#WrestleUfa

Russia, Iran Share Two FS Titles to Deny Azerbaijan at #WrestleUfa

Tuesday, August 17, 2021 - 18:54 By Vinay Siwach

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UFA, Russia (August 17) – Ramazan BAGAVUDINOV (RUS) had been touted as the next big thing out of Dagestan and Russia but his previous international outings had resulted in only a bronze medal at the 2019 European Championships.

But that changed Tuesday as the young Russian clinched the junior world title in a stunning comeback win over Muhammed KARAVUS (TUR) in the 57kg final. Winning the title in front of his home crowd in Ufa, Russia made it extra special.

“I am really happy that I could finally get the gold,” Bagavudinov said.

Five freestyle world titles were awarded on the second day of the Junior World Championships which began in Ufa Monday with Russia and Iran winning two each while the USA also claimed one title.

Azerbaijan, which had three finalists Tuesday, failed to win the gold medal and returned with three silver medals which left the coaches disappointed.

Turkey also failed to win a gold medal despite having two finalists. Karavus was a point away from winning the gold but Bagavudinov scripted a win for the ages.

It began with a exposure for Karavus and then two points for a takedown. He then exposed the Russian with two guts and added a stepout to lead 9-0. But then came the offensive onslaught.

Bagavudinov began with a big four-point throw and added a stepout to make it 9-5. A single takedown reduced the lead to 9-7 before he tripped Karavus for two more points to lead 9-9 on criteria.

“After I got the four-point throw, I was planning to keep pressing more as I knew he would get tired eventually,” he said. 

With less than  30 seconds to go, he managed to defend all attacks from the Turkey wrestler who was running out of steam. But in one final effort, Karavus got a chest wrap and exposed Bagavudinov for two points but also gave up two points when he could not get out of the Russian's grip.

“Honestly, I thought they wouldn’t give the two points to the Turkish wrestler, but then I saw the scoreboard, it was 11-11, and then I realized that I won,” he said.

The 11-11 win got huge reception from the limited crowd in Ufa Arena as fans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or can provide proof of a negative COVID-19 report using a RT-PCR method are allowed.

Shamil MAMEDOVShamil MAMEDOV (RUS) won the 65kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The second gold medalist for Russia came at 65kg as Shamil MAMEDOV (RUS) defeated Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE) 4-1 in the gold medal bout.

In contrast to the win of Bagavudinov, Mamedov had a controlled final and put on a defensive masterclass against Bayramov.

Bayramov opened the scoring when Mamedov gave up a point for being passive. But then the Russian upped his game and scored a takedown to lead 2-1. Bayramov managed to open scoring options but Mamedov's defense was on point throughout the match.

“I knew if I gave him a single leg, I would have still been able to defend, but a double leg would have been much tougher,” Mamedov said. “The final match was tough, as it always is. I was controlling the match and I managed to defend my lead, so I won.”

His ankle pick while defending a single leg gave Mamedov the two points and he defended another attack with a reverse lock to win 4-1.

Mamedov said winning the gold medal with his room partner Bagavudinov was a great experience and he had some nervous moments when his friend was trailing 0-9 in the 57kg final. But the comeback motivated Mamedov for his final as well.

“We are friends, We even stay in the same room. I am so happy we both won the gold medals,” he said. “I was watching him from the stands and I was worried a lot when the score was 9-0. When he won, it gave me more motivation to win.”

In the two Iran-Azerbaijan finals, both Iran wrestlers came out on top, ending Azerbaijan's day in disappointment.

Erfan ELAHI (IRI)Erfan ELAHI (IRI) stunned Dzharbrail GADZHIEV (AZE) in the 70kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Elahi was the first one to stun Dzharbrail GADZHIEV (AZE) in the 70kg final as he kept on the pressure and ultimately won 7-5.

Gadzhiev, a U23 European champion, began the scoring with a stepout but Elahi also scored a stepout. Gadzhiev scored a quick takedown to make it 3-1. Bur Elahi then managed three stepout against a tiring Gadzhiev to make it 4-3. Two stepouts from each wrestler changed the score to 6-5 but that was not enough for Gadzhiev. Iran got an extra point for a lost challenge from Azerbaijan.

Elahi said that his bouts were difficult but it was his training in Iran that helped him win in Ufa.

“I was on the mat for five matches and bouts were tough and high-pressure,” Elahi said. “I trained very hard before competition, even more than what I did on mat during competition.”

Elahi began as a gymnast before switching to wrestling and said that he will now look forward to winning the trial for Oslo World Championships and work towards the Paris Olympics by moving up to 74kg.

