#DanKolov2019

Russia and India Lead Dan Kolov After Day Two

By Eric Olanowski

RUSE, Bulgaria (March 1) – lias BEKBULATOV and Magomed KURBANOV won the 70kg and 92kg Dan Kolov gold medals respectively and gave the Russian Federation (80 points) a 15 point lead over the United States (65 points) heading into the third day of competition at the Monbat Sports Park Arena in Ruse, Bulgaria. 

In the all-Russian 70kg finals, lias Bekbulatov closed out his dominating Dan Kolov performance with a 10-0 win over Anzor ZAKUEV (RUS). In total, Bekbulatov only surrendered two points in his four matches and outscored his opponents 38-2.

Bekbulatov, arguably the best wrestler in the world to never compete at a world championship, scored an inactivity point, followed by a takedown and controlled the 3-0 lead heading into the second period. The 2018 European runner-up stalked Zakuev in the second period and scored seven straight points to close out the match with a 10-0 shutout victory. 

It’s also worth noting, Russia’s Viktor RASSADIN defeated 2016 Rio Olympic fifth-place finisher Frank Aniello MOLINARO (USA), 15-10 in the 70kg bronze-medal bout, giving Russia their third 70kg medal. Russia entered three wrestlers into the 70kg bracket and finished first, second, and third receptivity.

The second Russian gold-medal winner on the day was Magomed KURBANOV (RUS). 

Kurbanov trailed 3-1 after the opening period of the 92kg finals, but ignited in the second and outscored Irakli MTSITURI (GEO) 8-2 in the final frame to pick up the 9-5 victory. 

Meanwhile, the United States, who sits in second place with 65 points, welcomed a champion in Alexander DIERINGER. Dieringer, who also goes by “Ringer,” quickly dismantled Omaraskhab NAZHMUDINOV (ROU), 10-0 in the opening period of the 79kg finals. In the last twelve months, Dieringer, who is the No. 2 79kg American guy behind reigning world champion Kyle DAKE, has won titles at the Alexander Medved Prizes, International Ukrainian Tournament, and the Dan Kolov, while also finishing in third-place at the first Ranking Series event of the season, the Ivan Yariguin. 

The final freestyle gold of the day went to Kazakhstan’s Nurislam SANAYEV. It took just 35 seconds for Sanayev to wrap up Sandeep TOMAR (IND) in the 61kg finals. The reigning 57kg world silver medalist scored an early takedown from a duck under and seamlessly transitioned into four leg laces, ending the match with a 10-0 technical superiority victory.

In women’s wrestling, Pooja DHANDA’s 59kg gold and Sakshi MALIK ‘s 65kg silver gave India (45 points) the ten point lead over Turkey (35 points) after the second day of wrestling in Ruse. 

Dhanda, the 2018 world bronze medalist at 57kg, bumped up to 59kg and went undefeated in the round-robin competition to claim the gold medal. Her teammate Malik, the Rio bronze medalist who upset reigning world champion Petra OLLI to make the 65kg finals, fell to Sweden’s Henna JOHANSSON (SWE), 8-3 in the gold-medal match. Johansson reached the top of the Klippan Lady Open podium last weekend and won her second consecutive tournament when she stopped Malik’s quest for gold today. 

Turkey sits in second place, thanks to fourth-ranked Buse TOSUN’s gold-medal performance at 72kg. In the finals, Tosun broke a 4-4 tie, scoring the match-deciding takedown with 15 seconds left, defeating Alina BEREZHNA STADNIK MAKHYNIA (UKR), 6-4. 
 

The final women’s wrestling gold medal of the day went to Greece’s Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE). The 2018 European bronze medalist controlled the entirety of 55kg gold-medal match with her left side underhook, completely shutting down Kazakhstan’s Marina SEDNEVA, 10-0 to win her first Ranking Series title. 

Wrestling resumes tomorrow in Ruse at 10:00 (local time), with the Day Three finals beginning at 18:00. 
 

