#Yariguin2019

Pair of Russians Looking to Build on World Titles at Ivan Yariguin

Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 02:12 By Eric Olanowski

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KRASNOYARSK, Russia (January 22) -  The 2019 Ivan Yariguin Grand Prix in freestyle is scheduled to include two Olympic champions, five world champions, and a number of Russia’s fastest-rising stars.

While some wrestlers will be looking to climb back to the top, more are looking to build on their 2018 season. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS)  and Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) reached the top of the podium at the world championships and are looking to bring their hot streaks into Siberia.

On the other hand, Rio Olympic champions Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Kyle SNYDER (USA) come into the Yariguin with a chip on their back and have something to prove. Snyder returns to the mat for the first time since giving up the 70 second fall in the finals at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest in October. Likewise, Akgul is looking to climb back on the medal stand after a subpar performance at the World Championships that saw him go home medaless for the first time in his international career.

Snyderlaev III Postponed

Snyder was expected to face rival Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) at 97kg, but Russian head freestyle coach Dzambolat TEDEEV informed the press earlier this month that the “The Russian Tank” would be sitting out the winter classic. He’ll be joined on the sidelines by Russia’s other high-octane 97kg wrestler, European champion and Yariguin bronze medalist,  Vladislav BAITSAEV (RUS).

For Snyder to become the first-ever American to win three straight Yariguin titles, the detoured road now travels through the trio of Russians, Shamil MUSAEV, Igor OVSYANNIKOV, and Rasul MAGOMEDOV.


Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) returns to the mat for the first time since leaving the world championships without a medal. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Deng and Akgul on Collision Course

Heavyweight will see the return of 2016 Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR), who will be making his first return to the mats since missing out on a medal at the Budapest World Championships.

To win his first Yariguin title, Akgul will most likely have to knock off China’s reigning world silver medalist, DENG Zhiwei (CHN).

Deng captured a silver medal at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary and became China’s first-ever freestyle world medalist. For his world silver medal efforts, Deng earned United World Wrestling’s Freestyle History Maker of the Year award.


Zaurbek Sidakov is one of two reigning world champions entered into the 2019 Ivan Yariguin. (Photo: Martin Gabor) 

Russian Middleweights Looking Golden

Aside from the pair of Olympic champions in attendance, two reigning world champions are also set to compete. The duo of Russian world champions who will be in action this week are Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (70kg) and Zaurbek Sidakov (74kg).

Gazimagomedov, the two-time world champion, has never placed higher than second in his three previous Yariguin appearances. His highest finish came a year ago when he lost to 2016 world champion Magomed KURBANALIEV (RUS) in the 70kg finals. Though he didn't get the opportunity to avenge that loss to Kurbanaliev at Russian Nationals, he did defeat Arbak SAT (RUS), who beat Kurbanaliev. That win helped him earned his spot on Russia’s  2018 world team. He later went to Budapest and reached the top of the world podium for the second time since 2015.

The second Russian reigning world champion that’s expected to compete this weekend is Zaurbek Sidakov. Sidakov returns to competition for the first time since defeating four-time world and London Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS and two-time world champion Frank CHAMIZO on his way to his first world title.

This will be Sidakov’s fifth time wrestling at the Yariguin. He’s medaled in each of his four previous trips. Since his Yariguin debut in 2015, Sidakov has finished in third, first, second and second respectively.


In preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games, TUMENBILEG Tuvshintulga (MGL) will move down to 57kg with hopes of making Mongolia's Tokyo 2020 team. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

Uguev Out Means Mongolian Moves into Title Contention

The Russian Federation announced that they’ll be without reigning 57kg world champion, Zaur UGUEV (RUS). Without the Russian lightweight hammer who has won the last two Yariguin titles, the door remains open for the takes, but two Mongolian’s are among the favorites to win it all.

Uguev’s absence means the easiest picks for title contenders go to the wrestlers with the most world-level success, and that happens to be Mongolia’s pair of world bronze medalists ERDENEBAT Bekhbayar (MGL) and TUMENBILEG Tuvshintulga (MGL).

