azerbaijan wrestler continues to improve at a rapid pace. That was visible in Belgrade, Serbia, where he defeated Asian champion Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ), U23 European silver Kadir KAMAL (TUR) and junior Asian champion Mohammad REZAEI (IRI) en route the gold.

"I am glad that I became a world champion for the second time," Jafarov said. "I'll train even better to achieve good results in the senior age group."

Russia won the Greco-Roman team title, thanks to the two gold medals on Wednesday, which propelled them to 190 points. Iran finished second with 155 points, while Georgia ended up on the podium in third place with 105 points.

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Jafarov, who turned 19-years-old on October 5, outscored Rezaei by scoring the match deciding two-point correct throw in the second period and holding onto the one-point win.

But even with his loss in the 67kg, Rezaei's 20-point second-place finish helped Iran (135 points) regain the five-point lead over Russia (130 points) after the night's first two weight classes.

Despite his win, the Azerbaijan youngster, who hails from a small village of Goranboy district, realized that moving forward, his opponents will study him more and find new ways to stop him from winning.

"Each medal brings more responsibility," he said. "My opponents know my par terre techniques, my standing position wrestling style. I will try to improve in the future so that it's not that tough for me to win."

Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) dominated to win the 60kg gold medal in Belgrade. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In other action, Iran narrowly led Russia by five points coming into the 60kg final, but Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) knotted up the team score at 115 points after he used a seven-point second period to ease his way past Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI).

Allakhiarov fell behind 1-0 after the opening four minutes but never showed signs of panic. Instead, he remained poised in the second period and capitalized on his opportunity to put points on the board.

The Russian wrestler came out front with a back-breaking four-point lift after his Iranian opponent was hit for inactivity and gained the 5-1 advantage. He kept the action flowing and picked up two more points with an overhook throw that resulted in an exposure.

Allakhiarov ultimately held on to win 7-1 and handed Russia their third Greco-Roman gold medal of the '21 U23 World Championships.

Artur SARGSIAN (RUS) won his second age-group world title. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

A fourth was added by the calm and composed Artur SARGSIAN (RUS) at 97kg. He closed out the Greco-Roman side of the competition with an overpowering 9-0 win over Pavel HLINCHUK (BLR). After earning the first-period inactivity point, the Russian turned the Belarusian twice and scored a four-point lift to win the match, 9-0.

"It was my sixth World Championships," Sargsian said. "The first gold medal was in 2015, and in my fifth try, I could win it again. I was ready to do everything to win the gold medal."

Sargsian is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic Greco-Roman wrestlers around the world, and Wednesday was further proof of it when easily lifted Hlinchuk for the throw. He was in danger after landing on his back for a split second but quickly redeemed himself to clinch the win.

"I can hide my emotions inside but we all worry a lot," he said. "I came here only for the gold and nothing else. I came to show my wrestling."

As he continues to grow as a wrestler and try to find his place on the senior Russian team, he will have to go through Tokyo Olympic champion Musa EVLOEV (RUS).

"He [Evloev] has a little injury, but soon he will be back on the mat," he said. "We will have the Russian Nationals soon, and we will wrestle and see."

The 23-year-old Oslo bronze medalist was also thankful to two-time Olympic champion Roman VLASOV (RUS) to be in the arena to support the Russian team.

"After my final match, I talked to the captain of our team Vlasov, he congratulated me," he said. "It's nice to have such attention. This support is really important."

Idris IBAEV (GER) became the 72kg world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Russia was gunning for another gold as Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS) was in the 72kg final but Idris IBAEV (GER) spoiled that party when he stopped the Russian from improving his ’21 senior world silver after picking up a one-point win in the final.

"In Belgrade, I could concentrate well and show better wrestling," Ibaev said. "I prepared tactically and we worked a lot on my technique with the coach."

Ibaev, who wanted to be a boxer growing up in Goity village in Russia, found his calling for wrestling when he began training with Miakhdi IAKHIAEV (RUS), who won a bronze medal in Belgrade.

He struck first with a sneaky left-sided arm drag and grabbed the 2-0 lead. His Russian opponent stopped a gut-wrench attempt and scored a point for the reversal, cutting Ibaev’s lead to 2-1. Prior to the period’s closing whistle, Ibaev picked up the third point in the first period (inactivity) and carried the 3-1 lead into the closing period.

After stopping Kutuzov’s par terre offense, Ibaev picked up a gold medal for Germany with a 3-2 win.

Despite falling in the finals, Kutuzov still scored 20 points for Russia, which pushed them five-point ahead of Iran heading into the final pair of gold-medal matches.

Rikadze Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO) won Georgia's second gold medal at the tournament. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Georgia landed its second gold medal of the tournament when Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO) used a blistering five-point first period to stop Switzerland's Ramon BETSCHART (SUI) from becoming his country's first-ever Greco-Roman world champion at any level. It was the second time Betschart had been stopped in the world finals. He also dropped the '18 junior world finals in Trnava, Slovakia.

