#WrestleBelgrade

Russia Tops Iran for Freestyle Team Title at #WrestleBelgrade

By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (November 7) – As Russia and Iran battled for the team title, the 74kg final was the perfect stage to decide it. Chermen VALIEV (RUS) was chasing the gold he was denied in 2019 and Mohmmadsadegh FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) was looking for his debut world title. And they put on a show.

Valiev began with a stepout and then a takedown on edge to lead 3-0 and seemed like he would run away with the bout. But just before the break, Firouzpourbandpei got one back with a stepout.

As the Iranian upped the pace, Valiev began to tire out but only gave up a point for stepout with caution. The Russian was always on the backfoot but Firouzpourbandpei could never finish his attacks.

Valiev scored a takedown on a counter to extend the lead 5-2 with a minute and 27 seconds remaining in the bout. He then countered another attack and led 7-2. In a dramatic finish, Firouzpourbandpei made a huge four-point throw in the final two seconds but that was a little too late.

Chermen VALIEV U23 World ChampionshipsChermen VALIEV (RUS) became the U23 world champion at 74kg. (Photo: UWW / Mohamed Yahia)

The gold medal for Russia confirmed their team title irrespective of other results. In the end, they captured it with 145 points while Iran finished second with 140. The surprise came at the third position which went to Armenia who had 114 points.

Russia had three finalists Sunday but only Valiev could win a gold medal. Iran also had two wrestlers in the final but both lost which hurt their chances to win the team title.

Arsen HARTUNYUNYAN (ARM) ended his long wait for a world title as he won the gold medal at 61kg while Mukhammed ALIIEV (UKR) gave Ukraine their first-ever freestyle U23 world champion at 86kg.

At 92kg, Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) finished at the top of the podium with a controlled win while the USA also finished with one gold as Anthony CASSIOPPI (USA) secured a first-period fall over Azamat KHOSONOV (GRE) to close out the U23 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

On his way to the 74kg gold, Valiev had scored an important win over returning U23 world champion Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) in the 1/8 finals which perhaps boosted his confidence.

“It took me a while to get here,” Valiev said. “I am very happy that I’ve made it. For the final, we’ve prepared a tactic with the coaches to wrestle till the very end, not to give up. He wasn’t trying to hit a double-leg a lot, he was just pushing.”

As he graduates to the senior level, the Ardon-native Valiev understands the challenges of the tough 74kg weight in Russia and internationally.

“In 74kg, the competition is really big both in Russia and in the world, but I am ready for it. I’ll work harder and I think I’ll make it,” he said.

Arsen HARUTYUNYANArsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) won the gold at 61kg. (Photo: UWW / Mohamed Yahia)

Russia had a finalist at 57kg as well but Hartunyunyan looked the more committed wrestler as he stopped Artur CHEBODAEV (RUS) 11-7 in the final.

The Oslo bronze medalist set the pace of the bout early with a takedown and then a stepout to make it 3-0. But he was on in trouble when Chebodaev scored a takedown and laced the Armenian for the lead. At the break, the Russian led 6-4.

The match changed in the second period when Harutyunyan scored a takedown and worked a leg-lace for four more points for a 10-6 lead. The two exchanged stepouts did not matter much in the end.

“I was ready to wrestle for the six minutes and finish it 10-0,” Harutyunyan said. “Bu the final turned out to be interesting.”

Harutyunyan has previously made seven trips to World Championships but this is the first time he has been able to win the title. This could well be the start of a legendary career for the Armenian.

“This is just the beginning,” he said. “I will become the senior and Olympic champion. Previously, I did not have enough experience and something always goes wrong at the senior Worlds.”

By ending the world title drought, the Armenian has got a load off his back. After the bronze in Oslo, decided to wrestle at the U23 Worlds to win and is now ready to repeat the performances.

