BAKU (June 14) –  The Heydar Aliyev Arena in Baku was rocking Sunday night as a full-capacity crowd stood to cheer Azerbaijan’s Elvin MURSALIYEV (AZE) during his Greco-Roman gold medal finals at 75kg. 

The 26-year-old Azeri didn’t disappoint his home crowd, earning an electric 5-1 decision over Viktor NEMES or Serbia.

“I am immensely happy to win the gold medal in my motherland at the first European Games,’ said Mursaliyev. “I didn't let the home crowd be ashamed. Everything was super. I knew that my nation is behind me and I put all my effort in to not letting them down.”

The veteran wrestler’s countrymen were at his back all day, helping to also prod him past defending 71kg world champion Chingiz LABAZANOV (RUS) in a hotly contested quarterfinal match. That bout was the center of controversy as the Azeri opened up a 4-0 lead, in part because a questionable leg foul was called against Labazanov.

The Russian replied with a takedown late in the match, but failed to score on a lift attempt, dropping the final 4-2.

“Chance smiled at me today,” said Mursaliyev. “And I gained the victory."

Despite their early setback at 71kg the Russian squad enjoyed another multiple championship night snatching gold at 66kg and 85kg adding to the three gold medals won on the opening day of completion. Russia lead all teams with a total of five Greco-Roman gold medals, blowing past second-place Azerbaijan who knotted a pair across two days.

Russia began their gold medal run on Sunday with No.13 Artem SURKOV (RUS) who bested Migran ARUTYUNYAN (ARM) in a passionate and competitive 2-0 victory. The local crowd supported Surkov as though he were born in Baku, their frenzy charged by a multi-generational military conflict with Armenia. The noise would only be matched by the support they later showed the triumphant Mursaliyev.

Russia’s second gold medal came from No.16 David CHAKVETADZE (RUS) who bested No.3 Zhan BELENYUK (UKR), 3-2 even as the match was almost plucked from Chakvetadz’s grasp by a late-charging Belenyuk.

"I knew this would be a tough contest. He (Belenyuk) is very strong, and I cannot express how happy I am to win,” said Chakvetadze.

“This is my first big international success,” continued Chakvetadze, noting that he was preparing for one more tournament before the world championships.

The final bout of Greco-Roman competition came at 130kg where barrel-chested Riza KAALYAP (TUR) found a gut wrench and pushout to win an easy 3-1 bout over Sabahi SHARIATI of Azerbaijan. The Turkish competitor played to the close relationship between the Azerbaijan and Turkish people waving the flags of both nations as he jogged the mat in victory. He was greeted by a warm applause.

Wrestling continues tomorrow morning at 10:00am with women’s wrestling at 48kg, 55kg, 60kg and 69kg. For full results, photos and notes from wrestling action in Baku head over to UnitedWorldWrestling.org.

Medal Results

66kg -- Greco-Roman
GOLD: No.13 Artem SURKOV (RUS) df. Migran ARUTYUNYAN (ARM), 2-0
BRONZE: No.5 Hasan ALIYEV (AZE) df. No.18 Aleksander MAKSIMOVIC (SRB), 4-0
BRONZE: No.17 Istvan LEVAI (SVK) df. Denys DEM'YANKOV (UKR), 6-4

Semifinal: Migran ARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. No.5 Hasan ALIYEV (AZE), 8-5
Semifinal: No.13 Artem SURKOV (RUS) df. Denys DEM'YANKOV (UKR), 2-0

75kg -- Greco-Roman
GOLD: No.5 Elvin MURSALIYEV (AZE) df. No.6 Viktor NEMES (SRB), 5-1
BRONZE: Dmytro PYSHKOV (UKR) df. Pascal EISELE (GER), 6-2
BRONZE: No. 2 @ 71kg Chingiz LABAZANOV (RUS) df. No.11 Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (GEO), 3-2

Semifinal: No.6 Viktor NEMES (SRB) df. Dmytro PYSHKOV (UKR), 5-2
Semifinal: No.5 Elvin MURSALIYEV (AZE) df. No.11 Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (GEO), 3-2

85kg -- Greco-Roman
GOLD: No.16 David CHAKVETADZE (RUS) df. No.3 Zhan BELENYUK (UKR), 3-2
BRONZE: Ramsin AZIZSIR (GER) df. No.19 Nenad ZUGAJ (CRO), 5-1
BRONZE: No.9 Metehan BASAR (TUR) df. No.8 Maksim MANUKYAN (ARM), 3-0

Semifinal: No.16 David CHAKVETADZE (RUS) df. No.19 Nenad ZUGAJ (CRO), 6-2
Semifinal: No.3 Zhan BELENYUK (UKR) df. No.8 Maksim MANUKYAN (ARM) by TF, 12-4

130kg -- Greco-Roman
GOLD: No.2 Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Sabahi SHARIATI (AZE), 3-1
BRONZE: No.4 Heiki NABI (EST) df. No.13 Balint LAM (HUN), 1-0
BRONZE: No.17 Iosif CHUGOSHVILI (BLR) df. Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO), 3-0

Semifinal: No.2 Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. No.4 Heiki NABI (EST), 7-0
Semifinal: Sabahi SHARIATI (AZE) df. No.17 Iosif CHUGOSHVILI (BLR) by DQ