#WrestleSkopje

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

By Vinay Siwach

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

#WrestleSkopje

Valiev Leads Russian Trio Into Finals; Arushanian, Gadzhiev Crowned Euro Champs

By Vinay Siwach

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (May 18) --- Chermen VALIEV (RUS) was the highlight of another successful day for Russia as three wrestlers made it to the finals on day two of the U23 European Championships in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Amanula RASULOV (RUS) and Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RUS) were the two other Russian wrestlers to reach the final at 86kg and 125kg respectively. Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia also advanced two wrestlers each to the finals while Georgia managed to enter one wrestler as well.

Russia had entered four wrestlers in the final on day one of the competition at the Jane Sandanski Arena and with three more on Tuesday, their tally reached seven.

Valiev's day began with the qualification round as he faced Lucas KAHNT (GER). But Valiev did not take much time for his 11-1 win. In the 1/8 finals, Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE) did pose some trouble but Valiev came out on top 9-2. Krisztian BIRO (ROU) was the next to suffer as Valiev won the quarterfinal 10-0.

In the semifinal, Valiev had a slow start and led 2-0 at the break against Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO). He began the second period with a push out when he was put on the activity clock. Gamkrelidze later had Valiev in the danger zone but the Russian managed to switch position and instead score a four-point throw via a double leg attack. He won 7-1.

Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM) will try and stop Valiev from winning the gold on Wednesday as he made the final from the other side.

His three wins to reach the final were either technical superiority or via fall. Simon MARCHL (AUT) was the first to witness Alikhanyan's exploits as the Armenian won 10-0. In the quarterfinal, he pinned Isa DEMIR (TUR) before Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) suffered the same fate in the semifinal.

Rasulov will be looking for his first U23 Euro title as well as he reached the 86kg final. After wins over Patrik SZUROVSZKI (HUN) and Emre CIFTCI (TUR) with an identical scoreline of 8-2, Rasulov secured a victory by fall in the semifinal against Andrian GROSUL (MDA) in just one minute and 40 seconds.

But it won't be a cakewalk to the gold medal as he faces multiple time junior World Championships medalist Orkhan ABASOV (AZE) in the final.

Abasov came up with a big five-point throw in the semifinal against Lars SCHAEFLE (GER) to lead 7-0. But his worsening gas tank in the second period saw him give up points for step outs and a takedown. Fortunately for him, his big lead helped him win 8-7 in the end.

Osman NURMAGOMEDOV U23 European Championships

At 92kg, senior European Championships bronze medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) reached the final after overcoming Azamat ZAKUEV (RUS) 5-4 in a closely contested quarterfinal.

Then in the semifinal against Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR), he scored four points in the first period and defended that lead until the clock expired to win 4-0. He will face Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) in the final.

Yaylaci showed so signs of mercy for his opponents as he won by technical superiority in the qualification round and via fall in the quarterfinals. Up against former cadet and junior world champion Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) in the semifinal, he went into a tactical mode and etched out a 6-2 win.

Anil KILICSALLAYAN (TUR) was the second Turkish wrestler to reach the final on Tuesday as he pulled off a close 4-3 win against Vakhit GALAYEV (AZE) in the 125kg semifinal.

He will try his fate against Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RUS), who completely dominanted the day, in the final on Wednesday. Tebloev cleared the qualification round with a 10-0 win over Uvejs FEJZULAHU (MKD) before humbling junior and U23 World silver medalist Yurii IDZINSKYI (UKR) with a similar scoreline.

In the semifinal, Yaraslau SLAVIKOUSKI (BLR) had no answers to Tebloev's attacks and suffered a victory by fall after the Russian had built a 14-2 lead.

At 61kg, Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) managed to reach his first U23 Euro final in four attempts and finishing with bronze medal three years ago. He will take on Razmik PAPIKYAN (ARM) in the final.

Arushanian, Gadzhiev Euro champs

In a bout that has the potential to become the bout of the year, junior world champion at 70kg Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) captured his first U23 European title as he defeated Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (RUS) 13-10 in the 65kg final.

Kudiev had Arushanian to his back early in the bout but could not control him there for long. That scramble gave both the wrestler two points each and a 3-2 lead to the Ukrainian.