For news, highlights, interviews, and behind the scenes clips, make sure you’re following United World Wrestling on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
 

RESULTS 
Freestyle

Team Scores 
GOLD - Russia (80 points)
SILVER - United States (65 points)
BRONZE - Georgia (39 points)
Fourth - Turkey (35 points)
Fifth - Ukraine (33 points)

61kg
GOLD - Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) df. Sandeep TOMAR (IND), 10-0 
BRONZE - Aryian TIUTRIN (RUS) df. Joseph Daniel COLON (USA), 13-3

BRONZE - Volodymyr BURUKOV (UKR) df. Munir Recep AKTAS (TUR), 3-2

70kg 
GOLD - Ilias BEKBULATOV (RUS) df. Anzor ZAKUEV (RUS), 10-0

BRONZE - James GREEN (USA) df. Andriy KVYATKOVSKYY (UKR), via inj. def.  
BRONZE - Viktor RASSADIN (RUS) df. Frank MOLINARO (USA), 15-10

79kg
GOLD - Alexander DIERINGER (USA) df. Omaraskhab NAZHMUDINOV (ROU), 10-0
BRONZE - Atsamaz SANAKOEV (RUS) df. Ender COSKUN (TUR), 4-3 
BRONZE - Nika KENTCHADZE (GEO) df. Muhammet KOTANOGLU (TUR), 5-0 

92kg
GOLD - Magomed KURBANOV (RUS) df. Irakli MTSITURI (GEO), 9-5
BRONZE – Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR) df. Suleyman KARADENIZ (TUR), 7-6  
BRONZE - Michael Justin MACCHIAVELLO (USA) df. Mohammed FARDJ (ALG), via inj. def. 

Women's Wrestling

Team Scores 
GOLD - India (45 points)
SILVER - Turkey (35 points)
BRONZE - Sweden (33 points)
Fourth - Ukraine (28 points)
Fifth - Greece (25 points)

55kg
GOLD - Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) df. Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ), 10-0 
BRONZE - Roksana Marta ZASINA (POL) df. Bediha GUN (TUR), 4 - 0
BRONZE - Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ) df. Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR), 4-25

59kg (Round-Robin)
GOLD - Pooja DHANDA (IND) 
SILVER - Sarita SARITA (IND) 
BRONZE - Kornelija ZAICEVAITE (LTU)
BRONZE - Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) 

65kg
GOLD -Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) df. Sakshi MALIK (IND), 8-3 
BRONZE - Petra OLLI (FIN) df. Adina POPESCU (ROU), via inj. def.
BRONZEForrest MOLINARI (USA) df. Maya NELSON (USA), 6-3

72kg
GOLD - Buse TOSUN (TUR) df. Alina BEREZHNA STADNIK MAKHYNIA (UKR), 6-4
BRONZE - Maria SELMAIER (GER) df. Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), via DSQ
BRONZE - YAN Chuchu (CHN) df. Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), via forfeit

#WrestleZagreb

Ramazanov makes golden debut at Zagreb Open; Nolf, Aman champs

By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (January 10) -- Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) has had a busy week. After winning the Bulgarian Championships on Friday, he traveled to Germany for the Bundesliga and won. On Wednesday, he made his way through a tough 86kg bracket to win the Zagreb Open.

"I’ve already wrestled 11 bouts this week and I still have one more left this Saturday," Ramazanov said. "I was out for two years so it’s not a problem for me to wrestle even daily, because I am really hungry and want to participate in more tournaments."

Making his international debut for Bulgaria, Russian transfer Ramazanov won five bouts in Zagreb to clinch the gold medal and put his name in the hat at 86kg seven months before the Paris Olympics.

Ramazanov's run in Zagreb began with a win over Ethan RAMOS (PUR), followed by victories over Maxwell DEAN (USA), Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) and Chandler MARSTELLER (USA).

From the other side, two-time world bronze medalist Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) was dominating proceedings, having opened the day with a 6-2 win over Deepak PUNIA (UWW). He reached the final with three technical superiority wins over Valentyn BABII (UKR), Evsem SHVELIDZE (GEO) and Matthew FINESILVER (ISR).

Dauletbekov looked set to beat Ramazanov as he led 5-0 at the break but the second period saw a different Ramazanov as he scored single-leg takedowns to lead 6-5 with 45 seconds remaining in the final.

This shocked Dauletbekov who was struggling with his conditioning. Once Ramazanov felt that he had broken Dauletbekov, he piled up his attacks, winning 8-5.