“After Oslo, I thought that there will be another way open to me and I would finish the year in a good way,” he said. “Next year, I will wrestle as a world champion and I will have fewer worries than I had. I will correct my mistakes so that I can wrestle well at the Paris Olympics.”

Osman NURMAGOMEDOVOsman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) won the gold medal at the 92kg. (Photo: UWW / Mohamed Yahia)

Russia suffered another heartbreak as Oslo bronze medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) put his '21 U23 Euro final's loss behind and upgraded to gold at the U23 Worlds. He defeated Azamat ZAKUEV (RUS), 4-2 in the final.

Nurmagomedov's semifinal against junior world champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) was a match that will be remembered for long. The Iranian wrestler was caught in a leg lace and the Azerbaijan wrestler was awarded a 10-0 win.

But Iran challenged the call saying that the final action was out-of-bounds. It was confirmed in the reviews which gave a second life to Firouzpourbandpei who mounted a comeback but still fell short 8-10.

In the final, Nurmagomedov, from the same family as Olympic champion Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE), was in much more control as he scored two takedowns to win the bout 4-2.

"I was training hard. I was mentally prepared to win," Nurmagomedov said. "In the final match the opponent was very strong. I wrestled him at the U23 European, it gave me confidence, I know his wrestling style well. It was easier, we analyzed him well with the coaches."

The Azerbaijan wrestler had defeated Zakuev 5-4 at the U23 Euros as well but in the final there, he lost 3-4 against Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) after being cautioned for a singlet pulling.

In Oslo, he reached the semifinal but lost to Magomed KURBANOV (RUS) and the Azerbaijan wrestler accepted that there are areas that he need to improve.

"Kurbanov is just a physically strong guy," he said. "I feel that I just don’t have enough strength. In a few years I’ll meet him and the match will end differently."

Hailing from Dagestan, Nurmagomedov trains in Makhachkala and Khasavurt, but has been in Baku, Azernaijan recently.

"I have two personal coaches and since 2018, I’ve been in the same team with Sarifov as well. It’s a pleasure to train with such professionals," he said.

Mukhammed ALIIEVMukhammed ALIIEV (UKR) is Ukraine's first-ever freestyle world champion at U23 Worlds. (Photo: UWW / Mohamed Yahia)

At 86kg, Aliiev created history by winning Ukraine's first gold. In the process, he dashed Iran's hopes of winning gold through Sajjad GHOLAMI (IRI).

“I still can’t believe I am a champion,” Aliiev said. “I was so proud when the anthem was playing and the flag was raised.”

The 22-year-old trains in Kharkov, Ukraine and began training only when his father, a boxer, pushed him into the sport and not boxing.

Wrestling at the first World Championships, Aliiev began with a quick takedown which Gholami countered with his own. He took a clear lead with another one but Aliiev cut it short with a stepout.

Surprisingly, it was the Iran wrestler who was struggling to find his feet on the mat as Aliiev kept coming back. In the second period, he added a takedown and stepout before a body lock exposure gave him two more. He ended the bout 11-4.

“I was wrestling everyone here for the first time and it was challenging for me,” he said.

Anthony CASSIOPPIAnthony CASSIOPPI (USA) won the gold medal at 125kg. (Photo: UWW / Mohamed Yahia) 

At 125kg, Cassioppi ended a stunning run at the U23 Worlds with a victory via fall over Azamat KHOSONOV (GRE) and a gold medal for the USA.

It all happened in the first period as Cassiopi scored a takedown and then had Khosonov in a lace. The Greek tried to score a four but fell on his back and the USA wrestler held him to the mat and secured the fall.

“I just came out here and do my best. I just wrestled to my abilities,” Cassiopi said. “I have not competed at this high level before. I expected to win and wrestle my positions. He did help me stay in my ties.”

