Kolitsopoulos wins Greece's first-ever U17 Worlds gold

Wednesday, August 2, 2023 - 20:01 By Vinay Siwach

ISTANBUL (August 2) -- Over the years, close to 200 wrestlers from Greece had vied for a U17 World Championships gold medal, but none managed to break through. That changed when Arionas KOLITSOPOULOS (GRE) stepped up. He became the first wrestler from Greece to win a gold medal in the U17 world event in any style, finally breaking the barrier.

While six wrestlers from Greece had secured seven world titles in different age groups and styles, none had achieved it at the U17 level. Kolitsopoulos also put an end to a 24-year drought for a Greco-Roman world gold medal, a feat accomplished by Theofanis ANAGNOSTOU (GRE) at the U20 World Championships in 1999.

No one would have bet on the 17-year-old Kolitsopoulus achieving this historic feat just two months ago. At the U17 European Championships in Triana, Albania, he suffered an opening-round defeat at the hands of Salih YAZICI (TUR) and finished 18th in the tournament.

"At the European Championships, I lost," Kolitsopoulos said. "I was not ready. I got angry."

Fortunately, he channeled that anger in the right way and rallied to beat some of the world's best wrestlers, including U17 Asian champion Ahmadreza MOHAMADIAN (IRI) in the 71kg final, winning the gold medal on the third day of the U17 World Championships.

As Greco-Roman concluded in Istanbul on Wednesday, Iran managed to defend its team title with 113 points, with Azerbaijan finishing a close second with 108 points. Georgia secured the third spot with 96 points, India came in fourth with 88 points, and Armenia claimed the fifth position with 77 points.

Kolitsopoulos' journey began on Tuesday as he secured wins over Cristian RISCA (MDA) in the opening round, Seongmin JANG (KOR) in the pre-quarterfinals, Dias SEITKALIYEV (KAZ) in the quarterfinals, and U17 European champion Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (AIN) in the semifinals.

The semifinal win over Abdulkadyrov was just a small hurdle on his path to becoming a champion. On Wednesday, he faced a formidable force in Mohamadian, who even had a 5-3 lead at one point in the final.

During the first period, Mohamadian was put in par terre and Kolitsopoulos managed to get a turn for a 3-0 lead. However, Mohamadian scored a reversal and executed a throw for four points and led 5-3 at the break.

"My plan was to be the aggressor from the start but it was only in the second par terre that I managed to win," he said.

Mohamadian was handed a second passivity in the second period, a rarity in Greco-Roman to see the same wrestler being called passive consecutively. That narrowed Mohamadian's lead to 5-4. Kolitsopoulos executed another turn, taking a 6-5 lead with 37 seconds left. Mohamadian attempted to find an opening but failed, resulting in a historic win for the Greek wrestler.

"I have dreamed it like thousand times," he said. "I am feeling great and I hope kids out there in Greece start training more to become like me or better."

Kolitsopoulos, an ardent follower of Olympic and world champion Mohammareza GERARI (IRI), draws inspiration from his father and coach, Alexios, a former Greco-Roman wrestler who competed at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Both of Arionas' parents cheered him on from the stands in Istanbul.

Though the senior level is still a while away for Kolitsopoulos, he has already set his sights on surpassing his father's achievements.

"The most important thing is the results at the senior level," he said. "So step by step. Maybe next year I will be ready for seniors. I am not ready now because it's different power between senior and U17.

"I made history because my father was a talent. So I am talented but why not be better than him."

Saba PURTSELADZE (GEO) won the 92kg gold after beating Saipula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (AIN) 7-7 in the final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In another victory marked by a stunning comeback, Saba PURTSELADZE (GEO) beat Saipula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (AIN), 7-7, to claim the gold medal at 92kg.

The two had clashed in the U17 European Championships final as well and Purtseladze won that bout 4-3 after leading 4-0 at the break.

But in Istanbul, Purtseladze was put in par terre in the first period and Gadzhimagomedov scored exposure using a front headlock to lead 3-0. While for the second exposure, Purtseladze blocked him by pulling his singlet for which he was docked two points. Georgia challenged the call but lost, adding one more point to Gadzhimagomedov's score.

The bout resumed in pat terre but Gadzhimagomedov failed to score any more points and the two wrestlers went into the break with the AIN wrestler leading 6-0.