Tumenbileg, a 2018 world bronze medalist at 61kg will be moving down to the Olympic weight of 57kg with hopes of denying Erdenebat a second straight trip to the Olympic Games.

The pair, who are fighting for country supremacy,  have ruled the lower weights in Mongolia for the past few years. Erdenebat has represented Mongolia at 57kg at five straight world championships and the Rio Olympic Games, while Tumenbileg has represented Mongolia at 61kg at the world championships four times since 2012.

America’s 2017 world silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA) will also be title-hunting at this weight. This will be Gilman's first time stepping back on the mat since dropping the bronze-medal bout at the world championships to take fifth place.

New Season, New Weight for Rashidov and Kurbanaliev

The bearded Dagestani two-time world runner-up, Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS), will attempt to make one of the most difficult leaps in wrestling and bump up from 61kg to 65kg. The 23-year-old reigning Yariguin champion will try to break the streak of failed attempts to bump up from 61kg to 65kg.

Reigning Yariguin champion Magomed Kurbanaliev has proven that he’s one of the top wrestlers in the world at 70kg. He’s been one of the most consistent wrestlers in the world at 70kg, reaching the top of the podium at the world and European championships. But now, he’ll try to redirect his attention to moving up to one of the deepest weight classes in the world, 74kg, with hopes of proving that he belongs in the discussion with the likes of Sidakov, Burroughs, and Chamizo.


Ahmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) is looking to win his fourth Yariguin title. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne) 

79kg Without American Superstars Burroughs and Dake

Jordan Burroughs, the four-time world and London Olympic champion was apart of the early entries and was expected to make the trip to Siberia for the first time in his career. Burroughs was registered at 79kg and was taking the place of world champion and last year’s Yariguin runner-up Kyle DAKE (USA), who welcomed a new baby two weeks ago, but has since decided to pull out.

Without those two American superstars, the USA’s hopes of stopping Russia’s Ahmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) from winning his fourth Yariguin title ride on the back of Alexander DIERINGER (USA).

Though he’s relatively unknown, Dieringer has medaled at five straight tournaments and has won gold medals at the Alexander Medved Prizes and the International Ukrainian Tournament.

What’s at Stake?

The Ivan Yariguin is the first of four Ranking Series events of the year.

The winner of each Ranking Series event will be awarded eight (8) points, with second, third and fifth place grabbing six (6), four (4), and two (2) points respectively. In addition to the placement points, wrestlers will receive points based on the number of participants in their bracket. For weight categories with 10 or fewer entries, an additional six (6) points will be added. For categories with 11-20 wrestlers entered an additional eight (8) points will be added. Ten (10) points will be added to any weight category with more than 20 entries.

The points wrestlers gain this weekend are used as a part of the seeding process for the 2019 Astana World Championships. The number of points competitors accumulate from last year's World Championships, along with the 2019 Continental Championships and the Ranking Series events, will be combined and the wrestlers with the four highest cumulative points will be award the top four seeds.

SCHEDULE (Local time)

January 23 (Wednesday)
08.00 - Arrival of delegations
15.30 - Referees clinic
15.30 - Press conference with the Organizing Committee representatives, main referees body, team leaders and coaches
16.30 - Draw: Women: cat: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: cat: 57,61,70 kg

January 24 (Thursday)
08:30 - Medical examination and weigh-in cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg
11.00 - Elimination rounds cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg
16.00 - Draw cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg
17.00 -1⁄2 finale cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg

January 25 (Friday)
08:15 - Weigh-in cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg
08:30 - Medical examination and weigh-in cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg
11.00 - Elimination rounds and 1⁄2 finale cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg  - Repechage cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg
16.30 - Draw cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg
16.00 - Opening ceremony
17.00 - Finals cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg

January 26 (Saturday)
08:15 - Weigh-in cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg
08:30 - Medical examination and weigh-in cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg
11.00 - Elimination rounds and 1⁄2 finale cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg - Repechage cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg
18.00 - Finals cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg

January 27 (Sunday)
09:00 - Weigh-in cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg
11.00 - Repechage cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg
13.00 - Finals cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg

#WrestleTirana

World Championships: Azizli wins record fourth title, leads Azerbaijan's golden run

Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - 22:17 By Ken Marantz

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TIRANA, Albania (October 29) -- In leading a golden night for Azerbaijan, Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) became the country's most successful wrestler on the world stage.