“This competition is one step for me for Norway so that I can enter the selection trials for the World Championship,” he said. “I will not remain in70kg because I am thinking about the Olympic Games and I will be 74kg for the Paris Games.”

Mohammad Ashghar NOKHODILARIMI (IRIMohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) won the 79kg gold after defeating Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 79kg, Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) defeated Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE) with an identical score of 7-5, giving Iran the second gold of the day.

Like Gadzhiev, it was Ashirov who began the scoring and got a takedown. But Nokhodilarimi reversed and got two points as well. He then went for a duck under but pulled out and scored a takedown to make 4-2. A gut wrench increased the score to 6-2.

Ashirov began the second period with a fake to the right leg then scored a takedown from the left to reduce the lead. But he gave up one stepout before scoring one at the end which was not enough for a win.

Nokhodilarimi said that he was the underdog against Ashirov which made the win a special one for him. “I was underrated to my opponent,” he said before adding, “and he was dangerous for me but God helped me to win.”

AmosBraxton AMOS (USA) claimed the gold medal at 97kg for USA. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The final gold of the went to Braxton AMOS (USA). He defeated Polat POLATCI (TUR) 11-4 in the 97kg final with ease. The two big wrestlers exchanged throws to keep the crowd on its feet but Amos' breathtaking five-point throw was the move of the day.

Amos began with five stepout in the first period but just before the break, he locked with Polatci who managed to throw him and score four.

In the second period, Polatci tried to trip Amos but the USA wrestler went for an outside trip of his own and made a perfect back-arch to get the five-point throw. A step out at the end gave him one more point and he won 11-4.

Amos said it was a risky move to throw for five but it was worth taking. The West Virginia native is not focused on winning a NCAA title back in America.

“It's hard to explain to be world champ,” Amos said. “It means everything to me and I am thankful to everybody. I can't express anything.

“When I threw him for five, it was either I was going on my back or he was. I had to go for it and whatever happened, happened. When I get home, it's back to work. I have an NCAA title to win.”

Iran Continues Stunning Run

Iran's performance on Tuesday more or less confirmed the team title for them. They also made it to four out of the five remaining finals which will be played on Wednesday. The performance will give them their first-ever team title win since 2015.

Two-time cadet world champion Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) led the way with a victory via fall over Fedor BALTUEV (RUS) in the 61kg final. He will face two-time cadet bronze medalist RAVINDER (IND) who won 12-2 over Levik MIKAYELYAN (ARM).

Amouzadkhalili began with an exposure for two and a stepout to lead 3-0 but Baltuev lifted him for four and then an exposure to lead 6-3. Iran challenged the call but lost. In the second period, Amouzadkhalili pressed Baltuev towards the danger and then picked him for four points. Using her trademark whipovers, he managed to get the Russian in the grip and pinned him with 47 seconds remaining.

Ravinder worked hard for his 12-2 win over Mikayelyan. Both were tied 2-2 before Ravinder's pressure tired out the Armenian. A series of takedown and then a single leg for four finished the match 12-2.

He said it doesn't matter who he is facing in the final. “The world titles of the Iranian opponent don’t matter,” he said before adding, “I’ll just consider him as another opponent.”

At 74kg, Keegan OTOOLE (USA) created some outwardly moves to pin Idar KHATANOV (RUS). The Russian used cradle to exposure to lead 10-5 but Otoole used a cradle of his own to get a pin over Khatanov. In the quarterfinal, he stunned Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) with a similar move despite trailing.

He will wrestle Nurdaulet KUANYSHBAY (KAZ) in the final after he won 11-1 Stambul ZHANYBEK UULU (KGZ) using a leg lace.

France will have a chance to win their first freestyle junior world title in seven years as Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) made it to the final at 86kg. He defeated Emre CIFTCI (TUR) 4-2.

But his task will be cut out against Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) who is a cadet world champion from 2019. The Iran wrestler was in his element against Daviti KOGUASHVILI (GEO) to win 14-4.

Iran will have a chance to win a gold at 92kg as Mahdi HAJILOUEIANMORAFAH (IRI) made it to the final and will face Rocky ELAM (USA). The Iran wrestler won 10-0 Nicolaas DE LANGE (RSA) while Rocky ELAM (USA) defeated Ivan KIRILLOV (RUS) 5-3 in the other semifinal.

At 125kg, Ali AKBARPOURKHORDOUNI (IRI) can add a sixth gold to cap off a remarkable campaign for them. He scored a top-notch win over Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) 8-5. He will face 2021 junior Euro champion Lyova GEVORGYAN (ARM).