Purtseladze began the second period with an arm-throw and was awarded two points for the correct throw. Gadzhimagomedov scored a reversal in the same sequence to lead 7-2.

Gadzhimagomedov was called passive 33 seconds later and was put in forced par terre. Purtseladze failed to get any of his moves in par terre and left Gadzhimagomedov 53 seconds to defend the 7-3 score.

But with 36 seconds left on the clock, Purtseladze produced an underhook to throw Gadzhimagomedov back-first on the mat and score four vital points which gave him a 7-7 criteria lead.

Gadzhimagomedov had little energy left in him to score any points to regain his lead and suffered a heartbreaking loss to Purtseladze for the second time in two months.

Ilia KANDALIN (AIN) added a U17 Worlds title to his U17 European gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Individual Neutral Athletes did capture one gold and U17 European champion Ilia KANDALIN (AIN) did it in some style.

Wrestling Artur BROYAN (ARM) in the final at 51kg, Kandalin was effortless in the two minutes and 38 seconds he spend on the mat. He put the first points on the scoreboard by getting a stepout using a strong underhook. Broyan was called passive soon and Kandalin used two gut-wrenches to extend his lead to 6-0. Just before the 30-second period, Kandalin scored another stepout to lead 7-0.

It took him 38 seconds more to finish the bout 9-0 and add a world title to the European gold he won in Triana. With his win, Kandalin remains unbeaten internationally in three tournaments. He also has U15 European gold medal to his name.

In the quarterfinals, he defeated Koba KARUMIDZE (GEO) 5-1, a better margin than the 4-3 win he scored over Karumidze in the opening round in Triana.

Roman KARIMOV (AZE) attempts a gut-wrench against Saba SURMANIDZE (GEO) in the 60kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 60kg, Roman KARIMOV (AZE) hung on to a one-point lead and beat Saba SURMANIDZE (GEO) 4-3 to win the gold medal.

Surmanidze was called passive in the first period but he defended all attempts from Karimov to score any points. He tried an arm-drag but an alert Karimov fleed. Surmanidze tried to use that momentum for a body throw but Karimov landed on top of Surmanidze, earning himself two points before the break.

Karimov was put in par terre in the second period and Surmanidze tried a reverse left before switching to a chest-wrap. He managed to expose Karimov who got out of the hold and scored a reversal. However, the score read 4-1 as Surmanidze's points were not awarded initially. Georgia challenged and won with the score 4-3 in Karimov's favor and 54 seconds left on the clock.

Despite U17 Euro bronze medalist Surmanidze's best efforts to score a point, Karimov held his lead and won the gold medal.

Rustem ABATSIEV (AIN), blue, was declared a joint-champion at 45kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Two golds at 45kg
In a rare instance, two wrestlers -- Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE) and Rustem ABATSIEV (AIN) -- were declared winners at 45kg after their gold medal bout at the U17 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkiye.

The first final of the night saw Dashdamirov and Abatsiev wrestling with the former getting the first advantage when Abatsiev was called passive. He lifted the AIN wrestler and executed the throw which got him a point as Abatasiev landed out of bounds. Abatsiev was cautioned for using his leg to stop Dashdamirov's attack.

With a 4-0 lead, Dashdamirov was put in par terre in the second period. Abatsiev scored a turn to cut the lead to 4-3 with a minute left on the clock.

At 3:42, the referee warned Dashdamirov for locking fingers and a caution-and-one was given against Dashdamirov with 6.2 seconds left which should have given Abatsiev the criteria advantage. But the scoreboard wrongfully showed Dashdamirov as the bout leader, and after the 6.2 seconds expired, the Azerbaijan wrestler's hand was raised, declaring him the winner of the final.

According to United World Wrestling’s rules, once a winner of a bout is declared, the result cannot be changed. The technical committee of the U17 World Championships held a review and arrived at the decision to award both wrestlers the 45kg title.

Defending champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) defeated NEHA (IND) 8-4 at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Ulug Bugra Han)

Japan gets 4 in WW finals

Japan would be a happy team after day one of women's wrestling as it managed to get four out of five wrestlers in the final. Mona EZAKA (JPN), Rinka OGAWA (JPN), Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) and Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN) will wrestle for gold on Thursday.