Azizli won his fourth consecutive world title at Greco 55kg, one of three golds won by Azerbaijan on the first night of finals at the Non-Olympic Weight Categories World Championships on Tuesday in Tirana.

Azerbaijan also got golds from Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) at 63kg and Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) at 72kg, while Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) took the other Greco title at stake at 82kg to claim an elusive world gold after having previously settled for three bronzes.

In the 55kg final, Azizli defeated 2023 bronze medalist Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) for the fourth time in four career meetings, but this one was the closest as he won 1-1 on last-point criteria after each received a passivity point.

"I have met the Iran wrestler before and we know each other well," Azizli said. "That is why it was close. I have beaten him four times and but this time it was closer."

It was an ironic defeat for Dad Marz, who had been on the winning end of the same scoreline in his two previous matches. In their most recent encounter at the Budapest Ranking Series in June, Azizli had bested the Iranian 6-1.

By winning his fourth world title, the 32-year-old Azizli eclipsed the national record of three held by freestyle great Haji ALIYEV (AZE), who won golds in 2014, 2015 and 2017. Aliyev also has two Olympic medals, a prize that Azizli is unable to attain on the current Olympic program.

Looking ahead, Azizli said he would like to win his fifth world Greco gold, a milestone reached by 16 wrestlers, topped by the 12 of Russian legend Aleksandr KARELIN (RUS).

"I don't know what the future holds, but I would like to win five world gold medals," he said. "I will not be at the Europeans [next year], but I will try to win a fifth world title and finish my career."

In a battle of reigning continental champions, Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) took advantage of some impatience on the part of Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ), scoring twice by stopping throw attempts for a 6-1 victory in the 63kg final.

After keeping Asian champion Zharlykassyn from scoring from par terre in the first period, Mammadli, the European 60kg champion, went ahead by stuffing a back suplex attempt, adding a roll to go ahead 4-1.

When Zharlykassyn tried a front headlock throw at the edge, Mammadli pressed forward and sent him tumbling back for another 2 to put the match out of reach.

At 72kg, Ganizade kept the Azeri juggernaut going and improved on his silver medal from 2022 by dethroning defending champion Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) 3-2.

Ganizade had won a 7-7 nail-biter over Ghanem in the final at the 2023 European Championships, and Tuesday's clash was just as tense. Ganizade was put on the bottom of par terre in the first period, but grabbed Ghanem's head and stopped a roll attempt for a 2-point exposure.

Ghanem received a second passivity point in the second period to make it 2-2, but remained behind on criteria. Perhaps learning a lesson from the first period, he chose to remain standing instead of taking another shot at par terre.

In the end, he could not break down the defenses of Ganizade, who gained a third point when Ghanem unsuccessfully challenged for what he claimed was a grabbed singlet.

In the 82kg final, Geraei was not to be denied in his first chance at world gold, as he stormed to a 9-0 victory over a shell-shocked Erik SZILVASSY (HUN).

"After eight years, I finally got to experience the world finals," Geraei said. "I’m truly happy from the bottom of my heart because I could make my fans and family happy, especially my dear wife 
who stood by me in tough times and understood me, as well as my parents and all my fans.

"I'm grateful to them; they have always been there for me and supported me, and I dedicate this medal to them."

Geraei, normally a 77kg wrestler who was competing at the heaviest weight of his career, encountered no problems handling the extra bulk against Szilvassy, a winner of international tournaments this year in Zagreb and Budapest.

After a quick stepout, Geraei stopped an attempted throw by Szilvassy for a takedown, then transitioned immediately to a gut wrench. An unsuccessful challenge by the Hungary side padded Geraei's lead to 6-0 just a minute into the match.

Geraei, who finished fifth at the Tokyo Olympics but missed the Paris Games due to a suspension, then completed a snap-down, go-behind takedown to finish the match in 1:35 and add the world gold to the bronzes he won at 71kg in 2017 and at 77kg in 2019 and 2021.

