#WrestleRome

Kuchmii Crushes Kayaalp's Quest for a Tenth European Title

By Eric Olanowski

ROME, Italy (February 10) --- Mykola KUCHMII (UKR) shocked Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in the quarterfinals and halted the Turkish big man’s quest to win a tenth European title.

Kuchmii scored five unanswered points against Kayaalp, the four-time world champion, and handed the Turkish wrestler his first loss at the European Championships since 2009. He’ll wrestle Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU) in tonight’s 130kg semifinals.

Alexuc Ciurariu, a two-time European bronze medalist, defeated Zurabi GEDEKHAURI (RUS) and Rio Olympic bronze medalist Sabah SHARIATI (AZE) on his road to the semifinals.

The other 130kg semifinal will feature Arvi Martin SAVOLAINEN (FIN) and Levan ARABULI (GEO).

At 55kg, Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) will battle Vitalii KABALOEV (RUS) in a matchup of the reigning world champion and reigning European champion. Tsurtsumia, the top-ranked wrestler in the world at 55kg, won the pair’s latest meeting, which came at the 2019 World Championships. The Georgian won that quarterfinals match in Nur-Sutlan, 8-3.

On the opposite side of the bracket, 2018 world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) will square off against Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL). Nazaryan, a 2019 cadet world bronze medalist, is making his debut at the senior level. He has one appearance at the U15 level and seven showings at the cadet level but hasn’t appeared at any junior or U23 events.

Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) will wrestle Islam ABBASOV (AZE) for a spot in the 87kg finals. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Second-ranked Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) will go toe-to-toe with reigning European silver medalist Islam ABBASOV (AZE) in one of the 87kg semifinals.

Age-group stars Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) and Semen NOVIKOV (UKR) will wrestle in the second 87kg semifinal. Komarov is a four-time age-group world champion, and Novikov, who is replacing top-ranked Zhan BELENIUK (UKR), is the reigning two-time U23 world champion.

Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR) will wrestle the U23 world bronze medalist Maksim NEHODA (BLR) in the first semifinal at 63kg. Berge, a Rio Olympic bronze medalist, is trying to make it to his third consecutive European finals and fourth overall.

Mihai MIHUT (ROU) and Ibragim LABAZANOV (RUS) will tango in the second 63kg semifinal. Mihut is in the hunt to get back to his second European final and first since he won the 2018 title.

If Mihut and Berge win on Monday night, it'll set up a rematch of the 2018 European finals, which the Romanian won, 3-2. 

Zotlan LEVAI (HUN) will wrestle Volodymyr YAKOVLIEV (UKR) in the 77kg semifinals. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

At 77kg, Zotlan LEVAI (HUN) defeated 2019 world silver medalist Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) and two-time age-group world champion Islam OPIEV (RUS) on his way to the semifinals. He'll meet Volodymyr YAKOVLIEV (UKR) for a spot in the Tuesday night finals. 

Fifth-ranked Chalyan downed Nicolas Peter CHRISTEN (SUI), Pavel LIAKH (BLR) and 2017 world champion Viktor NEMES (SRB), and will see Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) in the other 77kg semifinal.

The Day One Greco-Roman semifinals kick-off at 16:00 (local time) and can be followed live on www.unitedworldwrestling.org.

 SEMIFINAL PAIRINGS
55kg
SEMIFINAL - Vitalii KABALOEV (RUS) vs. Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) 
SEMIFINAL - Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) vs. Edmond Armen NAZARYAN (BUL)

63kg
SEMIFINAL - Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR) vs. Maksim NEHODA (BLR) 
SEMIFINAL - Mihai Radu MIHUT (ROU) vs. Ibragim LABAZANOV (RUS)

77kg 
SEMIFINAL - Karapet CHALYAN (ARM) vs. Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE)
SEMIFINAL - Volodymyr YAKOVLIEV (UKR) vs. Zotlan LEVAI (HUN)

87kg
SEMIFINAL - Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) vs. Islam ABBASOV (AZE) 
SEMIFINAL - Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) vs. Semen NOVIKOV (UKR)

