U23 World C'ships

Russia and USA Win Multiple Medals in Final Night of U23 World Championships

Sunday, November 26, 2017 - 21:48 By Taylor Miller

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BYDGOSZCZ, Poland – Russia went 2-0 in gold-medal bouts in the final day of the U23 World Championships, while the United States picked up its first medals of the event on Sunday night in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Nachyn Sergeevitch KUULAR (RUS) was one of two gold medalists for Russia. A two-time World Military World champion, Kuular defeated Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) in the first gold-medal bout of the night, winning with a fast 16-6 technical fall at 65 kg.

His teammate, Gadzhi NABIEV (RUS), pulled out a gritty 7-2 win against 2017 Junior European Championships bronze medalist Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) in the 74 kg match.

Nabiev won the 2015 Junior World crown and finished second at this year’s Russian Championships.

At 70 kg, Richard LEWIS (USA) grinded out a 3-1 win against Kumar VINOD (IND) to claim a World gold medal in his first international tournament.

The U.S. also won two bronze medals to wrap up the tournament, coming from Joseph MCKENNA at 65 kg and Ty WALZ at 97 kg.

Asian Indoor Games champion and Golden Grand Prix silver medalist Mojtaba Mohammadshafie GOLEIJ (IRI) eased his way to a 10-0 technical fall in the 97 kg finals. Goleij knocked off two-time Junior World medalist Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR) for his first World title.

Russia won the team race with 55 team points, claiming three gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal over the weekend. Kazakhstan was second with 41 points, followed by Georgia with 36 points.

Finals results
65 kg
Gold - Nachyn Sergeevitch KUULAR (RUS) tech. fall Bajrang BAJRANG (IND), 16-6
Bronze - Joseph Christopher MC KENNA (USA) dec. Heorhi KALIYEU (BLR), 2-0
Bronze - Yones Aliakbar EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) dec. Haydar YAVUZ (TUR), 6-4

70 kg
Gold - Richard Anthony LEWIS (USA) dec. Kumar Omprakash VINOD (IND), 3-1
Bronze - Muhammet AKDENIZ (TUR) dec. Zulfikar MAKHAMATOV (KAZ), 4-2
Bronze - Mirza SKHULUKHIA (GEO) dec. Nobuyoshi TAKOJIMA (JPN), 3-0

74 kg
Gold - Gadzhi NABIEV (RUS) dec. Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK), 7-2
Bronze - Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) tech. fall Isaiah Alexander MARTINEZ (USA), 11-0
Bronze - Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) tech. fall Engin Rashid ISMAIL (BUL), 12-2

97 kg
Gold - Mojtaba Mohammadshafie GOLEIJ (IRI) tech. fall Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR), 10-0
Bronze - Ty Ryan Jack WALZ (USA) dec. Chaoqiang YANG (CHN), 3-0
Bronze - Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR) dec. Rasul MAGOMEDOV (RUS), 7-2

 

#WrestleBudapest

Sharipov Sets His Sights on Dominating 125kg One Gold at a Time

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 - 21:01 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 14) -- Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) and Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) have just spent a couple of hours training on the eve the eve of Budapest Ranking Series. By the end of it, Sharipov has dictated the sparring. The 125kg wrestler clearly has edge over Tazhudinov due to his weight but he clearly looks more physically fit than his compatriot.

The two will step on the mat on Thursday at the Ranking Series tournament where medals will bring them vital ranking points for the World Championships. A year ago, Tazhudinov would have walked into any tournament as the favorite to win. In Budapest, that status has changed.

Sharipov, on the other hand, has quickly become the second best 125kg wrestler in the world and is the firm favorite to win gold on Thursday.

"I won the first ranking series and I want to repeat that result now in Budapest," Sharipov said.

After the official draw, Sharipov will open his campaign against Ulaanbaatar Open winner DINESH (IND) and a likely quarterfinal against Kazakhstan's young star Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ). European champion Giorgi MESHDESHVILI (AZE) will likely be the semifinal opponent.

Sharipov knows that a good run in Budapest will make him one of the favorites for the World Championships and more opponents will be keeping an eye on him. But the Asian silver medalist is waiting to get to his hands on Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI).

"As you said, I am now one of the leaders of this weight class so people are learning about me but I am ready," he said. "One of my tough opponents is Zare and when the World Championships comes closer, I will plan and find a way to wrestle him."

For Tazhudinov, it will be an opportunity to get a win back over Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), who defeated the Bahrain wrestler at the Islamic Solidarity Games. Maintaining that he has fully recovered from his injuries, Tazhudinov is locked in for the tournament and later for the World Championships where he will look to win the title he lost last year.

"My goal is always the same. I come to win and this ranking series is not an exception. We have been through a good camp and the mat will show," Tazhudinov said. "I need to get 100 percent for the World Championships."