Osman NURMAGOMEDOVOsman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), red, defeated Azamat ZAKUEV (RUS) in the final. (Photo: UWW / Mohamed Yahia)

RESULTS

61kg
GOLD: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df Artur CHEBODAEV (RUS), 11-7

BRONZE: Assyl AITAKYN (KAZ) df Gamzatgadzhi KHALIDOV (HUN), 3-3
BRONZE: Narankhuu NARMANDAKH (MGL) df Christopher CANNON (USA), 10-0

74kg
GOLD: Chermen VALIEV (RUS) df Mohmmadsadegh FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI), 7-6

BRONZE: Temuri BERUASHVILI (GEO) df Vasile DIACON (MDA), 3-3
BRONZE: Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM) df Simon MARCHL (AUT), 10-0

86kg
GOLD: Mukhammed ALIIEV (UKR) df Sajjad GHOLAMI (IRI), 11-4

BRONZE: Lars SCHAEFLE (GER) df Zagid KARIMOV (RUS), 3-0
BRONZE: Ivars SAMUSONOKS (LAT) df Emre CIFTCI (TUR), 5-2

92kg
GOLD: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df Azamat ZAKUEV (RUS), 4-2

BRONZE: Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) df Johannes MAYER (GER), 10-0
BRONZE: Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) df Rustam SHODIEV (UZB), via fall

125kg
GOLD: Anthony CASSIOPPI (USA) df Azamat KHOSONOV (GRE), via fall

BRONZE: Seyedmehdi HASHEMIJOUYBARI (IRI) df Mohit GREWAL (IND), 6-3
BRONZE: Saipudin MAGOMEDOV (RUS) df Martin SIMONYAN (ARM), 10-0

#WrestleBelgrade

Armenia in line for strong World C'ships with young stars

By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 1) – Soon after finishing with a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, talks of Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) moving away from the sport were ripe.

His last world title came in 2017 and his battles with injuries, along with the rise of Musa EVLOEV, denied him standing on top of the podium in two World Championships and the Olympic Games.

Fast forward one year to the World Championships in Belgrade, and Aleksanyan's return to the mat surprised quite a few in the wrestling world. After a 13-month hiatus from competition and a year of relentless rehabilitation, he emerged victorious, reclaiming his throne with a gold medal in the 97kg category.

"That’s my fourth world gold," Aleksanyan said in Belgrade. “For two years I couldn’t make it because of injuries. After the Olympic Games, I took a year break and treated them all."

In two weeks' time, the 31-year-old will be in Belgrade again, hoping to defend his world title as he now prepares to reclaim his Olympic title in Paris next year.

But Aleksanyan isn't the only one hoping to raise the Armenian flag in Belgrade. A trio of Armenian wrestlers, each carrying their own dreams and determination, seek a world crown and Olympic qualification.

Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM)Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) is a returning bronze medalist from 77kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

European champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) is among the favorites to win the gold at 77kg while in Freestyle, Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) at 57kg and Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) at 65kg are aiming to give Armenia its first Freestyle world champion in a decade.

Amoyan won the world title in 2021 in Oslo but moved to the Olympic weight class 77kg next year, earning a bronze medal. Harutyunyan and Tevanyan both were at the Tokyo Olympics but returned empty-handed.

While Tevanyan rose to prominence before Tokyo by beating the likes of Haji ALIYEV (AZE) and Iszamail MUSZUKAJAEV (HUN), Harutyunyan transformed himself after Toyko. He won his first world medal in Oslo and added another last year.

At the U23 level, he won back-to-back gold medals at the World Championships and earlier this year, he became the European champion at 61kg after beating 57kg world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB).

Tevanyan, too, has won the European Championships and the U23 World Championships but is still searching for his first World Championships medal after finishing seventh last year.

Amoyan made a dream debut at 77kg, winning the European title in 2022 and defending it this year. He lost to Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) at the 2022 World Championships but won a bronze medal through repechage.

The three do not have the credentials Aleksanyan had at the age of 25 years but are among the best in their weight classes. Aleksanyan was an Olympic champion by then, only the second in Armenia's history, a two-time world champion, and already a superstar.