Rikadze never looked in trouble during the bout and his gold medal helped Georgia outplace Turkey for the third position in the title race.

U23 World Championships The four medalist at the 97kg Greco-Roman weight class in Belgrade. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) df Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI), 7-1

BRONZE: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df Ihor KUROCHKIN (UKR), 6-5
BRONZE: Pridon ABULADZE (GEO) df Mukhammadkodir YUSUPOV (UZB), 3-3

67kg
GOLD: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df Mohammad REZAEI (IRI), 3-2

BRONZE: Kadir KAMAL (TUR) df Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ), 5-1
BRONZE: Miakhdi IAKHIAEV (RUS) df Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO), 5-1

72kg
GOLD: Idris IBAEV (GER) df Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS), 7-2

BRONZE: Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM) df Erik PERSSON (SWE), via fall
BRONZE: Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) df. Amir ABDI (IRI), 12-7

82kg
GOLD: Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO) df Ramon BETSCHART (SUI), 5-1

BRONZE: Branko KOVACEVIC (SRB) df Moric KISMONI (HUN), 9-1
BRONZE: Shamil OZHAEV (RUS) df Mohammad NAGHOUSI (IRI), 8-0

97kg
GOLD: Artur SARGSIAN (RUS) df Pavel HLINCHUK (BLR), 9-0

BRONZE: Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) df Robert ERSEK (HUN), 5-1
BRONZE: Markus RAGGINGER (AUT) df Ondrej DADAK (CZE), 5-0

#WrestleBaku

Murtazaliev defends U23 European gold; Azerbaijan wins Greco team title

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - 19:29 By United World Wrestling Press

BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 22) -- Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN) fell on his knees. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) looked around in a daze, his hands on the back of his head. Both breathing heavily, both barely able to walk any extra step than needed.

This was a fight for the gold medal between the two giants of the Greco-Roman 97kg category. Murtazaliev, a senior European Championship silver medallist and defending champion of the U23 continental tournament but missing out on a Paris Olympics spot. Khaslakhanau, a senior European bronze medallist, looking for his maiden U23 title, which would have been a perfect boost for his Olympic preparations.

After grueling six minutes, which tested the strength and stamina of both wrestlers to the limit, it was Murtazaliev who finished on top. The 23-year-old defeated Khaslakhanau 4-1 to defend his title here in Baku.

Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN) defends a throw from Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) in the 97kg Greco-Roman final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Murtazaliev made all the early moves, using an underhook in search for a proper grip over Khaslakhanau. Shortly after one minute, the Paris Olympics-bound wrestler was penalized for passivity. Murtazaliev got a point for that and then used a strong gut-wrench for two points despite some exceptional defense from his opponent.

Khaslakhanau had his moments including the par terre in the second period. He completed a throw but Murtazaliev did not land in danger, forcing Khaslakhanau to challenge but to no avail. Murtazaliev used all his might to defend his 4-1 lead and ensure he ended the evening with a gold medal hanging around his neck.

Murtazaliev and Khaslakhanau embraced each other after the end of the bout when they left the mat. But it was the home wrestlers that celebrated the most as Azerbaijan won the team title with 163 points. Georgia finished second with 138 points and Turkiye was third with 135 points.

Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 82kg gold medal in Baku. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

The major contribution to Azerbaijan’s team title came from Gurban GURBANOV (AZE), who beat Islam ALIEV (AIN) 8-2 in an action-packed bout to win his second successive title.

But the scoreline hardly captures the drama that unfolded.

Only 30 seconds into the bout, Gurbanov requested a challenge, accusing Aliev of blocking using his hands on legs. The challenge was upheld and Aliev was cautioned, with the defending champion awarded two points.

That, however, was only the beginning. A minute later, Gurbanov had the par terre advantage, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Those in the stands had more to cheer for after Gurbanov used a high gut to turn Aliev and extend his lead to 5-1.

Desperate to reduce his deficit, Aliev threw the kitchen sink at his rival. He got the par terre but failed to score and even asked for a challenge for blocking by Gurbanov only to see him lose one more point for a lost challenge. Just then, however, things started to get heated. A minute into the second round, Gurbanov alleged that Aliev pushed him out of the mat – and over the podium. The momentum carried the home favorite behind the judge’s table and as he walked back onto the mat, he held his left leg and looked in some discomfort.

After a stepout, Aliev head-butted Gurbanov with 1:33 left on the clock. He was awarded two points for dangerous play as Aliev received another caution.

The penalty points combined gave Gurbanov enough cushion to defend his lead in the closing moments and although Aliev did not give up, it was too big a gap to close down. Amidst a din, Gurbanov draped his country’s flag around his shoulders and took a lap of honor.