Two takedowns later, he led 7-2 with Kudiev struggling to break into his defence. He did give up a takedown but scored a four-point throw from a head lock to lead 11-4.

Kudiev then reciprocated with a front head lock four points as well to make it 11-8. But a double leg takedown for Arushanian all but sealed the gold medal.

Dzhabrail GADZHIEV U23 European Championships

Another former age-group world champion Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) held on to a nervous 5-5 win over Nicolai GRAHMEZ (MDA) to clinch the 70kg gold medal.

With just over over a minute remaining in the bout, Gadzhiev stepped with a two exposure to level it 4-4 and lead on criteria as Grahmez had scored two points via pushouts. Gadzhiev and Grahmez exchanged a stepout each in the last few seconds but that still gave the win to the Azerbaijan wrestler.

Akhmed IDRISOV (RUS) began the medal round with a gold medal winning performance for Russia as he defeated Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) 6-0 at 57kg.

In his typical calm manner of wrestling, Idrisov managed to evade everything Rzazade threw at him and scored three takedowns in the final.

The second Russian to win the gold was Aslanbek SOTIEV (RUS) who defeated Radu LEFTER (MDA) 10-0 via technical superiority.

Ramazan SARI (TUR) denied Russia their third gold medal of the night he scored a 14-4 win over Khalid IAKHIEV (RUS). Sari, a bronze medalist at U23 World Championships, took advantage of Iakhiev continuous attacks and scored three four-point throws in the final.

Ramazan Ishak SARI U23 European Championships

Women's wrestling will begin in five weight classes -- 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg -- on Wednesday in Skopje.

Results:

Freestyle Semifinals

61kg
GOLD: Razmik PAPIKYAN (ARM) vs Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO)

SF 1: Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) df Nico MEGERLE (GER), 4-0
SF 2: Razmik PAPIKYAN (ARM) df Emrah ORMANOGLU (TUR), 3-2

74kg
GOLD: Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM) vs Chermen VALIEV (RUS)

SF 1: Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM) df Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), 12-2
SF 2: Chermen VALIEV (RUS) df Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), 7-1

86kg
GOLD: Amanula RASULOV (RUS) vs Orkhan ABASOV (AZE)

SF 1: Amanula RASULOV (RUS) df Andrian GROSUL (MDA), via fall
SF 2: Orkhan ABASOV (AZE) df Lars SCHAEFLE (GER), 8-7

92kg
GOLD: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) vs Erhan YAYLACI (TUR)

SF 1: Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) df Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 6-2
SF 2: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR), 4-0

125kg
GOLD: Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RUS) vs Anil KILICSALLAYAN (TUR)

SF 1: Anil KILICSALLAYAN (TUR) df Vakhit GALAYEV (AZE), 4-3
SF 2: Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RUS) df Yaraslau SLAVIKOUSKI (BLR), via fall (14-2)

FS Medal Bouts

57kg
GOLD: Akhmed IDRISOV (RUS) df Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE), 6-0

BRONZE: Ramaz TURMANIDZE (GEO) df Kamil KERYMOV (UKR), 5-3
BRONZE: Simone PIRODDU (ITA) df Hafiz HASDEMIR (TUR), 4-1

65kg
GOLD: Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) df Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (RUS), 13-10

BRONZE: Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE) df Uladzislau KOIKA (BLR), 10-0
BRONZE: Cavit ACAR (TUR) df Marwane Ahmed YEZZA (FRA), inj def

70kg
GOLD: Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) df Nicolai GRAHMEZ (MDA), 5-5

BRONZE: Inalbek SHERIEV (RUS) df Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO), 8-2
BRONZE: Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) df Denys BOROHAN (UKR), 3-2

79kg
GOLD: Ramazan Ishak SARI (TUR) df Khalid IAKHIEV (RUS), 14-4

BRONZE: Arman AVAGYAN (ARM) df Goga MAMIAURI (GEO), 7-4
BRONZE: Valentyn BABII (UKR) df Salvatore DIANA (ITA), 11-1

97kg
GOLD: Aslanbek SOTIEV (RUS) df Radu LEFTER (MDA), 10-0

BRONZE: Aliaksei PARKHOMENKA (BLR) df Tsvetan EVTIMOV (BUL), 11-3
BRONZE: Islam ILYASOV (AZE) df Luka KHUTCHUA (GEO), 11-0