A lot of that has to do with where Aleksanyan was born -- Gyumri.

“Gyumri is not a big city but we have five Olympic champions who grew up here,” Aleksanyan says. “We have many worthy athletes in different sports.”

A historical city in north-west Armenia's Shirak province, Gyumri has given the country many sporting heroes, artists and scholars. It has been a center of the country since old times and is known by different names.

UWW's Athlete Commission's President Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARM), who won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics and a Gyumri native, explains the importance of the city for Armenia and its sports.

“It became a developing city in times of the Russian empire when Armenia was a part of it,” Julfalakyan said. “The city became host to large numbers of Armenian refugees fleeing the Armenian Genocide, in particular hosting 22,000 orphaned children in around 170 orphanage buildings. It was renamed Leninakan during the Soviet period and became a major industrial and textile center in Soviet Armenia.

“Exactly in that period began the popularization of sport in all of Armenia, and especially in Gyumri. That was the philosophy/policy of the country during that period. Not only sports, but also education, science, and culture became very important. Wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, and judo were the first sports most popular among the youth. And in wrestling, Greco-Roman style. That’s the reason nowadays in Gyumri most of the elite wrestlers are Greco Roman”

That popularity can be explained as the city was also the center of Armenia's traditional wrestling Kokh. The style is divided into two styles, Lori Kokh and Shirak Kokh. Shirak is the province in which Gyumri falls while Lori is the neighboring province bordering Georgia. Ironically, Shirak Kokh allowed wrestlers to grab the legs of the opponent. In Lori Kokh, a wrestler can only throw grabbing the costume of the opponent.

In 1988, Gyumri lost one-third of its population after a devastating earthquake. Yet, the city keeps producing sports champions apart from the various artists and scholars it has given.

“In Seoul Olympics 1988, Gyumri gave Armenia one gold in Greco-Roman (Levon JULFALAKYAN) and one silver in weightlifting,” he says. “Unfortunately, the devastating earthquake in 1988 ruined almost 80% of the city.”

Wrestlers like Aleksanyan, current Greco-Roman head coach and Armenia's first Olympic gold medalist Levon JULFALAKYAN (ARM), Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARM), Armen NAZARYAN (ARM), Aghasi MANUKYAN (ARM) among others grew up in those times with little to no facilities to train. Yet, they made it a wrestling powerhouse.

“Times were really vulnerable. Participating in sports and coaching was considered heroic. No salary, no heating and no hot water in sports halls. Sometimes even no light. But we resisted. How? Hard to say. I think it’s just in the nature of the nation with its ancient history.

“In the 2000s, many sports halls were built or reconstructed. But then the process was stopped and for sure it wasn’t enough. Right now, what we have in Gyumri and in Armenia is not enough and not close to the international level.”

Given Gyumri's history, Aleksanyan was bound to be a champion. In one of the many YouTube videos available about his wrestling career, Aleksanyan talks about the dilapidated training school he began his wrestling career. Photos of the training school and its dire condition went viral soon after Aleksanyan won the gold in Rio. Broken walls, missing equipment from the gym, and dirty toilets were making the news.

“Some people don't believe me when I say that I train there when I am in Gyumri,” Aleksanyan had told VNews four years ago. “It's sad but true. Training there makes me stronger as I grew up here.”

For 18 years, Aleksanyan sweated it out in that workaround training hall before moving to Yerevan. His family still stays in Gyumri.

Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM)Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) defeated world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) to win the European Championships at 61kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Harutyunyan and Tevanyan were not born in Gyumri. They were raised in Ararat, a province in southeast Armenia, diagonally opposite Gyumri and the Freestyle center of Armenia's wrestling.

“From the beginning of developing sports in Gyumri, the main focus was on Greco-Roman. The coaches mostly were of that style,” Julfalakyan said. “And vice versa, in city Vanadzor (Kirovakan) or the cities of the Ararat valley mostly are concentrated in Freestyle. Another reason might be the plains in Ararat and the highlands in Gyumri. By the way, last few years freestyle wrestling in Armenia has grown very fast.”