Ezaka, Uchida and Yoshida are returning finalists with only Uchida as the defending champion. She continued from where she left last year and began with two 10-0 wins over Nikola PIECHOCKA (POL) and Kai Yi LI (TPE).

Next up was U17 Asian champion NEHA (IND) and after a few uncomfortable moments in the bout, Uchida was quick to win 8-4. A 10-0 semifinal win against Yeo Jin MIN (KOR) confirmed her place in the final in which she will face Eylem ENGIN (TUR).

Ezaka, the silver medalist from Rome, posted three wins via fall including one over PARVEEN (IND) to reach the final at 43kg. She will now face Morgan TURNER (USA) who defeated Nilufar NURMUKHAMMADOVA (UZB), 4-2, in the other semifinal.

Yoshida, who lost to Harshita MOR (IND) in the final last year, will try to win the gold medal against Duygu GEN (TUR) at 65kg. Both wrestlers defeated AIN wrestlers in the semifinals with Yoshida beating Margarita SALNAZARIAN (AIN) 5-0 while Gen won 10-1 against Maryia MAKARCHANKA (AIN).

Ogawa will be looking for the first U17 world gold as she takes on U17 European champion Sviatlana KATENKA (AIN) in the 49kg final. The two wrestlers were clearly more dominant than the rest of the field at 49kg. Ogawa won the semifinal via fall against Tana TIULIUSH (AIN) while Katena defeated Heather CRULL (USA) 10-1.

In the other final with no Japan wrestler, returning bronze medalist Lotta ENGLICH (GER) will wrestle Piper FOWLER (USA) for the gold at 73kg. Englich defeated Asaloy AMANGELDIEVA (UZB), 2-1, in the semifinal while Fowler was a little more aggressive to win 10-2 against Aliaksandra KAZLOVA (AIN) 10-2.

RESULTS

Greco-Roman

45kg
GOLD: Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE) df. RUSTEM ABATSIEV (AIN), 4-4

BRONZE: Yurik MKHITARYAN (ARM) df. Nika TSETSKHLADZE (GEO), 9-0
BRONZE: Alireza AMIRIGHASRODDASHTI (IRI) df. Kadyrbek ALMANBETOV (KGZ), 5-1

51kg
GOLD: Ilia KANDALIN (AIN) df. Artur BROYAN (ARM), 9-0

BRONZE: Koba KARUMIDZE (GEO) df. Dostonbek ORIPOV (UZB), 3-1
BRONZE: Manu YADAV (IND) df. Husniddin ULUGBEKOV (TKM), 9-0

60kg
GOLD: Roman KARIMOV (AZE) df. Saba SURMANIDZE (GEO), 4-3

BRONZE: Kiryl VALEUSKI (AIN) df. Yerdaulet LASSIM (KAZ), 12-8
BRONZE: Mingiian GORIAEV (AIN) df. VARUN (IND), 15-6

71kg
GOLD: Arionas KOLITSOPOULOS (GRE) df. Ahmadreza MOHAMADIAN (IRI), 6-5

BRONZE: Alkan AKAR (TUR) df. Luka LOMADZE (GEO), 5-1
BRONZE: Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (AIN) df. Dias SEITKALIYEV (KAZ), 10-0

92kg
GOLD: Saba PURTSELADZE (GEO) df. Saipula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (AIN), 7-7

BRONZE: Mikayil ISMAYILOV (AZE) df. Aliakbar ASGHAR (IRI), 3-1
BRONZE: Gabriel STAN (ROU) df. Maxim UKRAINTSEV (KAZ), 9-0

Women's Wrestling Semifinals

43kg
GOLD: Mona EZAKA (JPN) vs. Morgan TURNER (USA)

SF 1: Mona EZAKA (JPN) df. Maria GKIKA (GRE), via fall (8-0)
SF 2: Morgan TURNER (USA) df. Nilufar NURMUKHAMMADOVA (UZB), 4-2

49kg
GOLD: Sviatlana KATENKA (AIN) vs. Rinka OGAWA (JPN)

SF 1: Sviatlana KATENKA (AIN) df. Heather CRULL (USA), 10-1
SF 2: Rinka OGAWA (JPN) df. Tana TIULIUSH (AIN), via fall (6-0)

