#WrestleSkopje

Komarov Shines on U23 Debut; Ukraine Trumps Russia for WW title

Friday, May 21, 2021 - 20:12 By Vinay Siwach

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If there is a perfect way to debut at a tournament, Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) demonstrated it on Friday.

Wrestling for the first time at an U23-level tournament, the former cadet and junior world champion dominated his way into the final, establishing himself as the wrestler to beat at 87kg in the future.

He led three Russians in the finals as Greco-Roman wrestling began on Friday at the U23 European Championships in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Sweden and Armenia managed to enter two wrestlers each into the final while Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan also got one each in Saturday's final at the Jane Sandanski Arena.

Russia, Turkey and Armenia had entered four wrestlers each in the semifinal but only Russia managed to advance three while the other two fell behind.

Komarov was slow to start in the semifinal against Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR) and was put in par terre after being called passive. But Saricicek failed to take advantage of the position. The Russian then got a takedown to lead 2-1 at the break.

Saricicek was penalized for his passivity and Komarov used his strength to gut-wrench him from the par terre position. His three rolls gave him six points and a 9-1 win.

In the morning session, Komarov notched up two victories by technical superiority but was checked by junior world champion Istvan TAKACS (HUN) in the quarterfinal. The Russian managed to win 4-1.

In the final, junior European champion Temur TCHKUASELIDZE (GEO) will challenge Komarov. The Georgian is yet to concede a point in the tournament and has outscored his opponents 28-0.

He was so dominant in the semifinal against Gevorg TADEVOSYAN (ARM) that it only lasted one minute and 20 seconds. After an early takedown to lead 2-0, Tchkuaselidze got two from a body lock throw. A leg foul from the Armenian added two more to extend the lead 6-0.

The following par terre position was enough for Tchkuaselidze to finish the bout but his grip slipped under the opponent's waist and the two points for the gut were reversed after a challenge from Armenia. But their happiness was short lived as Tchkuaslidze got a snap down for two points and the victory.

At 77kg, Sergei STEPANOV (RUS) also had a stunning run as he reached the final against Per OLOFSSON (SWE). In the semifinal, he took out Samvel GRIGORYAN (ARM) 8-3, in a bout controlled with ease.

After his 1/8 final win over Patryk BEDNARZ (POL) via fall, he had a rematch of his World Championships final at 72 against Nikoloz TCHIKAIDZE (GEO). Like that bout, he came out on top in Skopje as well with a pin.

Olofsson, whose tournament was all but over in the quarterfinal, scored another come-from behind-victory against Erkan ERGEN (TUR). After a step out and Olofsson's passivity, Ergen led 2-0 but the Sweden wrestler scored a takedown after Ergen's miss to level it 2-2. He then trapped the Turk in a body lock to get two more points for the throw. The call was challenged by Turkey but they lost the challenge. The 5-2 score in favor of Olofsson remained until the clock expired.

In the quarterfinal, Olofsson was down 0-6 but scored 14 unanswered points against Aliaksandr PECHURENKA (BLR) to win 14-6 and progress to the semifinal.

OLOFSSON (SWE) U23 European Championships

In another Sweden vs Turkey semifinal at 63kg, Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) defeated Abdulkadir SAYDAM (TUR) 8-0. Half of those points, however, were caution points.

Oehlen got the advantage after Saydam was called passive and the Sweden wrestler won an exposure from the par terre position. Later, the referee awarded two points to Oehlen, warning Saydam for twisting his opponent's fingers.

Another warning followed as the Turk was seen to be involved in dangerous wrestling and that made the score 7-0 for Oehlen. The Turkey corner challenged the call and lost, ending the bout 8-0.

From the other side of the bracket, Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) upset U23 and Senior European bronze medalist Leri ABULADZE (GEO) 1-1 in the semifinal. The bout only saw points for the two passivity calls with the Armernian getting the benefit of the second call.

At 55kg, Adem UZUN (TUR) will take on Zaur ALIYEV (AZE) in the final after he defeated Denis DEMIROV (BUL) 9-4 in the semifinal while Aliyev etched out a 3-3 win over Mavlud RIZMANOV (RUS).