Gevorgyan scored another win over Aydin AHMADOV (AZE) 10-0 as he did in the junior European Championships final.

Women's wrestling will begin Wednesday with 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg.

RESULTS FS Medal Bouts

57kg
GOLD: Ramazan BAGAVUDINOV (RUS) df Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR), 11-11

BRONZE: Assylzhan YESSENGELDI (KAZ) df Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE), 12-6
BRONZE: Manvel KHNDZRTSYAN (ARM) df Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ), 6-2

65kg
GOLD: Shamil MAMEDOV (RUS) df Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE), 4-1

BRONZE: Beau BARTLETT (USA) df Mustafo AKHMEDOV (TJK), 7-4
BRONZE: Bekzat YERMEKBAY (KAZ) df Seyedhassan EBADIMERMETI (IRI), 8-5

70kg
GOLD: Erfan ELAHI (IRI) df Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE), 7-5

BRONZE: Stanislav SVINOBOEV (RUS) df Kevin MAKOTA STROEM (SWE), 12-1
BRONZE: Bryce ANDONIAN (USA) df Stanislav NOVAC (MDA), 18-8

79kg
GOLD: Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) df Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE), 7-5

BRONZE: Gourav BALIYAN (IND) df Richard SCHROEDER (GER), 10-0
BRONZE: Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ) df Makhambet NURZHAUBAYEV (KAZ), 4-1

97kg
GOLD: Braxton AMOS (USA) df Polat POLATCI (TUR), 11-4

BRONZE: Alireza ABDOLLAHI (IRI) df Radu LEFTER (MDA), 5-4
BRONZE: DEEPAK (IND) df Milan KORCSOG (HUN), 3-2

RESULTS Semifinals

61kg
GOLD: RAVINDER (IND) vs Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI)

SF 1: RAVINDER (IND) df Levik MIKAYELYAN (ARM), 12-2
SF 2: Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) df Fedor BALTUEV (RUS), via fall 

74kg
GOLD: Keegan OTOOLE (USA) vs Nurdaulet KUANYSHBAY (KAZ)

SF 1: Keegan OTOOLE (USA) df Idar KHATANOV (RUS), via fall
SF 2: Nurdaulet KUANYSHBAY (KAZ) df Stambul ZHANYBEK UULU (KGZ), 11-1
 
86kg
GOLD: Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) vs Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI)

SF 1: Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) df Emre CIFTCI (TUR), 4-2
SF 2: Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) df Daviti KOGUASHVILI (GEO), 14-4

92kg
GOLD: Mahdi HAJILOUEIANMORAFAH (IRI) vs Rocky ELAM (USA)

SF 1: Mahdi HAJILOUEIANMORAFAH (IRI) df Nicolaas DE LANGE (RSA), 10-0
SF 2: Rocky ELAM (USA) df Ivan KIRILLOV (RUS), 5-3 

125kg
GOLD: Ali AKBARPOURKHORDOUNI (IRI) vs Lyova GEVORGYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Ali AKBARPOURKHORDOUNI (IRI) df Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA), 8-5
SF 2: Lyova GEVORGYAN (ARM) df Aydin AHMADOV (AZE), 10-0

#WrestleZagreb

Komarov upends Mohamadi to make history, spoil Iran celebrations

Sunday, September 21, 2025 - 20:47 By Ken Marantz

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Note: An earlier version of this article mentioned Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) as the first male wrestler to have won the "Grand Slam". Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) was the first. The error is regretted.

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 21) -- Olympic silver medalist Alireza MOHAMADI (IRI) was set to put the cherry on top of Iran's dominant performance in Zagreb, but Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) had a recipe for disaster.

Komarov pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory in the 87kg final that left Mohamadi inconsolable, while earning himself a unique place in wrestling history as the curtain came down on the World Championships on Sunday with the last three Greco titles decided.

"I’m very happy," Komarov said. "The final was really tough, and I believed I could succeed. In the end I managed it, and I’m very glad about that."

In other finals, teenager Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) gave Uzbekistan just its second world Greco title -- more than two decades after the first -- with a victory at 63kg, while Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) triumphed at 67kg to become the Iran's second Olympic champion in two nights to add the senior world gold.

Iran easily won the team title with 180 points, nearly twice as much as the runner-up, to complete the freestyle-Greco double for the first time. The Asian powerhouse finished with four golds and eight medals overall in Greco. Azerbaijan placed second with 89 points, followed by Uzbekistan with 72. Both nations had one champion.

