#kaspeuro2018

PREVIEW: 2018 Euro C'Ships

Saturday, April 28, 2018 - 13:25 By Eric Olanowski

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KASPIISK, Russia (April 28) -  Steered by Olympic champions Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) and Roman VLASOV (RUS), the Greco-Roman field at the European Championships is littered with Olympic medalists and returning world champions. Five of the six defending world champions will take to the mat on the opening days at the Palace of Sport and Youth for the 2018 European Championships in Dagestan, Russia. 

Artur “The White Bear,” Aleksanyan will be seeking to repeat as champion with hopes of winning his fourth European title. Aleksanyan has suffered two defeats in the past five seasons, both coming at the European Championships. The Armenian last won a European title in 2014 but has won three world titles and an Olympic gold medal during his continental lull.

2017 world champion, Viktor NEMES (SRB). 

The four-time world and Olympic champion Roman Vlasov will compete at 77kg, joining 2017 world medalists Viktor NEMES (SRB), Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) and Elvin MURSALIYEV (AZE). 

Nemes has a world title on his resume but has yet to win a European gold medal. His best finish came in 2015 when he lost to Elvin Mursaliyev in the finals, 5-1. 

Other returning champions that’ll make the trek to Dagestan include Tarek MOHAMED (BUL), Riza KAYAALP (TUR), Balint KORPASI (HUN), Viktor LORINCZ (HUN), and Artem SURKOV (RUS).

2017 world champion, Metehan BASAR (TUR).

Of those returning champions looking to uphold their crown, Mohamed will have the toughest road. To defend, he’ll have to knock off reigning world champion Metehan BASAR (TUR) and Rio bronze medalist Denis KUDLA (GER). 

Riza KAYAALP (TUR) returns to action next week in Dagestan -- the Rio Olympic silver medalist and three-time world champion hasn’t lost a match at Europeans since 2011. He’ll be looking for his eighth European title, but will have to outdo last year’s runner-up Balint LAM (HUN) and 2018 Yarygin champion, Muradin KUSHKHOV (RUS).

2017 world champion, Yasmin ADAR (TUR).

Women's Wrestling 
Returning world and European champions, Yasemin ADAR (TUR) and Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) lead a strong women’s contingent into Kaspiysk, with seven of eight defending champions taking the mats. 

Defending champion Adar leads leads the way in the 75kg bracket, in what could be the most fascinating bracket. Depending on how the action wraps up on the first day of women’s wrestling, Adar could see Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR), which would be a rematch of the 2017 world finals that Adar took, 6-5.

Also expected to be in the mix at 75kg is two-time world medalist Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS), 2017 world silver medalist at 69kg, Aline FOCKEN (GER) and world bronze medalist, Epp MAE (EST).

Seven-time European champion, Mariya STADNIK (AZE).

Another highly anticipated weight class to pay attention to is 50kg, where Mariya STADNIK (AZE), the Olympic silver medalist will be looking for her eighth European championship. Stadnik has never suffered a defeat at a European Championship, but Emilia VUC (ROU), the world finalist from a year ago will be looking to change that stat. 

The other four reigning champions that’ll be in action are Anastasia BRATCHIKOVA (RUS), Grace BULLEN (NOR), Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) and Monika MICHALIK (POL).

Three-time world and Olympic champion, Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS).

Freestyle 
Headed by a quartet of Olympic gold medalists, Taha AKGUL (TUR), Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO), Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS), and Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE), freestyle returns seven of eight champions from 2017

Three-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist, Haji ALIYEV (AZE), defending champion, Ilias BEKBULATOV (RUS) and the two-time world and Olympic champion, Vladimer Khinchegashvili all take part in what is sure to be a dynamic, action-filled 65kg bracket.

Aliyev will be searching for his first European crown since 2014 while Khinchegashvili and Bekbulatov are on quests to capture back-to-back crowns. 

A victory for Khinchegashvili, who hasn’t lost at a European Championship since 2013, would give the Georgian his fourth title, while Bekbulatov is in pursuit of his second overall.