"The final match was a little difficult, my opponent was experienced," he said. "That’s why I had to prepare seriously for that match. In the first period, I was behind but in the second period I went all in and turned the tide of the match."

Ramazamov would like to carry this form into his Saturday's Bundesliga bout and the European Championships which begins a month later in Bucharest, Romania.

Jason NOLF (USA)Jason NOLF (USA) pins Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) in the 74kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Jason NOLF (USA) defended his 74kg gold medal with an impressive show throughout the day. Hossein ABOUZARIPASHKOLAEI (IRI) was the second Iranian wrestler who tried to stop Nolf from winning the gold medal. Yones EMAMI (IRI) was in the final last year but Abouzaripashkolaei defeated him 4-4 in the quarterfinals to advance.

Celebrating his 28th birthday on Wednesday, Nolf was slow to start in the final and allowed Abouzaripashkolaei to get the first activity point at the break. But the second period saw Nolf's ascend as he scored takedowns with ease. A 10-1 scoreline in his favor meant that he added a second Zagreb Open gold.

In the semifinals, Nolf pinned European champion Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) in just 35 seconds.

"I am satisfied with my performance," Nolf said. "Whenever I can give 100 percent on the mat, I feel happy."

Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM)Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) scores on Joseph MCKENNA (USA) in the 65kg quarterfinals. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 65kg, Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) won the gold medal after Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) pulled out injured. Tevanyan had earlier avenged his World Championships semifinal loss to Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) and was looking to challenge Amouzad.

Amouzad secured his spot on the Iran Olympic team as he defeated Abbas EBRAHIMZADEH (IRI) 12-4 in the semifinals to settle the debate.  

Tevenyan defeated Joseph MC KENNA (USA) 5-2 in the quarterfinals before humbling Riveria 9-1 which included a remarkable four-point throw.

AMAN (IND)AMAN (UWW) improved on his bronze-medal finish from last year and won gold at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Improving on his bronze-medal finish from last year, AMAN (UWW) won the gold at 57kg after four technical superiority wins in as many bouts. In the final, the Asian champion took on Wanhao ZOU (CHN) and never gave the slightest of chances to the Chinese wrestler. Winning 10-0, Aman improved on the previous win over Zou which was 7-4 in the Asian Championships semifinals.

His other wins included 15-4 over Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR), 11-0 over Zane RICHARDS (USA) and 11-0 over Roberti DINGASHVILI (GEO) in the semifinal.

Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL)Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) defeated Andrii DZHELEP (UKR) in the 61kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 61kg, Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) returned to competition after more than two years and surprised everyone by winning the gold medal over Andrii DZHELEP (UKR), 9-2.

Erdenbat had traveled to Zagreb to help his ward Zane RICHARDS (USA) at 57kg. While he won the gold medal, Richards lost to Aman and failed to win the bronze medal as well.

In an all-Georgia final at 70kg, Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO) managed to hand Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) a 7-4 defeat.

 

sf

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: AMAN (UWW) df. Wanhao ZOU (CHN), 10-0

BRONZE: Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR) df. Roberti DINGASHVILI (GEO), via fall (14-5)
BRONZE: Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) df. Horst LEHR (GER), 3-1. 
by VPO1, 3 - 1

61kg
GOLD: Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) df. Andrii DZHELEP (UKR), 9-2

BRONZE: Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) df. Joseph SILVA (PUR), 4-2
BRONZE: Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE) df. Daniel POPOV (ISR), 7-3

65kg
GOLD: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI), via inj. def. 

BRONZE: Joseph MC KENNA (USA) df. Sebastian C RIVERA (PUR), 10-0
BRONZE: Abbas EBRAHIMZADEH (IRI) df. Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR), 10-0

70kg
GOLD: Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO) df. Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO), 7-4

BRONZE: Douglas ZAPF (USA) df. Marc DIETSCHE (SUI), 13-2

74kg
GOLD: Jason NOLF (USA) df. Hossein ABOUZARIPASHKOLAEI (IRI), 10-1

BRONZE: Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN) df. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), 4-1
BRONZE: Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) df. Tobias PORTMANN (SUI), 5-3

86kg
GOLD: Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) df. Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), 8-5

BRONZE: Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) df. Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE), 5-0
BRONZE: Evsem SHVELIDZE (GEO) df. Matthew FINESILVER (ISR), 7-3