Returning medalists rule day one at U23 Europeans

Monday, March 13, 2023 - 16:57 By Vinay Siwach

BUCHAREST, Romania (March 13) -- All five returning medalists who were in action on day one of the U23 European Championships made it to their respective finals in Bucharest, Romania.

Giorgi SHOTADZE (GEO) and Khasay HASANLI (AZE) earned a shot at winning their second straight gold medals while Denis MIHAI (ROU), Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) and Giorgi TSOPURASHVILI (GEO) have a chance to improve their previous medals to gold.

The U23 European Championships got underway in the Romanian capital with five Greco-Roman weight classes and not many surprises.

Defending champion at 63kg Shotadze entered the final after a clinical performance. He began the day with a 9-0 win over Mairbek SALIMOV (POL) before the semifinal against Ismail CULFA (TUR).

Shotadze gave up passivity in the first period but defended the par terre position. He tried to body lock Culfa who answered with a head pinch. However, both wrestlers failed in their respective moves and Shotadze fell on top of Culfa, earning four points.

With less than a minute remaining in the bout, Culfa got a go behind to cut the lead to 4-3. He tried a front headlock but gave up two points on exposure, enough for Shotadze to win 6-3.

Shotadze will face Tino OJALA (FIN) for the gold medal as the latter became just the fourth wrestler from his country to reach the final at U23 Europeans.

Ojala won his first bout 9-0 and escaped Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) 6-6 in the quarterfinals. He was in trouble in the semifinal against Andrii SEMENCHUK (UKR) after conceding the par terre and a turn. But he managed a near-perfect throw from par terre and a turn to lead 7-3. Semenchuk tried an arm spin that fetched him two points but could not stop Ojala from winning 7-5.

Defending champion at 77kg Khasay HASANLI (AZE) reached the final with a 5-1 win over Mykyta POLITAIEV (UKR). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 77kg, Hasanli amassed 19 points in his first two bouts before wrestling Mykyta POLITAIEV (UKR) in the semifinal. He came out on top 5-1. In the final, he will take on U23 world silver medalist Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) who also had a dominating day in the office.

In the semifinal, Gutu defeated U20 world champion Deni NAKAEV (GER) 7-1 using three gut wrenches from par terre after getting the advantage in the first period. Nakaev failed to capitalize on the same in the second period.

Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) used his big throws to great effect and reached the 87kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Bisultanov clearly was the most dominant wrestler of the day as he entered the final without giving up a point in three bouts. In the semifinal, he faced Gabriel LUPASCO (MDA) and won 9-0, extending his overall score to 24-0.

He used an arm throw for the first takedown before using the same to get four points. He ended the bout with a gut wrench. Lupasco challenged the call for four points on the second throw but lost.

Bisultanov, who won a silver medal last year, will face David LOSONCZI (HUN) in the final after the Hungary wrestler defeated Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR) 7-3.

Istvan TAKACS (HUN) denied Bisultanov the gold medal last year and now it will be upon world bronze Losonczi to repeat against the world silver medalist.

Denis MIHAI (ROU) reached the 55kg final in front of his home crowd in Bucharest. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 55kg, Mihai will get yet another chance to win his first championships gold medal. He finished with a bronze medal last year but defeated Eduard STRILCHUK (UKR) 3-0 in the semifinals on Monday.

Mihai has wrestled at 13 World or European Championships in different age groups and reached the final twice. Monday marked his third entry into a final in which he will face Karapet MANVELYAN (ARM).

In a close semifinal, Manvelyan defeated Muhammet CAKIR (TUR) 1-1 after the two wrestlers traded passivities in the bout.

Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) reached the 130kg final after beating Muhammet BAKIR (TUR). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The final gold medal bout on Tuesday will see Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) take on Giorgi Tsopurashvili at 130kg.

U20 world champion Vyshnyvetskyi pinned Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) in the semifinal, his second pin of the day, to earn his spot in his first U23 European final.

Bakir got a turn from par terre to lead 3-0 in the first period but Vyshnyvetskyi scored a four-pointer using a front lock from par terre to lead 5-3. Bakir challenged the call which revealed that the move was dangerous and points were removed.

However, as Bakir got tired, Vyshnyvetskyi got him into a bear hug and launched a four-pointer. Bakir tried a desperate body throw but failed and Vyshnyvetskyi sat on him to get the fall with a minute remaining in the bout.

Tsopurashvili had a one-sided semifinal as he beat Albert VARDANYAN (ARM) 5-0 to set up the final against the Ukraine wrestler.

