#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

Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 Day 4: Tazhudinov, Ghasempour lose

Friday, November 21, 2025 - 06:59 By Vinay Siwach

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (November 21) -- The final day at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 will see four Freestyle weight classes in action -- 74kg, 86kg, 97kg and 125kg. Every weight class has a world champion wrestling today.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

12:50: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) drops his semifinal against Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) 15-3. Aitmukhan with three exposure for six points in the second period. Tazhudinov struggled to finish his attacks. We have a Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) vs Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) final.

12:40: World silver medalist Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) with a lace to beat Rifat GIDAK (TUR) 11-0 and enter the final at 97kg.

12:37: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) reaches the 86kg final with an 5-1 win over Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) in the semifinal. Dzhioev will now take on Saipudunov for the gold medal.

12:33: Another Bahrain wrestler in the final as Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) survives an late onslaught from Osman GOCEN (TUR) and wins 8-6 at 86kg. Gocen got a four-pointer which kept him in the match which was otherwise dominated by Saipudinov

12:30: Top match at 74kg semifinal as Younes EMAMI (IRI) holds off Norkhoza KAIPONOV (KAZ) 6-5. Kaiponov was up 4-1 and scored a stepout to make it 5-1. Emami got a stepout to make it 5-2 and a beautiful duckunder to close it to 5-4. He continued the action and used a gut-wrench to make it 6-5 with less than a minute remaining. He defended his lead to enter the final in which he will take on Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE)

12:22: Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) with a takedown in the final 10 seconds to upset Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) who was leading 5-2 till the last 30 seconds. The takedown gave Novruzov a 5-5 criteria lead before Asluev tried to hit exposure. Novruzov got an counter exposure for the 7-5 win. 

12:15: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) is into the 125kg final after a 7-0 blanking of Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR) in the semifinal. Easy win for the world champion

12:11: World silver medalist Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) goes down 7-6 against Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) in the 125kg semifinal. Sharipov scored a four-pointer and led 5-0. But in Meshvildishvili comes back in the second period to make it 6-4 and needed three points for a win. He scored a takedown to make it 6-6 but was down on criteria. In the final 10 seconds, he was close to scoring two times but Sharipov managed to defend. A lost challenge gave him another point.

12:06: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) downs Olympic bronze medalist Mogomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) 12-2 at 97kg. Aitmukhan with a four-pointer and three takedowns in his victory. Solid defense as well whenever Magomedov seemed threatening.

11:55: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) with a cradle to get the fall over Abossolo CEDRIC (CMR) in the second period of his 97kg quarterfinal.

11:50: Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) wins his quarterfinal at 97kg against Muhammad GULZAR (PAK) 11-0 after three rolls from par terre. He will wrestle Rifat GIDAK (TUR) who defeated Oucif HOUSSEM (ALG) 13-2

11:42: After taking out Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI), Arsenii DHZIOEV (AZE) continues his winning run and enters the semifinal at 86kg with an 11-0 victory over Benferdjallah FATEH (ALG)

11:30: Younes EMAMI (IRI) with an strong defensive performance as he beats Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), 5-2, at 74kg. Emami got a point every time he seemed passive in the match.

11:20: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) powers his way to a 10-0 victory over Arslanbek TURDUBEKOV (KGZ) at 125kg. World champion Zare is a strong favorite to win gold here.

11:18: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) stops Shams QURAISHI (AFG) from more upsets but not after an incredible match. Quraishi managed to score 9 points on Asluev before dropping his bout 12-9

11:10: Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) opens his 97kg with an 11-1 technical superiority win over 92kg U20 world champion Sherzod POYONOV (UZB).

11:00: Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) works his incredible underhook and manages an easy 11-0 victory over Iqbal AHMADI (AFG) at 97kg. Azarpira is a world silver medalist from Zagreb.

10:50: Former world 92kg champion Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) makes it look easy rolling to a 10-0 win over Mohamed SALAHELDIN (EGY) at 97kg.

10:45: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) takes out Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) in the opening bout at 86kg. In a bout of two halves, Ghasempour got a takedown and passivity point in opening period before Dzhioev scored a takedown during Ghasempour's activity time to lead 3-3 on criteria with just over a minute left. Ghasempour tried a desperate leg attack at the end only to give a takedown and hand the win to Dzhioev

10:37: Osman GOCEN (TUR) hangs on for a 2-2 criteria win over Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB) at 86kg. It was a scramble in which both wrestlers were awarded two points each with Gocen getting it later and holding the criteria. No points were scored in the second period but both wrestler were involved in scrambles. Gocen manages to hold off and win.

10:33: Haider BUTT (PAK) led 3-0 against Farhad MALIK ZADA (AFG) and on the way to give Afghanistan it's first win of the tournament. However, Malik Zada with a comeback and beats the Pakistan wrestler 8-4 at 86kg.

10:25: Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) took his own time but he manages to beat Khaireddine BEN TLILI (TUN), 11-1, in their 74kg. A four-pointer in the first period for Toktomambetov

10:15: Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), one of the four world champs in action today, starts off with an 11-0 victory over Jafar CHULIBOYEV (UZB) at 74kg. He got a stepout before a takedown and four turns.

10:10: Afghanistan is really having a solid Games for itself. After some impressive wins yesterday and a fifth-place finish, Shams QURAISHI (AFG) gets a fall at 74kg against Omar MOURAD (EGY).

10:00: Last day of the ISG 2025 with four weight classes in Freestyle. Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) vs Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) likely to face in the 97kg.