Zaur ALIYEV U23 European Championships

Aliyev had fallen behind 1-3 but he scored a takedwon on the edge to make it 3-3 with 1:38 to go. The move was originally scored a stepout and one point but his corner challenged the call and won. Aliyev managed to keep his lead for the remaining 98 seconds and reach the final.

Uzun had to work harder for his win after leading 6-0 at one point of the match. But Demirov scored a takedown on either side of the break to make it 6-4. A stepout and a takedown later Uzun won 9-4.

In the final category of the day, two big wins in the semifinals set up a Russia-Armenia final. Mikhail LAPTEV (RUS) defeated Franz RICHTER (GER) 11-0 in just one minute and 57 seconds while David OVASAPYAN (ARM) won against Delian ALISHAHI (SUI) 9-0 in three minutes and 40 seconds.

Ukraine win WW title

They trailed Russia by four points in the team title race on Thursday. But by the end of the women's wrestling in Skopje, Ukraine claimed the team title by a difference of 16 points.

If the scores of the all the medals winners are accounted, both nations are locked at 165. But Ukraine's fifth-place finish at 72kg and eighth-place at 76kg gave them 18 points. Russia, however, managed only two points from their non-medal winning wrestler.

Alina AKOBIYA (UKR) led the day with a gold medal finish at 57kg after beating Patrycja GIL (POL) 8-0 in the final. It was finally a big load off her back as she had finished with silver medals at the previous two U23 European Championships.

She got Gil in a headlock before turning it into a takedown. Another cradle and exposure made it 6-0 for before a double leg attack extended the lead to 8-0.

With 10 medals at age-group European and World Championships, Akobiya's resume got even more stronger with this title. Last month, she had won the silver medal at the senior Euros and also qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.

Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) was another first-time gold medalist at the U23 level as converted her debut into a golden one at 62kg.

Wrestling against Tatsiana PAULAVA (BLR) in the final, Rizhko worked up two takedowns before giving one up. Leading 4-2, she performed an inside trip to put Paulava on her back and secure the fall with 53 seconds remaining.

The only Ukrainian wrestler to come up short in the final was Kateryna ZELENYKH (UKR) as she dropped her 65kg final 8-5 against rapidly rising Irina RINGACI (MDA).

The Moldovan wrestler put the disappointment of failing to qualify for the Tokyo Games behind her and ran through her opposition at this tournament.

In the final, she had some trouble as Zelenykh opened the scoring with a takedown before Ringaci countered with a lift which exposed Zelenykh for a four. The Ukrainian also countered with a takedown and almost got the pin. But Ringaci survived and led 4-4.

Riganci then scored a takedown and then a snap to make it 8-4. She conceded a point for step out but it was too little too late for Zelenykh as she dropped her bout 8-5.

Russia had two finalist but only one won the gold medal. Ekaterina VERBINA (RUS) was crowned the 53kg champion after Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) forfeited due to injury.

At the 72kg final, Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) shocked Marina SUROVTSEVA 2-2 in a bout that saw point only for passivity and stepouts.

Choluj was called passive in the first period but she scored a stepout to lead 1-1. Surovtseva scored a stepout to claim back the lead but was put on the activity clock with a minute and 18 seconds remaining. Choluj led 2-2 on criteria after the Russian failed to score.

The Polish wrestler hung on to the lead for the final 48 seconds and claimed the gold medal.

Results: GR Semifinals

55kg
GOLD: Zaur ALIYEV (AZE) vs Adem UZUN (TUR)

SF 1: Zaur ALIYEV (AZE) df Mavlud RIZMANOV (RUS), 3-3
SF 2: Adem UZUN (TUR) df Denis DEMIROV (BUL), 9-4

63kg
GOLD: Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) vs Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) df Abdulkadir SAYDAM (TUR), 8-0
SF 2: Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) df Leri ABULADZE (GEO), 1-1

77kg
GOLD: Sergei STEPANOV (RUS) vs Per OLOFSSON (SWE)

SF 1: Sergei STEPANOV (RUS) df Samvel GRIGORYAN (ARM), 8-3
SF 2: Per OLOFSSON (SWE) df Erkan ERGEN (TUR), 5-2

