#Grappling

Poland Steals Grappling Team Title from Russia

Monday, June 1, 2026 - 05:12 By Vinay Siwach

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YEREVAN, Armenia (May 28) -- Led by former world medalist Justyna SITKO (POL), Poland pipped Russia by a point to win the the women's Grappling team title at the European Championships in Yerevan, Armenia.

In five weight classes in action, Poland and Russia both won two golds but the former had better results in the weight classes it did not win the gold to score 89 points to Russia's 88 points. The fifth gold went to Spain as world champion Carlota PRENDES (ESP) won at 53kg.

Sitko, in a round-robin bracket with four other grapplers, began with a 9-2 victory over Kseniia BUSHKOVA (RUS) before submitting Sara BORTOLAMIOL (ITA) in Round 2. A 7-3 win over Vlada BOIAKHCHIEVA (RUS) and then a submission of compatriot Maja SALAMON (POL) sealed the gold medal for Sitko at 90kg.

The second gold medal for Poland was won by Martyna KAPUSCINSKA (POL) at 71kg after she secured a victory by decision over Snezhana MORAR (UKR) in the final.

Until the last two weight classes, Russia on a rampage. After dominating through the rounds, Olesia ZHURAVLEVA (RUS) met world champion Daria BRZOZOWSKA (POL) in the semifinals and won 2-1. She defeated Emma ROSINI (ITA), 6-2, in the final to win the 58kg gold medal.

Soon after, Alsu IANSHINA (RUS) worked on a submission on Liudmyla TSALAI (UKR) in the 64kg to win in just over four minutes and claim the second gold medal for Russia.

Carlota PRENDES (ESP)World champion Carlota PRENDES (ESP) is now a European champion as well. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman) 

At 53kg, Prendes once again dominated on the mat, winning yet another gold medal in a United World Wrestling competition. Her loss came in 2023 but since then, she has won four world titles, two each in Grappling and Grappling Gi.

At the European Championships, she won all four of her bouts via submission including a 51-second submission from Giulia ANGIOLINI (ITA) in the final.

Russia Wins Six Golds

In men's Grappling at the European Championships, Russia dominated its way to the team title. It scored 190 points and won six gold medals to finish at the top. Poland was second with 121 points while Spain was third with 86 points.

The Russian team with a mix of experience of youth, ran through its opposition especially two teenagers Shamil GUSEINOV (RUS) at 71kg and Aleksandr KARPENKOV (RUS) at 77kg, both winning gold.

But the gold rush began at 62kg, when Ruslan RADZHABKHANOV (RUS) won gold with a 3-0 decision over compatriot Igor KUZURGASHEV (RUS) in the final. In a low-scoring final, Radzhabkhanov controlled the bout for the entirety of the match.

At 66kg, Magomed SHAKHBANOV (RUS) was up against Yurii CHERKALIUK (UKR) in the final and after getting three points for Cherkaliuk's passivities, Shakhbanov scored a takedown for two points before being awarded three points for control in his 8-0 victory.

Guseinov was facing former world champion Iker CAMARA (ESP) in the final and rocked the arena with a 46-second fall over the Spaniard. He used a front headlock to secure the fall and claim the gold medal at 71kg.

Karpenkov at 77kg had to fight it out against Gazimagomed GAZIEV (RUS) in the final. He opened a 3-0 lead but was penalised twice for stalling as Gaziev closed the gap to 3-2. But as the clock expired, Gaziev challenged for control points but lost it which gave two more points to Karpenkov as he won 5-2.

World champion Mukamed URUSOV (RUS) gave no chance to Aleksandre TEVZADZE (GEO), winning the 100kg final 7-0 with ease. He scored three pushouts in standing to lead 3-0 before score two control takedowns to earn four points and the victory.

A world champion in Grappling Gi, Bilal KURBABAGAMAEV (RUS) earned the title of European champion at 130kg in Grappling after winning gold in Yerevan. After running through the Nordic bracket, he got a walkover from Eldar RAFIGAEV (MDA) in the final.

The remaining three golds were shared by Poland and host Armenia. Former European champion Mateusz MAZUR (POL) won the 92kg title with a 5-2 victory over Alibek SULEIMANOV (RUS) while Sebastian PATYK (POL) won 6-0 against Davud MAGOMEDOV (RUS) in the 84kg weight class.

Armenia's golden grappler was Razmik MISAKYAN (ARM) who held on for a tight 2-0 win over Alejandro REYES RODRIGUEZE (ESP) in the 58kg final.