Four-time European champion, Taha AKGUL (TUR).

Taha AKGUL (TUR) has his sights on winning his fifth European title; but the 2016 Olympic champions will most likely have to upend longtime rival and 2017 world champion, Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO). Akgul and Petriashvili have accounted for every world or Olympic gold medal dating back to 2014, and every European title dating back to 2012. The pair’s 2017 world finals in Paris is considered the greatest freestyle heavyweight wrestling match in history.


2012 Olympic champion, Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE). Photo by Tony Rotundo.

At 92kg it’s Olympic champions in Abdulrashid Sadulaev and Sharif Sharifov vying for top honors. The last time these two met was in the semifinals of the 2016 Olympic Games where Sadualev came out on top with an 8-1 victory. 

Sharifov, the 2012 Olympic champion followed up his London performance with a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Games. 

A victory for Sadulaev, the two-time world champion, and Olympic gold medalist would give the hometown favorite his fourth European Championship.

Two-time world champion, Frank CHAMIZO (ITA).

Other wrestlers looking to defend their titles include Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), Giorgi EDISHERASHVILI (AZE) and Riza YILDIRIM (TUR).

At74kg, the safe medal selections have to be two-time world champion, Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), world and Olympic bronze medalist, Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), and Khetik TSABOLOV (RUS).

Both Chamizo and Demirtas have multiple European titles under their belts, with Italian having a trio of golds and the Turk with a pair of championships. Meanwhile, Khetik TSABOLOV (RUS), 2017 world runner-up has never competed in a European Championship.  

SCHEDULE: 
Sunday - April 29
5:30 PM - Qualification rounds for GR 55kg,63kg, 77kg,87kg, and 130kg

Monday - April 30
11:00 AM - Qualification rounds for GR 55kg,63kg, 77kg,87kg, and 130kg
3:30 PM - Qualification rounds for GR 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg, and 97kg
6:00PM - Semifinals for GR 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg, and 130kg

Tuesday - May 1
11:00 AM - Qualification rounds for GR 60kg,67kg,72kg, 82kg, and 97kg
3:30 PM - Qualification rounds for WW 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg, and 76kg
4:45 PM - Opening Ceremony
5:15 PM - Semifinals for GR 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg, and 97kg 
6:00 PM - Finals for GR 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg, and 130kg

Wednesday - May 2 
11:00 AM -  Qualification rounds for WW 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg, and 76kg
11:00 AM - Repechage for GR 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg, and 97kg
2:00 PM - Qualification round for WW 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg, and 72kg 
5:15 PM - Semifinals for WW 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg, and 76kg 
6:00PM - Finals for GR 

Thursday - May 3 
11:00 AM - Qualification round for WW 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg, and 72kg 
11:00 AM - Repechage for WW 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg, and 76kg
2:00 PM - Qualifications for FS  57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, and 97kg
5:15 PM - Semifinals for WW 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg, and 72kg 
6:00PM - Finals for WW 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg, and 76kg

Friday - May 4 
11:00 AM - Qualifications for FS 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, and 97kg

11:00 AM - Repechage for WW 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg, and 72kg 
2:30 PM - Qualification for FS 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg, and 125 kg
5:15 PM - Semifinals for FS 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, and 97kg
6:00PM - Finals for WW  53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg, and 72kg 

Saturday - May 5 
11:00 AM - Qualification for FS 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg, and 125 kg
11: 00 AM - Repechage for FS 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, and 97kg
5:15 PM -  Semifinals for FS  61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg, and 125 kg
6:00PM - Finals for for FS 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, and 97kg

Sunday - May 6
4:00 PM - Repechage for FS 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg, and 125 kg
6:00PM - Finals for FS 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg, and 125 kg

#WrestleUlaanbaatar, #OffTheMat

Purevdorj reignites Olympic quest with Ulaanbaatar Open gold

Friday, June 20, 2025 - 09:31 By Vinay Siwach

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (June 18) -- The last time Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) wrestled in front of home crowd in Ulaanbaatar, she was one of the top wrestlers in the world at 62kg.