57kg
GOLD: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) vs. Eylem ENGIN (TUR)

SF 1: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) df. YeoJin MIN (KOR), 10-0
SF 2: Eylem ENGIN (TUR) df. Aziza KELDIBEKOVA (KGZ), 4-2

65kg
GOLD: Duygu GEN (TUR) vs. Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN)

SF 1: Duygu GEN (TUR) df. Maryia MAKARCHANKA (AIN), 10-1
SF 2: Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Margarita SALNAZARIAN (AIN), 5-0

73kg
GOLD: Lotta ENGLICH (GER) vs. Piper FOWLER (USA)

SF 1: Lotta ENGLICH (GER) df. Asaloy AMANGELDIEVA (UZB), 2-1
SF 2: Piper FOWLER (USA) df. Aliaksandra KAZLOVA (AIN), 10-2

#WrestleIstanbul

U17 Worlds: USA crowns two champions in Istanbul

Saturday, August 5, 2023 - 18:33 By Gaurav Bhatt

ISTANBUL (August 5) -- Saturday's action at the U17 World Championships was highlighted by two young Americans who chose glory over comfort.

Paul KENNY (USA) beat Yamato FURUSAWA (JPN), and Marcus BLAZE (USA) defeated Ankush (IND) to win the 48kg and 55kg titles, respectively.

Kenny, 15, could have opted to compete in the U15 Division and settle for a title in the Pan American Games. Blaze could have chosen to defend the national title instead.

Both went the World Championships route and struck gold in Istanbul.

“Name a state and chances are I have wrestled there,” Kenny told Jersey Shore Online, “but I have never been overseas before.”

At the U17 World Team Trials, Kenny punched the ticket to Turkiye in style, defeating the top seed and reigning world champion Domenic MUNARETTI (USA).

Paul KENNY (USA) celebrates after winning the 48kg final in Istanbul (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Kenny — who "didn’t like (wrestling) right away, didn’t like to be sweaty" — was made to work for his title in Istanbul.

Kenny trailed 4-0 against Sam Reza SAYAR (IRI) in Friday's semifinal but kept fighting back. The wild bout against the reigning Asian champion saw two challenges favorable for Kenny, who managed to eke out criteria win at 8-8.

If that match was "really crazy", Saturday's final, in Kenny's words, "was kind of boring."

Both wrestlers were put on the shot clock, with Kenny giving up the point first before 2022 Asian U15 champion Furusawa was penalized for passivity. The American took the win on criteria.

"It feels great to be part of the winning team," Kenny said. "I hope the USA comes out on top of the team score. I look up to some of the guys on the team."

In the bronze medal bout at 48kg, Joseph BACHMANN (PUR), who lost 4-2 to Furusuwa in the semifinals, defeated Marian RUSU (ROU) 15-5 thus marking the first time in 48 years when Puerto Rico won a Freestyle medal at the U17 World Championships.

Blaze considered competing at the U.S. Marine Corps Junior and National Championships, before heading to Las Vegas for the U17 trials.

“Both of these tournaments are spectacular; both would be awesome to make and win,” Blaze had told Toledo Blade. “The process of going overseas and wrestling the other foreign wrestlers is an opportunity like no other. It’s a hard thing to pass up. I definitely have to wrestle at the world championships.”

On Friday, Blaze won the semifinal against 2023 European U17 silver medalist Samvel GEVORGYAN (ARM) with an 11-0 technical superiority.

Against Ankush in the final, Blaze — described by his coach Scott BURNETT as a "super sneaky counterattack wrestler who holds really good position" — lived up to the billing. After countering the initial pressure from the Indian, Blaze went for the single leg to open the scoring, before adding another step out.

The nifty U17 Asian champion scored a takedown before Blaze ran out the 31 seconds remaining to earn a 4-3 win.

"He really only had one thing, it was that duck under," Blaze said. "He had very good forward pressure. I really had to be careful about changing directions and getting pushed on my butt. But I think the difference was I was just a better wrestler."

Just like Kenny, the ongoing worlds was the first taste of international wrestling for Blaze, who hadn't been abroad even for a vacation.

“It’s actually going to be a very big learning curve,” Blaze had said. “It’s going to be awesome to feel how the foreign guys wrestle.”