With his triumph in Zagreb, the Russian-born Komarov became the second male wrestler to complete the "Grand Slam" of world titles -- winning all three age-group titles as well as the senior gold.

Komarov, who began competing for Serbia in 2024, previously won the first of two cadet (U17) titles in 2015, the world junior (U20) in 2017 and 2018, then added the world U23 in 2021.

He joins Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) as the lone men to achieve the Grand Slam. Mirzazadeh, who won a second career Greco 130kg title two days earlier in Zagreb, become the first when he won his first senior gold in 2023, adding to world titles at U17 in 2015, U20 in 2018 and U23 in 2021.

A handful of women, including Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and Amit ELOR (USA), have achieved the slam. Three other male greats came close, but fell just short by taking silvers on either the U17 or U20 levels -- Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) and Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) in freestyle and Leri ABULADZE (GEO) in Greco.

"I’ve collected the whole set of medals," said Komarov, who has also completed the Grand Slam on a European level. "My coach, my journey -- everything I did was right. I have success, so I’m very happy. My goal and my dream are the Olympic Games. I think about it. It’s too early to talk about that now, but I hope everything works out."

Even with his past glory, not everything had worked out for Komarov in his run-up to Zagreb. In fact, it was less than spectacular.

Eighth at the Paris Olympics, this year the 26-year-old relinquished the European title he had won in 2024, having to settle for a bronze, and placed fifth at all three Ranking Series events he entered, in Zagreb, Tirana and Budapest.

In fact, it was in Tirana that he clashed with Mohamadi, who handed him a 5-1 defeat in the semifinals en route to the gold.

"It was a very hard road to get here -- it’s been a very difficult year and I lost all the ranking series. I lost at the Europeans," Komarov said. "Of course I had doubts in myself, but I believed I could do it and I succeeded. I’m always mentally ready -- I didn’t change anything, just worked a lot and tried to wrestle without mistakes and give my best."

But Komarov made all the right moves in Zagreb to beat Mohamadi, who reluctantly settled for his second world silver, adding to one at 82kg in 2023.

The difference came down to what each wrestler did from par terre. Mohamadi, who won the Tirana Ranking Series title, could only manage a stepout on a throw
attempt. Komarov, on the other hand, got the traditional roll, which put him up 3-2 in the second period.

The key moment of the match came in the final minute, when Mohamadi pressed forward in a tackle position and had Komarov backpedaling out of the ring.

But the stepout -- nor a potential fleeing point -- was not awarded when it was determined on a lost Iranian challenge that Mohamadi's hands had dropped below Komarov's waist, which made it 4-2.

Mohamadi needed a takedown to win, but could only manage a late stepout. At the final whistle, he dropped to the mat in total despair, and had be propped up as he
walked dejectedly from the main floor.

Meanwhile, Komarov's celebrations took a odd twist when it was discovered there was no Serbian flag for him to hoist for his victory lap. Instead, he circled the mat on the shoulders of his coaches.

"Nobody believed I would win," Komarov said with a smile. "Many Serbians came to support me, but nobody brought a flag."

While Komarov chose to relocate his life to Serbia and has a Serbian wife, his family remains in Russia. His younger brother, Ilya KOMAROV (UWW), won a bronze medal at the U20 World Championships in August.

At 63kg, Khalmakhanov's victory on the senior stage came just over a month after winning the gold at the World U20 Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria.

Khalmakhanov, who also won the senior Asian title in March, looked like a seasoned veteran in the final against Hanjae CHUNG (KOR), dominating in a 6-0
victory.

Khalmakhanov wasn't able to turn in par terre in the first period, but added a stepout to take a 2-0 lead at the break. In the second, he shrugged Chung down for a takedown, then added another stepout while attempting a throw.

The Korean side challenged the original takedown, but it was denied, giving Khalmakanov a 6-0 lead that he defended to the end. 

Perhaps the only person more ecstatic over Khalmakanov's victory was his coach, the indefatigable Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), who finally retired at age 40 after the Paris Olympics, having won two world medals but no golds.

Uzbekistan's only previous gold in Greco came in 2001, when Dilshod ARIPOV (UZB) won the 58kg title in Petras, Greece.

Chung was denied in his bid to give Korea its first world Greco gold since his senior teammate and longtime training partner at Kyungsung University, the now-retired Hansu RYU (KOR), won the second of his two world golds in Paris in 2017.

At 67kg, Esmaeili got a stepout to start the match, and that proved the difference in a 2-1 victory over reigning European champion and Paris Olympic bronze medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE).