She was the 2017 world champion and a year before that, she had ended Kaori ICHO's (JPN) 13-year long unbeaten streak at the Ivan Yaryguin Grand Prix. Then in 2018, she won the Asian Championships in Bishkek and the Mongolian Open gold medal in Ulaanbaatar.

Few months later, she failed a dope test at the Asian Games, where she had won the gold medal in 62kg. Her rise turned into a fatal fall and Purevdorj was left to serve the four-year ban. During her long hiatus, Purevdorj focused on personal life.

“I was very sad but I decided to just live and raised my son. I kept myself busy with him,” Purevdorj says. “The most important thing is my mind. It's important to be strong.”

Purevdorj, who still remains Mongolia last world champion in wrestling, made her comeback in 2022 and was part of the Mongolian team to the World Cup. She won silver medal at the Asian Championships in 2023 and qualified for the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Seven years since the ban and now in the twilight of her wrestling career, Purevdorj is hoping to reignite the fire to wrestle. She took the first step by winning a gold medal at hte Ulaanbaatar Open. The 31-year-old won in 62kg in front of her family and local fans to once again stamp herself as the best wrestler in Mongolia and even Asia.

"I am wrestling for the second time [first time internationally] this year but it's hard," she says after her gold-medal bout against compatriot and rival Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) who she defeated 11-2 to win the gold medal.

At the Buyant Ukhaa Sport Palace in Ulaanbaatar, Purevdorj is joined by her husband, son and even parents as they watch her wrestle live after a long time. It's not an ideal start for her as she gets hammered 10-0 by Alina KASABIEVA (UWW), a wrestler she has defeated multiple times in her career before.

That's not what Purevdorj or her family expected in the first bout itself. But she runs back to the warm-up hall and prepares for the second bout, this time against Asian champion MANISHA (IND). And Purevdorj looked in form against the Indian, winning via fall. [The 62kg bracket at the Ulaanbaatar Open was a round-robin bracket, hence giving Purevdorj the second chance].

The fall helps Purevdorj get five classification points and a place in the semifinal over Manisha. She will wrestle Ekaterina KOSHKINA (UWW) for a spot in the final. Her son, six years old, keeps cheering every time he sees his mother on the mat.

Koshkina takes Purevdorj to the limits scoring via counters. Still, Purevdorj led 9-7 at the break and both resumed their dynamic wrestling. Purevdorj managed to defend some of the attacks from Koshkina and ultimately won 15-11.

In a high-affair all-Mongolian final at 62kg, Purevdorj put on a defensive masterclass to beat Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), 11-2, and capture the gold medal.

"I was able to win because I played calmly," she said after the final. "In the first match, I was not good mental state and was not ready. But next match I was better."

Purevdorj celebrated with a few photos with her family and coaches. She looked visibly tired after the four bouts and could use some rest days.

"As I said, it's hard. I am not sure about anything," said Purevdorj, who was wrestling a UWW tournament for the first time since the Paris Games.

Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL)Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) celebrating after becoming a world champion in 2017. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Martin Gabor)

When she began wrestling 17 years ago in Ulaanbaatar after her cousins introduced her to the sport, Purevdorj did not think she will reach this level. So being a world champion makes her feel happy and she is proud that she choose this sport.

“I'm seventh child in my family and only I am a wrestler. My cousins were wrestlers but they stopped soon but I never stopped. I really loved it."

But she regrets not having an Olympic medal. She has been on that stage twice but fell short. In Rio 2016, she lost in the repechage while in Paris, she lost to her long-time rival Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) in the bronze-medal bout.

Now, the only motivation to be at the 2028 Los Angeles is to get an Olympic medal which may complete her journey. A medal will make her the third Mongolian wrestler to win a medal in Women's Wresting.

“I'm not sure about wrestling till Los Angeles. But I'm just trying,” she said. “The last Olympics were so hard for me in my career. I'm trying again, and I've started this year. There are many wrestlers in 62kg who are better but I have to train more.”