87kg
GOLD: Temuri TCHKUASELIDZE (GEO) vs Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS)

SF 1: Temuri TCHKUASELIDZE (GEO) df Gevorg TADEVOSYAN (ARM), 8-0
SF 2: Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) df Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR), 9-1

130kg
GOLD: Mikhail LAPTEV (RUS) vs David OVASAPYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Mikhail LAPTEV (RUS) df Franz RICHTER (GER), 11-0
SF 2: David OVASAPYAN (ARM) df Delian ALISHAHI (SUI), 9-0

WW Medal Results

53kg
GOLD: Ekaterina VERBINA (RUS) df Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), inj def

BRONZE: Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) df Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), 9-2
BRONZE: Alicja CZYZOWICZ (POL) df Szimonetta SZEKER (HUN), 2-1

57kg
GOLD: Alina AKOBIYA (UKR) df Patrycja GIL (POL), 8-0

BRONZE: Othelie HOEIE (NOR) df Hanna VAHER (BLR), 6-1
BRONZE: Viktoriia VAULINA (RUS) df Sezen BELBEROVA (BUL), inj def

62kg
GOLD: Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) df Tatsiana PAULAVA (BLR), via fall (8-0)

SF 1: Mariia LACHUGINA (RUS) df Cansu AKSOY (TUR), 13-4
SF 2: Anhelina LYSAK (POL) df Elena ESPOSITO (ITA), via fall (8-0)

65kg
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df Kateryna ZELENYKH (UKR), 8-5

BRONZE: Kamila KULWICKA (POL) df Nerea BLANCO (ESP), via fall (5-0)
BRONZE: Eyleen SEWINA (GER) df Asli DEMIR (TUR), via fall (10-3)

72kg
GOLD: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df Marina SUROVTSEVA , 2-2

BRONZE: Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR) df Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR), 6-5

#wrestlebishkek

Asian Championships: Rise of Sujeet Fuels India’s 65kg Gold Hopes

Sunday, April 5, 2026 - 14:05 By Vinay Siwach

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 4) -- When SUJEET (IND) steps on the mat at the Asian Championships in Bishkek on Friday, he will carry hopes of a country looking for an Asian champion in a Freestyle weight class other than 57kg for the past seven years.

The 23-year-old is unbeaten this year, winning gold medals at the Zagreb Open and Muhamet Malo Ranking Series, making him the favorite to win gold at 65kg in Bishkek. The last time India won a gold medal at the Asian Championships was 2019 when Bajrang PUNIA (IND) won in Xi'an, China.

"I don't think much about anything," Sujeet says. "I say the name of the God and step on the mat. I will do the same at the Asian Championships.

"I am happy that I wrestle at 65kg because India has a decent history at 65kg. I will also try to carry it forward."

The 65kg field in Bishkek includes returning 61kg Asian champion Takara SUDA (JPN) who is moving up one weight. Suda's ability to score at any time in a bout puts him as the biggest threat against Sujeet.

World bronze medalist Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) is another strong competitor for Sujeet. The Indian enjoys a 4-0 head-to-head record against the Uzbekistan wrestler but at last year's Asian Championships, Sujeet pulled out of his bronze medal bout against Jalolov due to an injury.

Another tough competitor for Sujeet can be Peyman NEMATI (IRI). The two wrestled in the final of the Zagreb Open and the Iranian managed to keep Sujeet quiet despite losing 3-0. He will be keen to avenge that loss and win gold for Iran.

Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK), a world bronze medalist at 70kg in 2024, can spring a surprise and so can former U17 world champion Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ).

Early Start

Hailing from village Imlota, Charkhi Dadri in Haryana, a state that produces majority of wrestlers in India, Sujeet was introduced to wrestling in his village.

"There was an old akhada [training school] in my village so I used to go there," he says. "No coach had formal experience as such and I used to lose at the district level. I remember I lost in 2019 at the state level."

While there was little history of wrestling in the village itself, Sujeet's father Dayanand KALKAL was a national-level wrestler and was keen for his son to pick the sport as well. Till 2020, Sujeet continued training in the village.

