#WrestleBelgrade

Olympic Champs Vlasov, Chakvetadze Lead Russian Quartet into GR Finals

Saturday, December 12, 2020 - 20:14 By Andrew Hipps

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Link: Day 1 Photos

BELGRADE, Serbia (December 12) -- Olympic champions Roman VLASOV (77kg) and Davit CHAKVETADZE (87kg) led a quartet of Russian finalists in Greco-Roman on the opening day of the Individual World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia.

The Individual World Cup marks international wrestling's return to competition after 270 days. 

Vlasov, a two-time Olympic champion, advanced to the 77kg finals with a 2-1 semifinal victory Viktor NEMES (SRB) in a battle of world champions. Vlasov scored a passivity in the first. Nemes came back to take the criteria lead off a passivity before Vlasov retook the lead with a passivity and held on for the win

He will meet European silver medalist Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) in the 77kg finals. Levai edged Yasaf ZEINALOV (UKR) 1-1 on criteria in the semifinals. The Hungarian scored the first point off a passivity to go up 1-0. Levai scored a passivity point of his own in the second period to take the criteria lead, which would prove to be the difference in the match.

Davit CHAKVETADZE throws Hossein NOURI (IRI) in the semifinals at 87kg (Photo/Kadir CALISKAN, UWW)

Chakvetadze dominated 2017 world bronze medalist Hossein NOURI (IRI) 7-0 in the semifinals at 87kg. The Russian Olympic gold medalist used a four-point throw to go up 5-0 in the first period. He added two step outs in the final period while shutting down Nouri.

Opposing Chakvetadze in the 87kg finals will be Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR), who rolled to a technical superiority over Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) in the semifinals. Maskevich led 4-3 at the break before pulling away in the second period on the strength of a four-point throw. 

Russia's other finalists are Emin SEFERSHAEV (55kg) and Nazir ABDULLAEV (67kg).

The 22-year-old Sefershaev moved into the 55kg finals with a 9-0 technical superiority over Balbai DORDOKOV (KGZ). Sefershaev scored an early takedown to go up 2-0. He extended his lead to 3-0 with a passivity point. Late the in period, Sefershaev scored two points off an arm throw before finishing the match with a four-point throw. Earlier in the day, Sefershaev knocked off 2018 world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE).

Sefershaev will meet Serif KILIC (TUR) for the gold medal. Kilic, a silver medalist at the Zagreb Open last month, was dominant in claiming a 10-0 technical superiority in one minute over Artiom DELEANU (MDA) in the semifinals. He scored a four-point move early in the match, and then used a gut wrench to go up 6-0 before finishing the match with another four-point throw.


Olympic champion Davor STEFANEK (SRB) fell in the quarterfinals before announcing his retirement (Photo: Kadir CALISKAN, UWW)

Abdullaev turned in an impressive showing on the opening day. After starting his tournament with a victory over Roman PACURKOWSKI (POL), Abdullaev handled Rio Olympic champion Davor STEFANEK (SRB) 7-1 in the quarterfinals. After the match, Stefanek left his shoes on the mat, signifying his retirement from the sport after 17 years on the senior level. 

In the semifinals, Abdullaev cruised to a 9-0 technical superiority over Khalmurat IBRAGIMOV (KGZ) in the semifinals. Abdullaev led 2-0 at the break before opening up the scoring in the second period to end the match early. 


Islambek DADOV (AZE) lifts Artur POLITAIEV (UKR) in the 67kg semifinals (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

In the second semifinal at 67kg, Islambek DADOV (AZE) advanced to the finals with an 8-2 win over Artur POLITAIEV (UKR). Dadov led 1-0 at the break and then extended his lead to 4-0 in the second period. Politaiev cut the deficit to 4-2 late in the match before trying a desperation move in the closing moments, giving Dadov four points and a six-point victory.

Balint KORPASI (HUN) and Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) reached the finals at 72kg.

