#WrestlePlovdiv

With Lorincz in his Corner, Takacs Wins #WrestlePlovdiv Gold

Tuesday, March 8, 2022 - 20:01 By Vinay Siwach

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PLOVDIV, Bulgaria (March 8) – As Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) patted Istvan TAKACS (HUN) on the back and handed him the Hungarian flag, it marked a symbolic moment in the country's Greco-Roman history.

This was the passing of baton at 87kg for Hungary as Lorincz, a silver medalist from Tokyo Olympics, guided rising star Takacs to the gold medal at the U23 European Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Five gold medals were decided Tuesday and Hungary claimed a pair while Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey got one each.

“I am very, very happy with the performance,” Lorincz said.

The 31-year-old sat shouted instructions as Takacs and Dariusz VITEK (HUN) won the 87kg and 130kg respectively. Moreover, the three-time World Championships medalist never made the moment about himself as a coach but his wrestlers.

Hungary took home the first gold after Takacs' incredible performance in the final against junior European champion Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN), who looked on a mission to win his first U23-level gold.

He had in his pocket for the most part of the final, leading 4-1 with two minutes remaining in the six-minute bout. He was awarded a point for Takacs' passivity in the first period and while trying a gut-wrench, he ended up giving a point for reversal.

But he capitalized on a failed arm-spin of his opponent and led 3-1 going into the break. Another passivity point increased his lead to 4-1 but he could not inflict any further damage.

“I was prepared to give up the first point against him [Bisultanov] because he works more in the first period,” Takacs said. “But I knew I have to come hard in the second period.”

Bisultanov continued to put forward pressure and it was one of these moments when Takacs moved out of the way and scored a takedown. A gut-wrench made it 5-4 for the Hungarian with a minute left.

Istvan TakacsIstvan TAKACS (HUN) celebrates after winning the gold in Plovdiv. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The moment left Lorincz celebrating with a fist-pump before he hugged his ward and sent him for a victory lap.

But both Lorincz and Takacs know that this is only the beginning of the road to the senior national team. As a matter of fact, Takacs could not make it to that team for this month's home European Championships in Budapest.

Former U23 world champion Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) is on the roaster but that also means that Lorincz and Takacs have their task cut out for the year with the Hungarian Championships scheduled before the September senior World Championships. The national champion will be heading to Belgrade, Serbia.

“I used to wrestle with him in training so I know where he can improve and I will continue to help him to make the senior team,” Lorincz said.

Takacs, a bronze medalist from last year's U23 Euros, is banking on his hard work and coach's knowledge to make the weight class his own.

“I don't feel the pressure of Lorincz's achievement as my coach,” he said. “Actually, he will only help me become better and win constantly.”

Dariusz VITEK (HUN)Dariusz VITEK (HUN) defetaed Fatih BOZKURT (TUR) in the 130kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 130kg, a battle of two bronze medalists from last year saw Vitek come out on top 1-1 against Fatih BOZKURT (TUR).

Vitek was put in par terre in the first period while Bozkurt was penalized in the second. With the score 1-1 and Vitek leading on criteria, it was a matter of which wrestler will blink first.

The referees once again called Vitek passive but no points are awarded for the third passivity call. However, Bozkurt could not score points despite getting the top position, giving Vitek the win.

Emre MUTLUEmre MUTLU (TUR) pinned Denis DEMIROV (BUL) in the 55kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Turkey's lone gold medal came at 55kg when Emre MUTLU (TUR) battled hard to secure a victory via fall against Denis DEMIROV (BUL) who was backed by a vocal home crowd.

Like his semifinal in which he staged a comeback from a 7-0 deficit, Mutlu recovered from 5-0 in the final. He was cautioned for blocking Demirov's attack with his hand on the neck. He was called passive to further trail 3-0. Demirov managed to get a roll and lead 5-0.