RESULTS

Men's Grappling

58kg
GOLD: Razmik MISAKYAN (ARM) df. Alejandro REYES RODRIGUEZE (ESP), 2-0

BRONZE: Jakub BARDEN (POL) df. Zakhar DREMLIUHA (UKR), 6-5

62kg
GOLD: Ruslan RADZHABKHANOV (RUS) df. Igor KUZURGASHEV (RUS), 3-0

BRONZE: Mateusz HALAS (POL) df. Andrii TSVYK (UKR), 6-3
BRONZE: Loris ZANOLINI (ITA) df. Dmytro BARANOV (UKR), via submission (7-2)

66kg
GOLD: Magomed SHAKHBANOV (RUS) df. Yurii CHERKALIUK (UKR), 8-0

BRONZE: Mykhailo KAZYMERCHUK (UKR) df. Narek AYVAZYAN (ARM), via decision
BRONZE: Magomed KHIRAMAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Maximilian REIFF (GER), via submission

71kg
GOLD: Shamil GUSEINOV (RUS) df. Iker CAMARA DOMINGUEZ (ESP), via submission (0-0)

BRONZE: Dzhimsher RAZMADZE (GEO) df. Avelino SANTOS RODRIGUEZ (ESP), via submission (5-3)
BRONZE: Kurban KADIEV (RUS) df. Artur GHERGHILINIC (MDA), 4-0

77kg
GOLD: Aleksandr KARPENKOV (RUS) df. Gazimagomed GAZIEV (RUS), 5-2

BRONZE: Jakub NAJDEK (POL) df. Illia SUKHODIEIEV (UKR), 5-2
BRONZE: Ouassim ADREUACH IDRISSI (ESP) df. Nahapet EKIZYAN (ARM), 7-4

84kg
GOLD: Sebastian PATYK (POL) df. Davud MAGOMEDOV (RUS), 6-0

BRONZE: Cristian TUGULEA (MDA) df. Suren KHURDAYAN (ARM), via submission
BRONZE: Christian FRILLICI (ITA) df. Roger DOMINGUEZ LOPEZ (ESP), 2-1

92kg
GOLD: Mateusz MAZUR (POL) df. Alibek SULEIMANOV (RUS), 5-2

BRONZE: Muslim MALSAGOV (RUS) df. Amirani SVIMONISHVILI (GEO), 8-0
BRONZE: Pablo ESTEPA NIETO (ESP) df. Joris ROOKHUIJZEN (NED), 4-2

100kg
GOLD: Mukhamed URUSOV (RUS) df. Aleksandre TEVZADZE (GEO), 7-0

BRONZE: Antonio SALTUPS CARETTO (ITA) df. Misha DILANYAN (ARM), via submission (6-0)

130kg
GOLD: Bilal KURBABAGAMAEV (RUS) df. Eldar RAFIGAEV (MDA), via decision

BRONZE: Aleksander KOLDOVSKI (UKR) df. Liviu MALUDA (MDA), 5-3

Women's Grappling

53kg
GOLD: Carlota PRENDES LARIOS (ESP) df. Giulia ANGIOLINI (ITA), via submission (2-0)

BRONZE: Natalia JAKUBOWICZ (POL) df. Sylwia WELC (POL), via submission (7-0)
BRONZE: Viktoriia ISAIEVA (UKR) df. Evelina FLORIAK (UKR), via submission (6-2)

58kg
GOLD: Olesia ZHURAVLEVA (RUS) df. Emma ROSINI (ITA), 6-2

BRONZE: Daria BRZOZOWSKA (POL) df. Alicja STYPULKOWSKA (POL), via submission (10-0)

64kg
GOLD: Alsu IANSHINA (RUS) df. Liudmyla TSALAI (UKR), via submission (5-1)

BRONZE: Raluca ROSCA (ITA) df. Mendy MACATIS (GER), 6-2

71kg
GOLD: Martyna KAPUSCINSKA (POL) df. Snezhana MORAR (UKR), via decision

BRONZE: Anna REMNEVA (RUS) df. Valentina PAVLOVA (RUS), 3-2

90kg
GOLD: Justyna SITKO (POL)
SILVER: Maja SALAMON (POL)
BRONZE: Vlada BOIAKHCHIEVA (RUS)

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar Open Day 4 Freestyle: Results & Highlights

Sunday, June 7, 2026 - 03:21 By Vinay Siwach

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (June 7) -- Freestyle day at Ulaanbaatar Open with seven weight class. World champions Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and Chongsong HAN (PRK) are in action at 65kg and 57kg respectively.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

14:20: 65kg semifinal - Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) has unreal pace and Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) has no answers for it. The world champion enters the 65kg final after a win over the Kazakhstan wrestler. Amouzad led 3-0 and then scored a stepout before Askarov also got a stepout to make it 4-1. Amouzad managed another before scoring a takedown to lead 7-1 at the break. He starts the second period with a takedown as well and then needs a stepout and go-behind to finish the bout 12-1.