"I was decent in studies," he says. "I balanced it with wrestling but after school, it was all wrestling. My village was very supportive of my wrestling. And then in 2021, I made the switch."

From south-west Haryana, Sujeet moved to Sonipat, a district in Haryana 60 kilometers north of New Delhi. With more experienced training partners, Sujeet could feel the improvements in his wrestling.

"The shift in 2021 to Sonipat changed my wrestling," he says. "My wrestling matured and the other wrestlers had international experience so it helped me in all aspects."

SUJEET (IND)SUJEET (IND), third from left, won a bronze medal at the 2022 U20 World Championships in Sofia. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In just one year, Sujeet made the U20 Indian team and was on his way to Bulgaria for the World Championships. He lost to Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE) in the semifinals but won a bronze medal at 65kg, his first in international wrestling on debut.

"I was happy that I won a medal in my first-ever competition despite it being bronze," he says. "My wrestling was different than my opponents. I had never experienced that. But slowly I got used to it."

The biggest challenge for Sujeet was the vast difference in wrestling between junior and senior levels.

"When you shift from junior to senior, there is a lot of difference from power to technique," he says. "Opponents study you a lot once you are consistently competing. Everyone studies each other but I stick to my techniques."

Senior Career

Sujeet made the required adjustments and won the senior nationals in India to make the team with a hope to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. But that journey ended in a heartbreak.

At the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek, Sujeet failed to reach the competition due to floods at the Dubai airport. A month later at the World Olympic Qualifiers in Istanbul, Sujeet squandered a 2-0 lead against Zain RETHERFORD (USA) and missed out on a ticket to Paris.

"My father says do not celebrate too much when you win, don't be disheartened when you lose, balance it," he says. "So I try to keep it balanced. I don't sulk when I lose. I think about it a little and then move on, sit with my friends and try to see what I can improve."

In need of training partners who could challenge him with different styles, Sujeet spent a few months training overseas. He picked Mongolia, Russia and Japan, and picked a few details from the sparring sessions. He also realized that depending on the renowned Indian conditioning will not be enough to win medals at the world level.

"In India, the training lasts long, usually 3-4 hours," he says. "In Japan, they have smaller training sessions with focus on speed. Russia also has longer sessions with focus on scrambles and bouts.

"Our stamina comes from the longer trainings which are also very hard. The Indian sit-ups are quite different. Others also have unique ways to train but they focus on their own styles. But we ultimately work hard for longer bouts."

Sujeet ended 2024 with a bronze medal at 70kg at the U23 World Championships.

For the majority of 2025, he remained an under-the-radar wrestler. He won the Ranking Series event in Budapest but was far off from being a medal threat at the September World Championships. However, a bout against Olympic silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) at the World Championships caught the attention of the fans.

Though he lost 6-5, Sujeet was surprisingly the only wrestler who troubled Amouzad, the eventual world champion, in Zagreb.

"It was my first bout so I was all over the place and he was clearly stronger than me," he recalls. "May be next time I will be calmer. I took too much pressure on myself to win a medal and that showed in my bout against Real WOODS (USA)."

Woods beat Sujeet in repechage after an initial flurry of turns and then defended his lead to win 7-5. Sujeet returned home empty-handed.

SUJEET (IND)SUJEET (IND), second from left, as the U23 world champion in 2025. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Unbeaten Streak

But in a month's time, Sujeet would make amends and win the U23 world title with a stunning series of win over former U23 world champion Bashir MAGOMEDOV (UWW) in the quarterfinals, former U20 world champion Yuto NISHUCHI (JPN) in semifinals and Jalolov, who had won bronze in Zagreb, 10-0 in the final. He scored in the final 10 seconds in the quarterfinals and semifinals.

"At the U23 Worlds, I did not care much about the draw," he says. "I think I can manage to score at any moment. I do panic but I try to remain calm. I like going for the sweep and catch both legs to score points."

The Asian Championships will be a huge test of Sujeet's recent form and skill. A gold in Bishkek can put him in the top-tier of 65kg. Does he have the class to win in Bishkek and beyond?

"My wrestling is going good," he says. "Some win via technique, some win by speed. I personally feel my wrestling is good to win here."