In the second period, Demirov was called for inactivity and a front-head lock from Mutlu gave him four. Demirov's reversal for four from standing was given four. But Turkey challenged the call and Demirov's move was called a leg foul when rewatched. Mutlu led 8-5 at this point. A desperate move from Demirov failed and Mutlu secured the fall.

Giorgi SHOTADZEGiorgi SHOTADZE (GEO) won the 63kg final 3-0. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Georgia and Azerbaijan exchanged gold medals at 63kg and 77kg as both bouts had the Azerbaijan-Georgia pair.

Giorgi SHOTADZE (GEO) battled it out with Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) to earn a 3-0 win in the 63kg final. The former cadet and junior world champion scored a takedown inside 30 seconds. He was up 3-0 once Babashov was called passive in the second period and maintained that lead with some solid defense to win the top medal.

But Khasay HASANLI (AZE) made sure the results were reversed at 77kg by winning the gold medal after a quick 10-0 win against Davit SOLOGASHVILI (GEO).

When Sologashvili was called passive in the first period, Hasanli was already up 2-0. He lifted the Georgian from par terre and tried going for an overhead throw. But seeing the momentum in the opposite direction because of his opponent's defense, Hasanli put Sologashvili pushed to his back and scored four.

An exposure added two more points to give him a 9-0 win. Georgia challenged the call but lost giving more points to Hasanli and the gold medal.

Khasay HASANLI (AZE)Khasay HASANLI (AZE) finished the 77kg inside first period. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

But Georgia will have a chance to win five gold medals Wednesday as all their remaining Greco-Roman wrestlers reached the summit clashes led by junior World Championships silver medalist Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO). He took out U23 world champion Idris IBAEV (GER) earlier in the day.

Women's wrestling will also begin Wednesday with five weight classes – 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg – in action.

RESULTS

GR Medal Bouts

55kg
GOLD: Emre MUTLU (TUR) df Denis DEMIROV (BUL), via fall

BRONZE: Artiom DELEANU (MDA) df Steven ECKER (GER), 7-6
BRONZE: Denis MIHAI (ROU) df Azat SEDRAKYAN (ARM), 6-0

63kg
GOLD: Giorgi SHOTADZE (GEO) df Ziya BABASHOV (AZE), 3-0

BRONZE: Mustafa YILDIRIM (TUR) df Vladimir HAROYAN (ARM), 3-1
BRONZE: Ilia MUSTAKOV (BUL) df Abere FETENE (ISR), 9-5

77kg
GOLD: Khasay HASANLI (AZE) df Davit SOLOGASHVILI (GEO), 10-0

BRONZE: Krisztofer KLANYI (HUN) df Aleksa ILIC (SRB), 4-1
BRONZE: Abdurrahman KALKAN (TUR) df Patryk BEDNARZ (POL), 5-0

87kg
GOLD: Istvan TAKACS (HUN) df Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN), 5-4

BRONZE: Lachin VALIYEV (AZE) df Gevorg TADEVOSYAN (ARM), 6-5
BRONZE: Szymon SZYMONOWICZ (POL) df Matej MANDIC (CRO), 8-0

130kg
GOLD: Dariusz VITEK (HUN) df Fatih BOZKURT (TUR), 1-1

BRONZE: Giorgi TSOPURASHVILI (GEO) df Tomasz WAWRZYNCZYK (POL), 1-1
BRONZE: Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE) df Nikolaos NTOUNIAS (GRE), 6-1

Day 2 Semifinals

60kg
GOLD: Irakli DZIMISTARISHVILI (GEO) vs Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE)

SF 1: Irakli DZIMISTARISHVILI (GEO) df Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA), 9-0
SF 2: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df Tigran MINASYAN (ARM), 9-0

67kg
GOLD: Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) vs Kadir KAMAL (TUR)

SF 1: Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df Ignazio SANFILIPPO (ITA), 9-0
SF 2: Kadir KAMAL (TUR) df Niklas OEHLEN (SWE), 8-1

72kg
GOLD: Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR) vs Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO)