Korpasi won a hard-fought match, 3-1, over Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) in a battle of multiple-time world medalists. The 33-year-old Hungarian scored the only point of the opening period off a passivity. In the second period, Mnatsakanian scored his first point off a passivity to take the criteria lead. Mnatsakanian then attempted a gut wrench but Korpasi countered and scored two points to take the 3-1 lead in what turned out to be the final scoring sequence of the match. 

Amoyan shut out Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR) 7-0 in the second semifinal at 72kg. Amoyan raced out to a 5-0 lead on the strength of a four-point throw in the opening period. He added a takedown in the second period to win by seven.

Action resumes Sunday at 11:00 local time with Greco-Roman qualification rounds at 60kg, 63kg, 82kg, 97kg and 130kg.

Greco-Roman Semifinal Results

55kg
Serif KILIC (TUR) df. Artiom DELEANU (MDA) by VSU, 10-0
Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) df. Balbai DORDOKOV (KGZ) by VSU, 9-0
 
67kg
Nazir ABDULLAEV (RUS) df. Khalmurat IBRAGIMOV (KGZ) by VSU, 9-0
Islambek DADOV (AZE) df. Artur POLITAIEV (UKR) by VPO1, 8-2
 
72kg
Balint KORPASI (HUN) df. Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), by VPO1, 3-1
Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR) by VPO, 7-0

77kg
Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) df. Yasaf ZEINALOV (UKR) by VPO1, 1-1
Roman VLASOV (RUS) df. Viktor NEMES (SRB) by VPO1, 2-1

87kg
Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) df. Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) by VSU1, 11-3
Davit CHAKVETADZE (RUS) df. Hossein NOURI (IRI) by VPO, 7-0
 

#WrestleBelgrade

Orta, Jafarov set showdown at World Championships

Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 17:50 By Vinay Siwach

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BELGRADE, Serbia (September 23) -- Tokyo Olympic champion at 60kg Luis ORTA (CUB) will be back in Paris, although in a new weight class, made it to his first-ever World Championships final on Saturday.

Orta moved up to the 67kg weight class at the start of the year and delivered results instantly, winning the Pan-Am gold and bronze medals at the Ranking Series events.

In Belgrade, Orta was slated to face world champion Mate NEMES (SRB) in the quarterfinals and after securing a hard-fought win over the local wrestler. Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) tried stopping him in the semifinals but Orta scored three takedowns in his 9-1 win over the Kyrgyz wrestler.

By reaching the final, Orta confirmed a spot for Cuba at the Paris Olympics next year.

But to be a world champion, Orta will have to beat the returning bronze medalist and a young star of the sport Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE).

The 20-year-old former U20 and U23 world champion reached the final after beating three top wrestlers in three straight bouts. He first took out European silver medalist Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) before beating Olympic champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI), 10-0, in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals, Jafarov was made to work hard by Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) for his 5-3 win. Jafarov scored a turn from par terre to lead 3-0. Jafarov was awarded a second passivity in the second period to change the score to 4-0 but he failed to score any points.

Galstyan scored a takedown in the second period and cut Jafarov's lead to 4-2 and got a stepout in the final second to make it 4-3. Armenia's challenge for fleeing could not be confirmed on review, adding a point to Jafarov's score.

At 87kg, David LOSONCIZ (HUN) showed why he is the most dynamic wrestler of the weight class, mauling his opponents in the run to the final. After winning his first two bouts via technical superiority, he defeated Kiryl MASKEVICH (AIN) 6-1 in the final before a brutal rolling of Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) in the semifinals.

He will face European silver medalist and returning bronze Ali CENGIZ (TUR) for the gold who scored a come-from-behind victory over Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) in the other semifinal. 

Cengiz had earlier beaten Olympic champion Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) 3-1 in the 1/8 finals before winning 3-3 against Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) who was a silver medalist at 82kg last year.

In the non-Olympic weight class, two-time world silver medalist Leri ABULADZE (GEO) will try to win a gold medal as he reached the final for the third straight year. Abuladze defeated Stefan CLEMENT (FRA) 3-1 in the semifinals.

For the gold, Abuladze will have a rematch of the 2022 European Championships final as Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) reached the final after beating Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) from the other side of the bracket. Abuladze won the gold at Euros 3-1.