The province has given Armenia some of the finest Freestyle wrestlers including Armenia's only Freestyle Olympic medalist Armen MKRTCHYAN (ARM), three-time world champion Arayik GEVORGYAN (ARM), Aram MARGARYAN (ARM) and Martin BERBERYAN (ARM).

Both Harutyunyan and Tevenyan will look to continue that tradition in Belgrade.

At 57kg, Harutyunyan will have to navigate a strong field that includes defending world champion Abakarov, 61kg world champion Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), Asian champion AMAN (IND), the United States's Zane RICHARDS (USA), European champion Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE), Wanhao ZOU (CHN), Suleyman ATLI (TUR) and Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) among the top names.

Higuchi defeated Harutyunyan at 61kg last year but Higuchi's struggles at 57kg have been well documented. Harutyunyan possesses the attacks to beat the best and can go into a shell to defend his lead as he did to beat Abakarov in Zagreb. But Aman, Abdullaev and Zou can be the surprise he does not want.

“I am the type of person who likes difficulties, I like to do what people think is impossible,” Harutyunyan said. “All wrestlers are strong and equal. On that day, whoever is well prepared, really wants to win, will win.”

Tevanyan also has a stacked field with defending world champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI), Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN), Tulga TUMUR-OCHIR (MGL), Aliyev, Muszukajaev, Umidjon JALALOV (UZB), Nicholas LEE (USA), Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR), Alejandro VALDES (CUB) being some of the names entered.

Tevanyan blew hot and cold last year but won the Ibrahim Mustafa Ranking Series and the European title this year. With wins over most of the names at 65kg, Tevanyan will fancy his chances. His sturdy build along with the strength he brings should be enough to go past many in the field.

If Amoyan wants to join Aleksanyan on the podium, he will have to dig deep as the 77kg weight is arguably the best. World champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) leads the field along with Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), Yunus EMRE (TUR), Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), Viktor NEMES (SRB), Alexandrin GUTU (MDA), Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI), Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) and Kamal BEY (USA).

Though he has suffered losses to both Makhmudov and Levai, Amoyan will back himself as Levai's form has dropped significantly and Makhmudov has lost twice since becoming the world champion. His incredible run for the 72kg gold in Oslo saw Amoyan dominate his opponents and a year since his bronze in Belgrade, Amoyan should have the strength as well to wrestle heavier wrestlers.

Apart from the three youngsters, Aleksanyan will be the favorite to bring home the gold medal. The returning world champion is going for his fourth Olympic cycle which only adds pressure.

In Belgrade, Aleksanyan will have to face a strong 97kg field which includes former world champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI), Artur SARGASIAN (AIN), Kiril MILOV (BUL), Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) and even veteran Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB).

Aleksanyan will start as the favorite even in such a tough field. No doubt it will be a challenge for his body to wrestle three consecutive barn-burners, especially when the White Bear is a month away from his 32nd birthday.

“My motivation is hearing the Armenian national anthem and raising the Armenian flag one more time during the Olympic Games,” he said. “This cycle is different from my first Olympic experience which took place in London in a way that I have three Olympic medals and am more experienced.”

With experience, youth and will on their side, the Armenian stars, unless things go completely haywire in Belgrade, would dream of podium finishes and book their spots for the Paris Olympics where Armenia is looking to end a 28-year wait for a Freestyle medal.

And the first seeds of that dream would be sowed in Belgrade through Harutyunuan and Tevanyan.

“Our boys prepare very well,” Harutyunyan says. “Malkhas is a very knowledgeable and hardworking athlete. I believe that he can become the world champion this year. Artur is the pride of our nation and we all take an example. He has proved very tirelessly that he is the best and I am sure that he will prove himself the champion.”