14:07: 61kg semifinal - In a match that saw the lead switch hands on several occasions, Assyl AITAKYN (KAZ) scores a late takedown to  beat Batnasan GANKHULEG (MGL), 3-2, and reach the 61kg final

14:07: 125kg semifinal - DINESH (IND) breaks Timur KOTAEV (RUS) in the 125kg semifinal and scored easy go-behind takedowns for a 11-0 victory in 3:13

14:00: 125kg semifinal - Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) with a late takedown to beat Jose DIAZ (VEN) 2-2 on criteria. Diaz had two activity points but Kassimbek's takedown takes the upper hand in the score

13:58: 61kg semifinal - DEEPAK (IND) in the 61kg final after a 7-1 victory over Adilet ALMUKHAMEDOV (KAZ). Deepak with relentless pressure to score his takedowns while Almukhamedov could never break through

13:51: 97kg semifinal - Demchigdorj TUMURBAATAR (MGL) hangs on for a 2-1 win over TUXIGE (CHN) at 97kg. He will face Takhir KHANIEV (RUS) for the gold medal

13:48: 65kg semifinal - Shamil MAMEDOV (BUL) took his time but comes alive in the second period, finishing his semifinal 12-1 against Ossimzhan DASTANBEK (KAZ) at 65kg. He led 4-1 at the break but scores eight points in the second period to win 45 seconds after the break

13:47: 97kg semifinal - Takhir KHANIEV (RUS) scores a takedown and four turns using the gut-wrench to finish off his semifinal in 53 seconds against VICKY (IND) and advance to the final.

13:44: 79kg semifinal - Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) with a 13-2 victory over Shamsat TAIR (KAZ). Tair scored the first takedown but Yousefi with a takdown and turn to lead. Tair gives up a stepout and fleeing caution as Yousefi leads 7-2. A takedown later, he makes it 9-2 before finishing the bout with a techncial superiority win.

13:43: 70kg semifinal - Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) holds on to a 2-0 win over Magomed ELTEMIROV ((RUS) after the Russian was called passive two times in the bout. Both passivity calls gave Tumur Ochir gave one point each.

13:40: 57kg semifinal - Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (RUS) uses the leg lace to build a 6-0 lead before finishing his 57kg semifinal with a 12-1 victory over Abzal OKENOV (KAZ) with the lace in the second sequence.

13:33: 57kg semifinal - World champion Chongsong HAN (PRK) advances to the final at 57kg after a 4-1 win over Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ). A stepout and activity point gave Han two points but he lost a challenge. He added a takedown in the second period to lead 4-1, the winning score.

13:31: 70kg semifinal - Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ) dominates his 70kg semifinal against Usukhbayar BAATARKHUU (MGL) and posts a 10-0 win. Kakharov never looked in trouble against the Mongolian

13:30: 79kg semifinal - Barring a four-pointer from Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) which extended the bout, Ismail KHANIEV (RUS) dominated his semifinal to complete a 14-4 victory and advance to the final.

Semifinals on all three mats with three different weight classes

13:15: Last match of the qualification rounds and Assyl AITAKYN (KAZ) hangs on for a 3-2 win over Ahora KHATERI (IRI) at 61kg. He score two activity points and a stepout while Khateri scored a takedown 

12:30: World Champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) keeps it simple in his first bout of the tournament with a 5-0 controlled win over Kwang Jin KIM (PRK). Kim had not idea how to break those underhooks. Amouzad into the 65kg semifinals.

12:15: Cross WASILEWSKI (USA) with two takedowns at the end against Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) to make it 5-4 but he cannot score a point needed for the win and Tumur Ochir advance to the semifinals at 70kg with the narrow win 

12:05: Shamil MAMEDOV (BUL) looks in great form at 65kg as he now beats Christopher COMPOSTO (USA), 10-0. He scores a takedown and gut-wrench to go 4-0 up. He then gets an easy go-behind for a 6-0 lead. Composto tries a fake but Mamedov counters with a takedown and exposure to win.

11:50: The Khaniev brothers -- Ismail and Takhir -- begin with contrasting victories at 79kg and 97kg respectively. Takhir goes first at 97kg and scores a 2-0 win over Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) with no action points. However, Ismail is scores multiple different takedowns to complete an 11-0 win over Khangaibayar GANBOLD (MGL) at 79kg 

11:30: Magomed ELTEMIROV (RUS) starts off with a 10-0 victory over Zandanbat BATSAIKHAN (MGL) at 70kg. He scores an easy takedown and then turns the Mongolia using gut-wrench and lace to complete the victory.

11:15: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) lost the Asian Championships final to ABHIMANYOU (IND) at 70kg. But he avenges that loss with a 9-0 victory over the Indian on Sunday. Tumur Ochir with total control of the bout while Abhimanyou looked tired.

11:05: Shamil MAMEDOV (BUL) steps on the mat at 65kg against MOHIT (IND). He lifts and slams Mohit for a four-pointer before finishing the bout 10-0. Mamedov is on the way to clash with world champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) if both do not suffer an upset

10:55: European silver medalist Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (RUS) scores six points and then holds on to his 6-2 lead throughout to beat Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ) at 57kg.

10:45: World champion Chongsong HAN (PRK) needed his strong leg lace to survive a scare in the opening round at 57kg against Aiaal BELOLYUBSKII (TJK). Han and Belolyubskii exchanged a few scrambles but the former led 10-8 when he unleashed the leg lace to complete an 18-8 win at 57kg. 

10:30: The fourth day of the Ulaanbaatar Open will feature 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 97kg, and 125kg.