Bronze medalist from last year, Tsopurashvili used a big arm throw and a stepout early in the bout to claim the victory over Vardanyan. While he has already upgraded his bronze from last year, the Georgian will have a chance to claim the gold medal.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Denis MIHAI (ROU) vs. Karapet MANVELYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Karapet MANVELYAN (ARM) df. Muhammet CAKIR (TUR), 1-1
SF 2: Denis MIHAI (ROU) df. Eduard STRILCHUK (UKR), 3-0

63kg
GOLD: Tino OJALA (FIN) vs. Giorgi SHOTADZE (GEO)

SF 1: Tino OJALA (FIN) df. Andrii SEMENCHUK (UKR), 7-5
SF 2: Giorgi SHOTADZE (GEO) df. Ismail CULFA (TUR), 6-3

77kg
GOLD: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) vs. Khasay HASANLI (AZE)

SF 1: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df. Deni NAKAEV (GER), 7-1
SF 2: Khasay HASANLI (AZE) df. Mykyta POLITAIEV (UKR), 5-1

87kg
GOLD: David LOSONCZI (HUN) vs. Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN)

SF 1: David LOSONCZI (HUN) df. Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR), 7-3
SF 2: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) df. Gabriel LUPASCO (MDA), 9-0

130kg
GOLD: Giorgi TSOPURASHVILI (GEO) vs. Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR)

SF 1: Giorgi TSOPURASHVILI (GEO) df. Albert VARDANYAN (ARM), 6-0
SF 2: Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) df. Muhammet BAKIR (TUR), 7-3

#WrestleTirana

Turkiye rejoices with Bakir gold, team title; Gutu ends Worlds gold drought

Sunday, October 29, 2023 - 23:00 By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (October 29) — There certainly could not be one more loss for Turkiye in the finals. After three losses on Saturday, as the law of averages, Turkiye had to win one Greco-Roman gold medal at the U23 World Championships.

But with just over a minute left and returning silver medalist Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) leading 3-3 on criteria, it seemed to be turning out to be another heartbreak for Turkiye.

That’s when Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) turned things around, quite literally.

Turning 130kg+ wrestlers from par terre in the final minute is superhuman stuff. But then, wrestlers are that. Bakir got the par terre advantage, thanks to a third passivity in the final. He would smartly move his grip towards Vyshnyvetskyi’s waist, the limit allowed in Greco-Roman, instead of a grip on his chest. Defending the gut-wrench needs unreal strength, but when the grip is on the waist, it’s close to impossible. A tired Vyshnyvetskyi’s was turned and so was the mood in the Turkish camp.

After Saturday’s gloom, Turkiye finally claimed a gold medal in Greco-Roman, also winning the team title with 121 points, 28 points more than second-placed Azerbaijan. Georgia was third with 78kg, one more than Armenia.

Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) celebrates after winning the 130kg gold medal in Tirana. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The furious Turkish coach, who had to be escorted off mat after Mustafa OLGUN (TUR) lost the 97kg 4-3 Saturday, was in a saner mood as well. Emotions ran high after Mert ILBARS (TUR), Alperen BERBER (TUR) and Olgun lost and he came on the mat to express his displeasure. On Sunday, he would simply clap to celebrate win.

For Vyshnyvetskyi, that is a second straight U23 world finals loss to a Turkish wrestler. Fatih BOZKURT (TUR) had defeated him 9-1 last year. Though he did not suffer a technical fall this year, the Ukrainian will reflect on this loss more critically.

Bakir now has world title at three age groups with the senior level the one left. Wrestling at his first World Championships since the 2021 U20 one, which he won, Bakir was on a roll in Tirana. He opened the tournament with a win over Mikhail LAPTAEV (AIN) 4-0, thrashed Assylbek ZHANIBEKULY (KAZ) 9-0 in quarterfinals and defeated Razmik KURDYAN (ARM) 4-2 in the semifinal.

He was a off to a great start in the final as well, turning Vyshnyvetsjyi from par terre in the first period. But he gave up a takedown in the second period. His passivity added another point to the Ukrainian’s score and gave him a 3-3 lead.

That was until his magical turnaround when awarded the third passivity which only offers par terre advantage and not a point. He defended his 5-3 lead for the 22 seconds left on the clock and claimed the gold.

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) celebrates with his coach after winning the 77kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Gutu golden after 5 years

“Nothing is impossible.”

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) was a relieved man. He said after clinching his first gold medal at a World Championships after years. In between, it was increasing looking impossible.

Since winning the U17 World Championships and the Youth Olympic Games in 2018, Gutu has reached the final of the World Championships once — 2022 U23 World Championships.