Mert ILBARS (TUR), behind, scored the match-winning stepout against Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) from this position. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Azerbaijan very nearly celebrated a second gold medal of the night. However, Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) came up agonizingly short against Mert ILBARS (TUR) in the 60kg final, losing 2-1.

Both wrestlers produced strong defensive performances, but the bout was anything but defensive. Guluzade, in particular, would leave the tournament with a feeling of ‘what if’. After the two wrestlers exchanged points for par terre with Ilbars leading 1-1 on criteria, Guluzade got the third par terre position late in the bout. The third call only offers position advantage and no points but Ilbars didn’t allow his opponent a proper grip and instead forced a remarkable turnaround to get into an attacking position and score a point from a push out.

For the rest of the bout, Ilbars defended as if his life depended on it and came out on top by the narrowest of margins.

Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) celebrates after winning the 72kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Meanwhile, Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) beat Vilius SAVICKAS (LTU) 8-0 to win the gold medal in the 72kg category and add a second U23 European title. That win propelled Georgia over Turkiye in the team title race.

Turkiye could have finished second had Azat SARIYAR (TUR) won the 67kg 67kg final. Instead, Daniial AGAEV (AIN) rolled to an 11-1 technical superiority win to capture the gold at 67kg.

Defending champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) reached the 55kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Malmgren on course to defend her title

Women’s wrestling star Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) stayed on course to winning her second consecutive U23 title after she reached the 55 kg category final.

Malmgren, one of the contenders for the Paris Olympics, was the odds-on favorite to defend her crown in Baku and it didn’t take long to understand why. The two-time senior European champion, who added a silver this year, was dominant in all her bouts, scoring 22 points and conceding just two.

The 22-year-old Swede will face Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), who has already improved on her performance from last year’s continental championship but will be hoping for a top-of-the-podium finish, which would also be her best-ever performance.

Vynnyk will be one of the three Ukrainian wrestlers who will have a shot at the gold medal on Thursday. In 68kg, Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) will take on Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (AIN) in the title round whereas Mariia ORLEVYCH (UKR) will face Laura KUEHN (GER) in the 76kg final.

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD: Mert ILBARS (TUR) df. Nihad GULUZADE (AZE), 2-1

BRONZE: Dinislam BAMMATOV (AIN) df. Olivier SKRZYPCZAK (POL), 6-3
BRONZE: Melkamu FETENE (ISR) df. Georgios SCARPELLO (GER), 4-3

67kg
GOLD: Daniial AGAEV (AIN) df. Azat SARIYAR (TUR), 11-1

BRONZE: Oleg KHALILOV (UKR) df. Yanis GUENDEZ NIFRI (FRA), 2-2
BRONZE: Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df. Dimitar GEORGIEV (BUL), 9-1

72kg
GOLD: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df. Vilius SAVICKAS (LTU), 8-0

BRONZE: Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE) df. Petar GORNYASHKI (BUL), 7-4
BRONZE: Vasile ZABICA (MDA) df. Giovanni ALESSIO (ITA), 5-4

82kg
GOLD: Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) df. Islam ALIEV (AIN), 8-2

BRONZE: Deni NAKAEV (GER) df. Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA), 4-1
BRONZE: Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE (FRA) df. Leon RIVALTA (ITA), via fall (11-4)

97kg
GOLD: Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN) df. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN), 4-1

BRONZE: Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) df. Aapo VIITALA (FIN), 11-0
BRONZE: Anton VIEWEG (GER) df. Luka KATIC (SRB), 3-1

Women's Wrestling Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Natallia VARAKINA (AIN) vs. Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR)

SF 1: Natallia VARAKINA (AIN) df. Ana PIRVU (ROU), 10-0
SF 2: Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR) df. Gabija DILYTE (LTU), 6-4

55kg
GOLD: Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) vs. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE)

SF 1: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) df. Mihaela SAMOIL (MDA), via fall (8-0)
SF 2: Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) df. Aliaksandra BULAVA (AIN), 11-0

59kg
GOLD: Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (AIN) vs. Alesia HETMANAVA (AIN)

SF 1: Alesia HETMANAVA (AIN) df. Ana Maria PUIU (ROU), 11-0
SF 2: Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (AIN) df. Sevim AKBAS (TUR), 5-1

68kg
GOLD: Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) vs. Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (AIN)

SF 1: Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (AIN) df. Sophia SCHAEFLE (GER), via fall (6-0)
SF 2: Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) df. Karolina POK (HUN), 2-0

76kg
GOLD: Laura KUEHN (GER) vs. Mariia ORLEVYCH (UKR)

SF 1: Mariia ORLEVYCH (UKR) df. Nazar BATIR (TUR), 3-2
SF 2: Laura KUEHN (GER) df. Olga KOZYREVA (AIN), 9-8

Jafarov, 19, Stamps Authority with Second Age-Group World Title

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Murtazaliev defends U23 European gold; Azerbaijan wins Greco team title