130kg
SEMIFINAL - Arvi Martin SAVOLAINEN (FIN) vs. Levan ARABULI (GEO) 
SEMIFINAL - Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU) vs. Mykola KUCHMII (UKR)  

SCHEDULE 
Monday (February 10)
18:00 - Semifinal GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg

Tuesday (February 11)
8:30 - Weigh-in GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
8:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in GR – 60-67-72-72-82-97kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
11:30 - Repechage GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
15:30 - Technical conference – all WW teams
15:30 -Draw WW – All weight categories
16:45 - Semi Final GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
18: 00 - Finals GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
18:00 - Award ceremonies

Wednesday (February 12)
8:30 - Weigh-in GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
8:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
11:30 - Repechage GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg 
16:45 - Semi Final WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
18:00 - Finals GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
18:00 - Award ceremonies

Thursday (February 13)
8:30 - Weigh-in WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
8:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
11:30 - Repechage WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
14:00 - Technical conference – all FS teams
14:00 - Draw FS – All weight categories
16:45 - page4image515539072Semi Final WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg 
18:00 - Finals WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
18:00 - Award ceremonies

Friday (February 14)
8:30 - Weigh-in WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg 
8:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
11:30 - Repechage WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg 
16:45 - Semi Final FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg 
18:00 - Finals WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
18:00 - Award ceremonies 

Saturday (February 15)
8:30 - Weigh-in FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg 
8:45 - Medical Examination & Weigh-in FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg 
11:30 - Repechage FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg 
16:45 - Semi Final FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
18:00 - Finals FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
18:00 -Award ceremonies 

Sunday (February 16)
8:30 - Weigh-in FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
16:00 - Repechage FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg 
18:00 - Finals FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
18:00 -Award ceremonies
21:30 - Final banquet

#WrestleBelgrade

World Championships day five semis set

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 14) -- An all women's wrestling day at the World Championships in Belgrade. The final four weight classes will be in action with world champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) taking the mat at 57kg. The 68kg is also guaranteed fireworks.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The semifinals for the evening session are set

57kg
Helen MAROULIS (USA) vs. Davaachimeg ERKHEMBAYAR (MGL)
Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) vs. Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN)

59kg
Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) vs. Grace BULLEN (NOR)
Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) vs. Sakura MOTOKI (JPN)

68kg
Ami ISHII (JPN) vs. Nisha DAHIYA (IND) 
Irina RINGACI (MDA) vs. Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA)

72kg
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs. Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU)
Masako FURUICHI (JPN) vs. Amit ELOR (USA) 

13:02: Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) and Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) going back and forth on Mat C. The scrambles have resulted in a 9-7 lead for Kolawole. Challenge from Kolawole against a four-point move. She loses the challenge. They trade four-pointers with Kolawale leading 13-12. A go behind with just 8 seconds remaining as Aliyeva wins 14-13

13:01: Asian bronze medalist Davaachimeg ERKHEMBAYAR (MGL) clinches a 4-0 victory with a 2-point takedown to the back in defeating Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) to make the 57kg semifinals.

12:57: Helen MAROULIS (USA), pursuing a fourth career world gold, advances to the 57kg semifinals Anhelina LYSAK (POL) with a 10-0 technical fall. Maroulis scores four takedowns, capping the final one with a lack lock roll to end the match at 3:22.

12:55: Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) and Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) in the 57kg quarterfinals with the Ukraine wrestler leading 2-0 at the break. Excellent defense from Hrushyna so far but Sakurai gets a takedown. She gets on the leg again but Hrushyna is trying to expose her. No points. A 2-2 win for Sakurai as she joins her Ikuei University teammates Ami ISHII (JPN) and Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) in the semifinals for the evening session.

12:50: 2021 world U23 bronze medalist Nisha DAHIYA (IND) proves too much for Sofiya GEORGIEVA (BUL), charging to an 11-0 technical fall to secure a spot in the 68kg semifinals.

