#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

#WrestleTirana

European Championships Day 2 Greco-Roman Results & Highlights

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 - 06:37 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (April 21) -- The European Championships 2026 enters day two with five Greco-Roman weight classes - 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg and 97kg. All five weight classes have their defending champions in action in Tirana on Tuesday.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | KAYAALP REACHES FINAL

14:27: Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR) ends Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) debut at the European Championships with a 7-1 defeat. Hrushyn, a former silver medalist at 63kg, scored two turns from par terre in the second period to lead 5-1. Zakriev tries some desperate throws but ends up giving a takedown.

14:22: In another rematch of the final from last year, Kiril MILOV (BUL) beats Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER), this year 8-1 to enter the semifinal at 97kg. Milov with two turns from par terre before starting the second period with a takedown and lead 7-1. Germany challenges but that's lost which gave one more point to Milov.

14:20: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) will wrestle for a European medal for the first time. He beats world bronze medalist Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) 4-0 in the 97kg quarterfinals. Given both par terre positions in the match, Sargsian scores step out in first but fails to do much int eh second. He also gets a point for lost challenge from Azerbaijan to win 4-0.

14:11: Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), who began this season with two silver medals at the Ranking Series events, is into the semifinals at 67kg after a 6-1 victory over Dominik ETLINGER (CRO).

14:10: In a rematch of last year's final which Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) won, the defending champion once again beats Abu Muslim AMAEV (BUL), this year in the semifinals. Jafarov got two turns from par terre in the first period to lead 5-0. In the second period, he caught Amaev from behind and pinned him to enter the final

14:00: Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) defends with all might to beat Mihail BRADU (MDA) 5-4 at 82kg as he moves into the semifinals of his title defense. Leading 3-0, he got par terre and used a front head roll exposure for two points but lost control and gave up two points as well. Gurbanov, leading 5-2, challenged the call but lost it. He was then called passive which gave one more point to Bradu but Gurbanov held on for the win. 

13:40: Defending champion at 60kg, Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) makes no mistake in a 5-0 victory over Vladyslav KUZKO (UKR). He did not let Kuzko take any par terre while being active enough to get it twice in the match.

13:30: Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), returning silver medalist, moves into the semifinals with a 9-0 technical superiority win over Denis MIHAI (ROU) at 60kg. All points scored from par terre

13:20: Returning silver medalist at 97kg Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER) gets a turn from par terre and beats Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA), 3-1, after the Italian wrestler failed to score points.

13:05: Anti-climatic between defending champion Kiril MILOV (BUL) and world bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) as Milov wins 10-0 at 97kg. He begins with an arm throw for two points before getting the par terre from which he gets Maskevich in danger. When the referee asks them for neutral, Milov leads 7-0. Maskevich tries a big throw using body lock but Milov blocks him for two points. A lost challenges adds one more point to his score.

12:55: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW), world silver medalist but never won a medal at the European Championships, begins with an explosive 9-0 victory over Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU). He lifts the Lithuanian for a body throw for four before turning him twice for two points for each turn.

12:50: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), defending champion at 67kg, scores two two-point takedown against Jan OEHLEN (SWE) to secure a 5-1 victory and moves into the quarterfinals.

12:48: Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) gets four turns from par terre to beat Andreas VETSCH (SUI), 9-0 and advance to the quarterfinal at 67kg against Murat FIRAT (TUR).  

12:40: Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) continues his good form and gets a win over world champion Sebastian NAD (SRB) at 67kg. Zakriev gets the first par terre but cannot score from there. He gets the par terre in the second period as well, making his lead 2-0, before he hits a throw for four points. Serbia challenge the decision but lose it. A takedown to finish the bout 9-0.

12:20: World bronze medalist Karlo KODRIC (CRO) turns Ruslan ABDIIEV (UKR) once from par terre and then holds the Ukrainian off to win 3-1 to advance at 82kg.

11:45: Defending champion at 82kg Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) needed a big front headlock throw for four to break the 3-3 criteria and beat Svetoslav NIKOLOV (BUL) in his opening bout.

11:25: Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW), a U20 world silver medalist, starts his senior European Championships debut with an clinical 8-0 win over Mateusz SZEWCZUK (POL) at 67kg. Two big four-point throws for Zakriev

11:05: Defending champion Kiril MILOV (BUL) kicks off his 97kg gold medal defense with a dominant 9-0 technical superiority win over Gerard KURNICZAK (POL). Next up is the big match against world bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW).

10:50: Returning silver medalist at 67kg Abu Muslim AMAEV (BUL) keeps it simple in his first bout and beats Andrea SETTI (ITA), 4-0, and advances. 

10:30: Welcome to day two of the European Championships! After a dramatic day one to kick off the tournament, five more Greco weight classes in action in Tirana.