SF 1: Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR) df Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 4-0
SF 2: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR), 7-0

82kg
GOLD: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) vs Beka GURULI (GEO)

SF 1: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) df Vasile COJOC (ROU), 8-0
SF 2: Beka GURULI (GEO) df Branko KOVACEVIC (SRB), 3-3

97kg
GOLD: Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) vs Markus RAGGINGER (AUT)

SF 1: Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) df Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED), 4-0
SF 2: Markus RAGGINGER (AUT) df Richard KARELSON (EST), 9-0

#WrestleBratislava

European history for Serbia; Matcharashvili makes 3rd straight final

Monday, April 7, 2025 - 17:44 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 7) -- Paris silver medalist and defending 97kg champion Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) posted his photo on Instagram last week and captioned it: "I declare the hunting season open."

Two weeks later, Matcharashvili is doing exactly that. He marked the start of the season at 97kg by making it to his third European Championships final in Bratislava.

The first day of the European Championships, which got underway at the X-Bionic Sphere on Monday, turned out to be historic for Serbia as it got its first-ever Freestyle finalist at the European Championships and France ended its drought of missing out on the finals.

Matcharashvili, who participated in the Zagreb Open at 125kg, returned to his preferred 97kg and spent only 4 minutes and 45 seconds in his two bouts in Bratislava to make the final.

In the semifinal, Richard VEGH (HUN) failed to challenge Matcharashvili who scored a takedown and four gut-wrenches to post 10-0 technical superiority in just a minute and 24 seconds.

Matcharashvili has never lost at the European Championships, winning two back-to-back golds in 2023 and 2024. He is a step closer to a third straight gold medal and will take on Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) for it.

Kurbanov, a former European champion at 92kg, had to tougher path to the final. He scored a 5-2 win over Radu LEFTER (MDA) in the other semifinal. He was ahead 3-0 but got surprised by a Lefter front headlock exposure for two. However, Kurbanov recovered and scored a match-winning takedown to win and book a spot in the final.

Kurbanov was a late replacement for Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) at 97kg after Sadulaev failed to travel to Bratislava with the team

Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB)Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) became the first Serbian Freestyle wrestler to enter final of European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

History for Serbia

Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) created history for Serbia when he reached the 57kg final, becoming the first Freestyle wrestler from the country to make it to the final.

The 2020 European champion for Russia, Tuskaev switched to Serbia in 2024 and returned to the final after five years. He will face Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) for the gold medal bout at 57kg.

In the semifinal, Tuskaev defeated Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW), 3-1, after the two were put on 30-second activity clocks. Tuskaev scored a stepout in addition to the activity clock point to take the lead in the final minute of the bout. Tiutrin tried to get the one point for a criteria win but failed to break Tuskaev's defense.

Mongush blanked Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) 5-0 in the other semifinal which he controlled for full six minutes. He got on the scoreboard when Bazarganov as cautioned for one point for hitting him with open hands.

Bazarganov was on activity clock when he was cautioned and as the clock expired, Mongush led 2-0. Mongush added two stepouts to make it 4-0 at the break before another activity lock point in the second period was enough for a 5-0 win for Mongush.

Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA)Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) tries to defend an attack from Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE) in the 65kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

France also had something to rejoice as two wrestlers reached the finals, ending a four-year drought of a finalist in Freestyle. Young star Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) and veteran Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) booked finals spot for France at 70kg and 79kg respectively, putting the nation in the finals for the first time since 2021.

However, their path to gold will be tricky.

Arsamerzouev will have the repeat of the European U23 Championships from 2024 and face two-time world U23 champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) for the 65kg gold medal. Ibragimov won that bout 6-2 for the gold medal.

The French wrestler barely made it to the final as Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE) had him in a tangle in the final 10 seconds and scored an exposure. However, Arsamerzouev also got two points for exposure to win 4-3.

Rahimzada had fallen behind 2-1 earlier when challenged for a stepout but lost the challenge, denying him any other opportunity to challenge in the match.