12:50: Taymara MENSAH STOCK faces a familiar opponent in Feng ZHOU (CHN) in the 68kg quarterfinals on Mat D. She was looking for the fall but Zhou manages to come out of it. She leads 6-0. No comebacks from Zhou this time as Mensah wins 10-0

12:48: Big 68kg quarterfinal as Irina RINGACI (MDA) is up against Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL). Both wrestlers get four points but it's Ringaci leading 7-4 after a takedown. In the second period, Ringaci hits a five before winning the match 14-4

12:46: Ami ISHII (JPN) fights off her back and comes back to score a fall over former world champion Linda MORAIS (CAN) and advance to the 68kg semifinals. Morais uses a barrel roll to put Ishii onto her back, then adds exposure for a 6-2 lead. Ishii shoots in on a double, and Morais uses a counter lift for 2 more. But Ishii keeps the legs, charges ahead and uses a half-nelson to put Morais directly to her back. The fall comes at 2:38.

12:40: Defending world champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN) gives up a takedown against Kendra DACHER (FRA) but answers with a takedown and lace to lead 4-2 at the break. A double from Dacher in the second period to lead 4-4. Furuichi struggling with her defense here. A double leg with 20 seconds remaining and she gets four while looking for the pin. Time runs out but she wins 8-4 at 72kg.

12:36: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) makes the semifinals for the first time in her third appearance at senior worlds with an 11-0 technical fall at 72kg over Shauna KUEBECK (CAN).

12:34: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), the silver medalist at 72kg a year ago in Oslo, simply overpowers  Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB) to make the semifinals with a 10-0 technical fall at 2:50.

12:30: A 40-second fall for U20 world champion Amit ELOR (USA) over Bose TOSUN (TUR) in the 72kg quarterfinals. That got the USA camp excited.

12:27: European silver medalist Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) scores a takedown and exposure in the final minute to rally into the 57kg semifinals with a 5-3 victory over Mansi AHLAWAT (IND).

12:22: On Mat D, Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) and Qi ZHANG (CHN) are involved in a battle on Mat D. Nichita leads 4-2 at the break. Zhang shoots for the leg but is defended by Nichita. Zhange tries to defend against an attack by Nichita but fails. Nichita with another single leg and she is now looking for the fall and it's confirmed.

12:21: Grace BULLEN (NOR), looking for her first world medal in her sixth appearance, gets one step closer by capping a 12-0 technical fall in the 59kg quarterfinals over Erdenesuvd BAT ERDENE (MGL) with a spectacular 5-point throw.

12:20: 59kg quarterfinals with Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) picking up a fall over Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) on Mat C.

12:15: U23 world champion Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) with a fall over Yongxin FENG (CHN) and making her way to the 57kg quarterfinals.

12:11: 2021 world U23 bronze medalist Esther KOLAWOLE, trailing 2-2 on criteria, scores a stepout with :28 left against European bronze medalist Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) to book a place in the 57kg quarterfinals.

12:03: 55kg world champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) and Olympic bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) wrestling on Mat C at 57kg. 1-0 lead for Sakurai at the break for a passivity. A takedown for Sakurai to start the second period, extending her lead to 3-0. Another takedown for her and it's 5-0. Nikolova is in danger of a pin but she lets go of the hold to give up two. 7-0 for Sakurai with one minute remaining. A big four confirmed for Sakurai as she wins 11-0 but Bulgaria challenges the call. Challenge lost and Nikolova will wait if Sakurai can reach the final

12:01: Anhelina LYSAK (POL), the 2021 world U23 champion at 59kg, advanced to the 57kg quarterfinals and a clash with top seed Helen MAROULIS (USA) with a victory by fall over Sarita MOR (IND).

11:56: Olympic champion Taymara MENSAH STOCK (USA) takes the lead against Alla BELINSKA (UKR) with a takedown. She went for another but looks like Bellinska has injured her shoulder. After some medical attention, she will continue but Mensah has the par terre advantage. A fall in the second period for Mensah.

11:54: Two-time European champion Irina RINGACI (MDA), yet another world champion in the stacked 68kg field, rolls to a 10-0 technical fall over Noemi SZABADOS (HUN) to advance to the quarterfinals. Ringaci won the 65kg title in Oslo last year.