Blaze felt, and learned. After a tough 2-1 win over Amirreza TEYMORIZAD (IRI), Blaze cruised into the finals with three tech fall wins, adapting his game along the way.

"I've always been known as a defensive wrestler," he said. "But I had to get to my offense against the Iranian. Indian wrestling is also similar, so they both just try to slow you down with more pressure and control ties."

And of course, watching his compatriot clinch gold before he walked onto the mat boosted Blaze's confidence.

"Paul stayed solid throughout that entire match. It just kind of motivated me that yeah, we can do this."

Sina Mahdi KHALILI (IRI) Sina KHALILI (IRI) won the 65kg final against Magomed ALIBAKHARCHIEV (AIN) 10-0. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Khalili wins 65kg title

Sina KHALILI (IRI) defeated Magomed ALIBAKHARCHIEV (AIN) to win the 65kg gold. The reigning Asian champion was at his defensive best, using his speed and strength to repeatedly score takedowns en route to a 10-0 win.

Alibakharchiev, who looked solid in his 12-2 win over Brock MANTANONA (USA), had to answers to Khalili's strength and speed in the final.

Khalili's win gave Iran a gold medal which continues the country's streak of having at least one champion in Freestyle after it missed out to crown any at the 2016 edition in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Magomed IDRISOV (AIN) won the 80kg gold after beating Alexandru BORS (MDA). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Individual Neutral Athletes also won a gold medal as Magomed IDRISOV (AIN) defeated the 2023 U17 European champion Alexandru BORS (MDA) in the 80kg category.

Idrisov wasn't the same self as he had been on Friday, winning his four bout by outscoring his opponents 28-1. In the final, Idrisov had to deal with strong of Bors but he switched his strategy and scored two points via Bors inactivity.

In the semifinal, Idrivsov defeated Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO) who is the younger brother of three-time world champion Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO). Konstantine, on Saturday, returned to win the bronze medal against Dovletgeldi MYRADOV (TKM) 6-4.

U17 European champion Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) added the U17 world gold to his name in Istanbul. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The 110kg final saw the U20 European silver medallist Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) beat Asian champion Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) to clinch gold.

Over the two days, Dursunov has been a force, running away with the gold medal with little resistance from his opponents. He won his first bout against Eldorbek KHASANOV (UZB) 11-0, won 5-1 against Aleksandre ABRAMISHVILI (GEO) in the second bout and in the semifinals, he defeated Henrik HAYKYAN (ARM) 6-2, a better margin than the 4-4 win in the U17 European Championships final.

Kassimbek was no pushover for Dursunov as he got the first point on the board after Dursunov was called for inactivity. But it all changed in the second period as Dursunov defended a double-leg and scored a stepout.

Put on the activity clock, Kassimbek went for the far leg and Dursunov was quick to counter that with a takedown. Another point was added as the activity time finished for Kassimbek who, however, did not let Dursunov score any turns. Instead, a reversal got him one point.

Dursunov ran out the 20 seconds left on the clock to add a world gold to his continental title. He will have a chance to add another in just over a week's time as he makes the trip to Amman, Jordan for the U20 World Championships beginning August 14.

U17 Asian champion Ahora KHATERI (IRI) is a win away from becoming U17 world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Team battle heats up

Khalili's gold topped off an outstanding Saturday for Iran as their battle for the team title against the U.S. heats up. Three Iranians advanced to the finals in the first session on Saturday, including two head-to-head wins against the U.S.

In the 45 kg category semifinal, Ahora KHATERI (IRI) defeated Ignacio VILLASENOR (USA) 5-2. The U17 Asian champion will face Gor BUNIATYAN (ARM) in the final as the Armenian managed to go past Ebubekir GUR (TUR), 4-3.

At 92kg, Tahood NOORY (IRI) beat Aeoden SINCLAIR (USA) in the round of 16 at 92kg but lost in the quarterfinals, dashing Sinclair's repechage hopes. The final in this weight class will be a repeat of the U17 European final between Eyyup CETIN (TUR) and Sandro KURASHVILI (GEO) which the Georgian won.

Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) outscored his opponents 38-0 on his way to the 71kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Only Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) advanced to the finals for the U.S. on Saturday. And he did so with pure dominance as the 71kg competitor hasn't given up a point in the tournament so far. Incidentally, he will take on U17 Asian Seyedabolfazl HOSSEINI (IRI) in the gold medal bout.

Iran also has a finalist at 60kg as Sajad PIRDAYEH (IRI) won 3-2 against U17 European champion Jamal ABBASOV (AZE). He will take on Akito MAEHARA (JPN) in the final after the Japanese defeated Zandanbat BATSAIKHAN (MGL) 11-0 in the other semifinal.

Japan's second finalist on Saturday was Yamato OGAWA (JPN) who ended U17 Asian champion Amirmohammad NAVAZI's (IRI) dream of becoming a world champion with a 4-1 win. He will now take on ROHIT (IND) who won 5-2 over Usman INDIRBAEV (AIN) in the other semifinal. A gold for Rohit would mean India winning a U17 world title for the third consecutive year.

RESULTS

48kg
GOLD: Paul KENNY (USA) df. Yamato FURUSAWA (JPN), 1-1

BRONZE: Sam Reza SAYAR (IRI) df. Azymberdi ASHYRGULYYEV (TKM), 10-0
BRONZE: Joseph BACHMANN (PUR) df. Marian RUSU (ROU), 15-5

55kg
GOLD: Marcus BLAZE (USA) df. ANKUSH (IND), 4-3

BRONZE: Samvel GEVORGYAN (ARM) df. Amirreza TEYMORIZAD (IRI), 4-4
BRONZE: Akhmad MUSAKHADZHIEV (AIN) df. Arshak LULUKYAN (GEO), 12-2

65kg
GOLD: Sina KHALILI (IRI) df. Magomed ALIBAKHARCHIEV (AIN), 10-0

BRONZE: Manuel WAGIN (GER) df. Vladimir AZARYAN (ARM), 13-13
BRONZE: Brock MANTANONA (USA) df. Khizir DASIYEV (FRA), 6-5

80kg
GOLD: Magomed IDRISOV (AIN) df. Alexandru BORS (MDA), 2-0

BRONZE: Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO) df. Dovletgeldi MYRADOV (TKM), 6-4
BRONZE: Zackary RYDER (USA) df. Ismayil ASADLI (AZE), via fall (12-2)

110kg
GOLD: Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) df. Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ), 4-2

BRONZE: Henrik HAYKYAN (ARM) df. Aleksandre ABRAMISHVILI (GEO), 11-0
BRONZE: Rakhman MALAKHMEDOV (AIN) df. Balazs CSIPKES (ROU), 10-0

Semifinals

45kg
GOLD: Gor BUNIATYAN (ARM) vs. Ahora KHATERI (IRI)

SF 1: Gor BUNIATYAN (ARM) df. Ebubekir GUR (TUR), 4-3
SF 2: Ahora KHATERI (IRI) df. Ignacio VILLASENOR (USA), 5-2

51kg
GOLD: Yamato OGAWA (JPN) vs. ROHIT (IND)

SF 1: Yamato OGAWA (JPN) df. Amirmohammad NAVAZI (IRI), 4-1
SF 2: ROHIT (IND) df. Usman INDIRBAEV (AIN), 5-2

60kg
GOLD: Sajad PIRDAYEH (IRI) vs. Akito MAEHARA (JPN)

SF 1: Sajad PIRDAYEH (IRI) df. Jamal ABBASOV (AZE), 3-2
SF 2: Akito MAEHARA (JPN) df. Zandanbat BATSAIKHAN (MGL), 11-0

71kg
GOLD: Ladarion LOCKETT (USA) vs. Seyedabolfazl HOSSEINI (IRI)

SF 1: Ladarion LOCKETT (USA) df. NARENDER (IND), 10-0
SF 2: Seyedabolfazl HOSSEINI (IRI) df. Islam KAZHAROV (AIN), 11-1

92kg
GOLD: Eyyup CETIN (TUR) vs. Sandro KURASHVILI (GEO)

SF 1: Eyyup CETIN (TUR) df. VINAY (IND), 10-0
SF 2: Sandro KURASHVILI (GEO) df. Genki HOKI (JPN), 10-0

Kolitsopoulos wins Greece's first-ever U17 Worlds gold

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U17 Worlds: USA crowns two champions in Istanbul