Ibragimov rolled into the 65kg final on his senior European Championships debut with a stunning 11-0 win over Goga OTINASHVILI (GEO) in the semifinal. He led 1-0 at the break for Otinashvili's passivity but second period saw Ibragimov break into action as he defended a leg attack and countered with a takedown. He scored two turns using gut-wrench and leg lace to lead 7-0. A go-behind takedown put him 9-0 ahead before an easy turn got him into the final 11-0.

While this was a dominant win, Ibragimov pulled off an incredible comeback against former European champion Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) in the quarterfinal, beating him 3-2. Tevanyan led 2-1 with 90 seconds remaining on the clock but Ibragimov hit a collar-tie snap to score a takedown and take a 3-2 lead which he defended till the end.

Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA)Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) defeated Ion MARCU (MDA) 7-0 in the 79kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

For Khadjiev, a two-time silver medalist, world 79kg champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) stands between him and the gold medal which Khadjiev lost in 2018 and 2019 after losing in two straight finals.

The 30-year-old broke Ion MARCU (MDA) down with his attacking style and claimed a 7-0 victory in the semifinal. Khadjiev had two stepouts, an activity clock point and two takedowns in his win.

"It was really tough," Khadjiev said. "Three years ago I went to Oklahoma State [University] to train and even young wrestlers were beating easily. But I didn’t give up. I wanted to win something."

While there have been many instances of Khadjiev losing in the final seconds earlier in his career, the 2025 season has begun on a positive note for the French.

He won the Zagreb Open in January and is now a win away from his first gold medal at the European Championships. Khadjiev put the success on wrestling more 'professionally.'

"I can say that now my wrestling in more mature," he said. "I don’t risk it or do something aimlessly. I even watch the matches of my opponents, try to analyze them. I never did that before. I would say I wrestle more professionally now."

Akhmed USMANOV (UWW)Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) defends an attack from Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP) in the 79kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

If he watched Usmanov's wrestling videos from Monday, Khadjiev may think he has a chance. Usmanov was a shadow of himself from the 2023 World Championships. Though he reached the final, Usmanov never got going, winning the final 7-0 against Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP) with his counter wrestling.

In the quarterfinal, Usmanov barely managed to sneak through against former European champion Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR). Usmanov was trailing 1-1 on criteria after the two wrestlers failed to score in the activity periods. In the final minute of the bout, Mykhailov was put on the activity clock for the second time. He failed to score, giving Usmanov a 2-1 lead which he defended for the final 28 seconds and secured the win.

European Championships debutant David BAEV (UWW), wrestling internationally for the first time since winning the world gold in 2019, booked spot in the 70kg final with a cautious 3-0 win over Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) in the semifinal.

In his opening bout, he defeated world 65kg champion Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) rather easily with a score of 10-0.

Baev will take on defending champion Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) for the gold medal after the Armenian managed to hang on for a 3-1 win over Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO).

Andreasyan scored takedown and got a point for Kemertelidze's passivity which took him to his third European final.

Photo

RESULTS

Freestyle Semifinals

57kg
GOLD: Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) vs. Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW)

SF 1: Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) df. Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE), 5-0
SF 2: Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) df. Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW), 3-1

65kg
GOLD: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) vs. Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA)

SF 1: Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) df. Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE), 4-3
SF 2: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) df. Goga OTINASHVILI (GEO), 11-0

70kg
GOLD: Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) vs. David BAEV (UWW)

SF 1: David BAEV (UWW) df. Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE), 3-0
SF 2: Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) df. Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO), 3-1

79kg
GOLD: Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) vs. Akhmed USMANOV (UWW)

SF 1: Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) df. Ion MARCU (MDA), 7-0
SF 2: Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) df. Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP), 7-0

97kg
GOLD: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) vs. Magomed KURBANOV (UWW)

SF 1: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) df. Richard VEGH (HUN), 10-0
SF 2: Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) df. Radu LEFTER (MDA), 5-2