"With a smart plan, I beat him 2–1 and became the champion of this weight class," said Esmaeili, who won the gold in his senior world debut.

Each wrestler had a chance in par terre, but neither could turn the other, giving Esmaeili his closest victory of the tournament. He had cruised into the final with four consecutive wins by technical superiority.

"Anyone who makes it to the final is obviously a good wrestler, but I didn’t want to take unnecessary risks in the final," Esmaeili said. "We had a clear plan to win, and thank God it worked out -- we came out on top."

Esmaeili has been on quite a run in recent years. He has suffered just one loss since 2021, a 9-7 defeat at the hands of Luis ORTA (CUB) in the semifinals of the Budapest Ranking Series event in June 2024.

His accolades, in addition to the Paris gold, include back-to-back Asian titles in 2024 and 2025. Having already won golds at the world U17 and U20, he needs just the world U23 to complete a "Golden Grand Slam," which includes the Olympics.

His victory came a day after fellow Paris champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) won the title at 97kg.

"This was my first time competing in the [senior] world championships," Esmaeili said. "Before this, I had competed in the Olympics, where thankfully I won gold, and here I was able to repeat that Olympic gold to prove myself once again."

Keshtkar tops Emelin for 63kg bronze

In the bronze-medal matches, Asian silver medalist Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) stormed out a big lead, then fought fatigue to hold off a late surge from former world champion Sergey EMELIN (UWW) to take his first world medal with a 6-4 victory at 63kg.

Keshtkar used an arm spin for an opening takedown, then added a stepout off a whizzer. Another stepout, combined with an unsuccessful challenge, put him up 5-0 at the break.

After Keshtkar padded his lead with another stepout, Emelin went on the offensive as the Iranian began to run out of gas. A stepout, takedown and fleeing penalty point cut the gap to two points, but the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist couldn't apply the coup de grace and fell short of a third world medal.

European bronze medalist Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA), last year's world U23 champion, was able to complete his comeback to defeat Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR) 6-5 for the other 63kg bronze.

Hrushyn, a two-time European medalist, had two stepouts and led 3-0 in the second period when Eriomenco gained a stepout, then was put in par terre. He took full advantage, executing a trap arm roll, then going back the other way to go ahead 6-3.

Hruyshyn scored a takedown with :37 left to pull within one, but Eriomenco conceded nothing the rest of the way to secure the medal.

At 67kg, lanky Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) fell into a five-point hole early against Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ), but used his elongated limbs to maximum advantage in ground wrestling to rally to a big lead before securing a late fall.

Two-time Asian silver medalist Beishekeev uncorked a 4-point throw from par terre in the first period to lead 5-0, with Galstyan picking up a stepout before the break.

Galstyan started his comeback by shrugging Beishekeev to the mat for a takedown, then getting behind again to tie the score at 5-5, although he still trailed on criteria. But he wrapped his long arms around Beishekeev and scored two exposures to go ahead 9-5.

An arm spin gave him another takedown, then he stopped an attack for another 2. That would have ended the match, but Galstyan put an exhausted Beishekeev on his back for a fall with :18 left.

At 87kg, Asian U23 champion Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) defeated David LOSONCZI (HUN) 4-2 to deny the former world champion a third career world medal.

Zhanyshov stopped a lateral drop attempt in the first period for a 2-point score, then added a passivity point to lead 3-0 at the break.

Losonczi, who took silver medals at three ranking series events this year, had a chance at par terre, but could not turn Zhanyshov. He did manage a stepout to cut the gap, but Zhanyshov shut him down the rest of the way, while a late caution point added to his tally.

Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) stepped over on a gut wrench attempt by Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) and secured a fall to take home the other 87kg bronze.

Alirzaev took a 3-0 lead with an exposure from par terre in the first period. In the second, he was on the bottom when he deftly stuck Yevloyev for the fall in 4:08.

Day 8 Results

Greco-Roman

63kg (26 entries)
GOLD: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) df. Hanjae CHUNG (KOR), 6-0

BRONZE: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) df. Sergey EMELIN (UWW), 6-4
BRONZE: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) df. Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR), 6-5

67kg (34 entries)
GOLD: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) df. Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), 2-1

BRONZE: Daniial AGAEV (UWW) df. Sebastian NAD (SRB), 7-1
BRONZE: Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) df. Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) by Fall, 5:42 (15-5)

87kg (30 entries)
GOLD: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) df. Alireza MOHAMADI (IRI), 4-3

BRONZE: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) df. David LOSONCZI (HUN), 4-2
BRONZE: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) df. Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) by Fall, 4:08 (5-1)