After putting behind the ghosts of all those losses, Gutu managed to end the drought by winning the 77kg gold medal at the U23 World Championships on Sunday. He defeated Khasay HASANLI (AZE) 3-1 in the gold-medal bout.

“ I’ve been working hard for this medal for so long, not only this year,” Gutu said. “Only last year I could make it to the final, before that it’s been a long time that I couldn’t even qualify for the final.”

In the seven World Championships at different levels since 2018, Gutu has one silver and three bronze medals. He is yet to medal at the senior level with his best finishing being eighth in Belgrade this year.

But Gutu has been taking long strides in the sport. He won the U23 European Championships this year and was fifth at the senior continental event.

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) scored a takedown after Khasay HASANLI (AZE) failed to score from this position. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Wrestling Hasanli in the final on Sunday was a rematch of the U23 Euros from March which Gutu won 6-3. The one in Tirana was a little similar as Gutu, after leading 1-1 on criteria, was called passive.

As Hasanli got the par terre advantage on the third passivity, he tried throwing Gutu who landed on his feet and scored a takedown. Hasanli had little chances of coming back from there.

“Last year I couldn’t win the gold medal, because I had a knee injury and I couldn’t wrestle in my full potential,” he said. “This year I’ve had a really good training camp together with my coaches and training partners.

“We wrestled each other in the [U23] European final. We showed a really good match then and here as well. I am thankful to him for this match.”

With that load off his back, Gutu has a new challenge waiting for him next. After failing to earn an Olympic quota for Moldova, he will have to try and earn it at the European Olympic Qualifiers next year.

“I have big plans for this sport,” he said. “I am not gonna stop. My dream is the Olympic gold. I will follow it util I win it. I will first need to win the national championships and then I am ready to train day and night to get the Olympic quota. Nothing is impossible.”

Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO) completes a throw to win 9-0 against Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ) in the 55kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Returning bronze medalist Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO) earned the gold medal at 55kg in Tirana after beating Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ) 9-0 in the final in just 38 seconds.

Kurbayev was hoping to win a second gold medal for Kazakhstan in two days after Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ) became the country’s first-ever U23 world champion on Saturday. But Tokhadze was not allowing any of that.

He got his first four-pointer over Kurbayev 15 seconds into the final. Kazakhstan corner decided to challenge the four but lost, adding one more point to Tokhadze’s score. Using double overhook, Tokhadze threw Kurbayev once again to claim a 9-0 win.

Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN) won the 87kg gold medal over Matej MANDIC (CRO). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 87kg, Matej MANDIC (CRO) became the fifth wrestler from Croatia to reach the Greco-Roman final at U23 World Championships and finishing with a silver medal, prolonging the country’s wait for a world champion.

Mandic seemed to have competed well for the initial period in the final but Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN) build a 9-4 lead before a desperate attempt from Mandic saw him fall on his back and Murtazaliev used that opportunity to pin Mandic.

At 63kg, Rakhman TAVMURZAEV (AIN) was crowned as the champion as he defeated Hleb MAKARANKA (AIN), 6-1, in the final.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO) df. Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ), 9-0

BRONZE: Farid SADIKHLI (AZE) df. Denis MIHAI (ROU), 10-0
BRONZE: Adem UZUN (TUR) df. Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 10-0

63kg
GOLD: Rakhman TAVMURZAEV (AIN) df. Hleb MAKARANKA (AIN), 6-1

BRONZE: Chiezo MARUYAMA (JPN) df. Yurik HOVEYAN (ARM), 2-1
BRONZE: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) df. PRAVESH (UWW), 9-0

77kg
GOLD: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df. Khasay HASANLI (AZE), 3-1

BRONZE: Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) df. Aleksa ILIC (SRB), 8-0
BRONZE: Khvicha ANANIDZE (GEO) df. Attila TOESMAGI (HUN), 3-1

87kg
GOLD: Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN) df. Matej MANDIC (CRO), via fall (13-4)

BRONZE: Istvan TAKACS (HUN) df. Exauce MUKUBU (NOR), 2-1
BRONZE: Szymon SZYMONOWICZ (POL) df. Waltteri LATVALA (FIN), 9-0

130kg
GOLD: Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) df. Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR), 5-3

BRONZE: Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Apostolos TSIOVOLOS (GRE), 10-0
BRONZE: Mikhail LAPTEV (AIN) df. Razmik KURDYAN (ARM), 7-1

Returning medalists rule day one at U23 Europeans

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Turkiye rejoices with Bakir gold, team title; Gutu ends Worlds gold drought