11:51: Feng ZHOU (CHN) on Mat C against Ambar GARNICA (MEX) and she takes a 3-0 lead with a takedown and an inactivity point. Garnica on the shot and tries to expose Zhou but exceptional defense from the China wrestler. Zhou gives up two but scores a reversal before hitting a four to lead 8-2. But she hangs on for a 10-4 win.

11:48: Ami ISHII (JPN) sets up an intriguing quarterfinal clash at 68kg with Linda MORAIS (CAN) when the Japanese collegian chalks up a 3-0 win over European silver medalist Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA).

11:47: Defending champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) needs less than 20 seconds to score a fall over Emma TISSINA (KAZ) and advance to the quarterfinals at 57kg.

11:45: Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR), a 10-time African champion chasing a first world medal, loses a 2-2 heartbreaker at 68kg to Asian bronze medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL). Oborududu leads 2-0 from a pair of stepouts, but Enkhsaikhan scores a takedown with 1:15 left to win by criteria.

11:34: In a clash of current and former world champions, 2019 titlist Linda MORAIS (CAN) assures that Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) will not be repeating her title run at 68kg in a nail-biter on Mat A. Morais, trailing 3-0 in the second period, goes ahead 4-3 with a takedown and exposure. When Zhumanazarova gets in on a single, Morais executes a lift for exposure for 2, but the Kyzgyz wrestler reverses her to her back to cut the lead to 6-5 with :20 left. Morais then resists a vicious gut wrench attempt to secure the win.

11:30:  Sarita MOR (IND), a 2021 world bronze medalist at 59kg, wins her opening match at 57kg, scoring the decisive takedown midway through the second period for a 4-2 win over world U23 bronze medalist Hannah TAYLOR (CAN).

11:30: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) and Asian champion Madina BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) have been involved in a very close bout. The Kazakhstan wrestler was cautioned twice for grabbing the fingers before Belinska was warned for negative wrestling. But she gets a takedown to lead 5-1. Bakbergenova gets on the leg but Belinska is cautioned again. 5-2 win for the Ukraine wrestler.

11:25: Yongxin FENG (CHN) looks like a contender at 57kg. She gut wrenches her way to a technical superiority win over Bediha GUN (TUR). After not being able to participate in the World Championships last year, the China team has done well this year.

11:20: Ami ISHII (JPN), coming off a victory at the world U20, gets her first senior world campaign off to a good start with a 10-0 technical fall over Grabriela PEDRO (BRA), scoring the 10th point with a stepout at the first-period buzzer to advance to the 68kg quarterfinals. Ishii defeated 2021 world silver medalist Rin MIYAJI (JPN) en route to making the Japan team to Belgrade.

11:13: Defending champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN) survives a first-round scare at 72kg, holding on for a 4-3 victory over QIANDEGENCHAGAN (CHN), a 2016 Asian bronze medalist. Furuichi scores two first-period takedowns, only for the Chinese to come back with a takedown and activity clock point early in the second. Furuichi is one of only two wrestlers to have completed the “grand slam” of world senior, U23, junior and cadet titles.

11:10: Another U20 world champion Amit ELOR (USA) showing her class in her senior-level tournament. She has U23 world champion Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) but that doesn't matter as she completes a 10-0 win

11:00: U20 world champion Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) with a quick fall over Ebru DAGBASI (TUR) at 59kg. She moves into the quarterfinals against Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE).

10:55: Qi ZHANG (CHN), a 2019 Asian bronze medalist who returned to international action in Bucharest in July and won the gold, moves into the 59kg quarterfinals with a 10-0 technical fall over Elena BRUGGER (GER).

10:50: Grace BULLEN (NOR) looks to be on a mission. She works on Abigail NETTE (USA) to secure a 13-2 win at 59kg.

10:54: European champion Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) records the fall in the first period against Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) to advance to the quarterfinals at 59kg. 

10:29: Hello to all from sunny Belgrade for Day 5 and another morning session of high drama. Today, the last four women's weights will be up, with competition through the quarterfinals at 57kg, 59kg, 68kg and 72kg.