"I thought this competition would be really tough, but thank God it ended up being easy," Geraei said. "These past two or three years have been difficult for me, and due to certain circumstances, I couldn't participate in the Olympics and missed out on it. But I hope with this medal I won, I can pave my way to the [next] Olympics and achieve the best medal and my dream."

Serbia's Arsalan takes bronze in 30-point thriller

In the bronze-medal matches, Iranian-born Ali ARSALAN (SRB) picked up his third straight world medal, and he certainly earned it when he rallied to a wild 16-14 win over Hayk MELIKYAN (ARM) at 72kg.

In a thriller filled with big throws and slick counters, Arsalan fell behind 10-5 in the first period. But the 2021 world champion came back in the second with a pair of 4-pointers, the second with 12 seconds to go that was enough for the victory even after Melikyan reversed him for 2.

The other 72kg match was not as high-scoring but was just as entertaining, as Otar ABULADZE (GEO) connected on a pair of 4-point headlock hip throws to defeat Asian bronze medalist Ji LENG (CHN) 9-5 for his first major medal since winning a world cadet bronze in 2017.

Two-time European bronze medalist Denis MIHAI (ROU) added a world bronze by holding on to defeat Haifeng ZHANG (CHN) 8-5 at 55kg. Mihai scored two stepouts and two rolls from par terre for a 7-0 lead, then survived a second-period surge from the Chinese.

Emin SEFERSHAEV (AIN), a silver medalist in 2021, picked up the other 55kg bronze after scoring six points in the first period and holding on for a 7-5 victory over European bronze medalist Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM).

At 63kg, Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) sent Abu AMAEV (BUL) flying all over the mat before he knew what hit him, throwing him four times with a front headlock for an 8-0 victory in 30 seconds. A challenge negated one throw but revised two others to 4-pointers to produce the same result.

Aslanyan, who defeated reigning champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) and newly crowned world U23 champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) before losing to Mammadli in the semifinals, had seen little international action since placing ninth at 67kg at the Tokyo Olympics. But now he has a world bronze to go with three European ones he won from 2018 to 2020.

Sadyk LALAEV (AIN), a European bronze medalist at 60kg, took home the other 63kg bronze without a fight as Stefan CLEMENT (FRA) was forced to default due to injury.

At 82kg, Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR) prevented Azerbaijan from medaling in every weight class, denying two-time European U23 champion Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) a senior world bronze with a solid 8-1 victory.

Yilmaz, who normally competes at 77kg, started off with three stepouts before clinching the deal with a classic 4-point throw from par terre for his first major medal on any level.

European bronze medalist Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) gave Japanese teenager and senior Asian champion Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) a lesson on the big stage, rolling to a 10-2 victory for the other 82kg bronze.

Yoshida, the 2023 world U17 champion, got an opening takedown, but could offer little resistance when Bolkvadze got behind for a takedown and added a gut wrench. The Georgian then used an arm drag for another takedown, and two gut wrenches ended the match at 2:40.

Greco-Roman Results

55kg (16 entries)
GOLD: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Poya DAD MARZ (IRI), 1-1

BRONZE: Denis MIHAI (ROU) df. Haifeng ZHANG (CHN), 8-5
BRONZE: Emin SEFERSHAEV (AIN) df. Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 7-5

63kg (21 entries)
GOLD: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df. Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ), 6-1

BRONZE: Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) df. Abu AMAEV (BUL) by TF, 8-0, :30
BRONZE: Sadyk LALAEV (AIN) df. Stefan CLEMENT (FRA) by Inj. Def.

72kg (28 entries)
GOLD: Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) df. Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA), 3-2

BRONZE: Ali ARSALAN (SRB) df. Hayk MELIKYAN (ARM), 16-14
BRONZE: Otar ABULADZE (GEO) df. Ji LENG (CHN), 9-5

82kg (28 entries)
GOLD: Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) df. Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) by TF, 8-0, 1:35

BRONZE: Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR) df. Gurban GURBANOV (AZE), 8-1
BRONZE: Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) by TF, 10-2, 2:40