Rzazade, Aliyev lead Azerbaijan charge at European Championships

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 - 21:52 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (April 18) -- Since the turn of the century, Azerbaijan has been struggling to find a world-beating lightweight.

Barring Olympic champion Namik ABDULLAEV (AZE), no wrestler has been able to stamp his authority in the 55kg-57kg weight class. Giorgi EDISHERASHVILI (AZE) did win the European Championships twice in 2017 and 2018, but he was well past his prime by then and never looked threatening at the world level. Haji ALIYEV (AZE) won a bronze medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics but has spent most of his career at 61kg or above.

Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) may change that now. Having won the U23 world title in 2021, the 25-year-old reached the final of the European Championships last year and taking a step further, became the champion on Tuesday, beating two-time European champion Suleyman ATLI (TUR).

Rzazade led Azerbaijan's charge on day two of the European Championships in Zagreb as the nation took a comfortable seat at the top of the team rankings. Aliyev added a fourth European title and his first since 2019 to make it two golds for the night for his country.

For day two semifinal results, click here: Akgul vs Petriashvili, Round 11

Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) ended the country's 10-year wait for a European champion as he defeated Georgios KOUGIOUMTISDIS (GRE) to capture the 79kg gold medal while Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) scored a late takedown to deny Magomedkhan MAGOMED (AZE) a repeat at 97kg.

Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) added a senior European title to his U17, U20 and U23 titles as he defeated Mikyay NAIM (BUL) in the 65kg final.

Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) throws Suleyman ATLI (TUR) in the final move of the bout. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

But it was Rzazade who came out all guns blazing and etched his name in history as he won the 25th gold medal for Azerbaijan at the European Championships.

Atli was looking for his third after suffering three losses in the finals in the last five years but little did he know that Rzazade will hit an arm throw five seconds into the final.

And as Atli was settling down after that throw, Rzazade dropped to his knees to which Atli reacted by throwing himself backward. Rzazade made it look like he was going for a leg attack but hit another arm throw, this time earning himself two points.

A 6-0 was always difficult to cover. Atli did try and cut it to 6-2 at the break but Rzazade came out even more aggressive in the second period. Atli tried tipping him but Rzazade was solid and threw Atli to his back for four and turned for a 12-2 win. Rzazade was off for the celebrations.

Turkiye challenged the call claiming it was only two points on the throw and won. The wrestlers had to restart with the score at 10-2. But it just delaying the inevitable.

Rzazade and Atli body-locked each other but it was the former who managed to get the throw. This time, there was no one stopping the Azerbaijan wrestler from celebrating his first European title.

"I came here to be a champion," Rzazade said. "I was very ambitious coming here. It's a great feeling and I am proud that I was able to raise the Azerbaijan flag. This is one of the best days of my life."

For the 17 years he has been wrestling, beginning in the town of Astara in south Azerbaijan, walking distance from the border of Iran which also has an Astara bordering Azerbaijan, the first senior title could feel that way.

Tuesday's final was in contrast to the one he had last year when Vladimir EGOROV (MKD) defeated him 8-6. Rzazade fell behind 8-0 but rallied to score six points and as he was about to get a turn for the win, the time ran out. He did not leave anything to chance this year and captured the gold medal.

"Last year in the final, I lost a very close bout," he said. "Today I was able to win gold and it's a very different feeling than the previous one. I am very happy that I was able to win the gold.”

That loss allowed Rzazade to put things into perspective and grow as a wrestler moving forward.

"Now I am an ambitious athlete," he said. "This is my year and this is my day. I think I am not that weak and everyone sees me as a tough opponent. It won't be easy as good and strong opponents are waiting for me.”

His opponents too will have to work hard to beat the newly minted European champion. A lethal underhook and strong gut wrench make him a threat. Add to that a solid defense, both in par terre and standing.

“I am looking forward to the next championships -- the World Championships in Serbia,” he said. “As we can obtain the license for the Olympic Games, I will like to get one in Serbia. I want to be an Olympic champion.”

Haji ALIYEV (AZE) became the first male wrestler from Azerbaijan to win four European gold medals. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Aliyev made it two for Azerbaijan as he won the 70kg gold after beating Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL) in the gold medal bout. With him turning 32 years old on April 21, Aliyev gifted him an early birthday present.

The Tokyo Olympics silver medalist became the first male from Azerbaijan to win four European titles as he went past Abdullaev who had three titles. Greco-Roman star Rafiq HUSEYNOV (AZE) has three titles as well and will get a chance to make it four in the coming days. Mariya STADNIK (AZE) still leads the way with seven titles.

“This is a very important win for me,” Aliyev said. “In the history of Azerbaijan, I am the first [male] one to win four European golds. This is very good for me.”

On Monday Aliyev had said that he is wrestling at 70kg which has stronger wrestlers than him. But he outsmarts them to win.

Against Ramazanov, he did use various tricks to capture the gold medal. Instead of waning himself out, Aliyev decided to rack up stepouts instead of indulging in scrambles.

He got three stepouts and a takedown to lead 5-1 at the break. He continued to put the pressure on Ramazanov and scored another stepout. Ramazanov scored a stepout and got an extra caution point to cut the lead to 8-3. Aliyev added a late takedown to win 10-3.

“We’ve been preparing a lot,” he said. “We had a lot of training camps this year. We are on the right way. That’s why we are winning.”

For his future plans, Aliyev said he is still chasing that elusive Olympic gold, a medal the 31-year-old missed by a whisker in Tokyo.

“I already have an Olympic bronze and silver, but I need the gold,” he said. “I will try hard. I do my best for this gold. I think it doesn’t matter if I am 32 or 34 years old, it only matters to work hard and become a champion.”

But Aliyev also knows that winning a medal in 65kg will be a herculean task as it is the deepest category in the world.

“This weight class is the toughest,” he said. “There are many good opponents and there are usually around 4-5 world champions. I think I know their wrestling styles. This is my last chance and I have to win the Olympic gold and then retire.”

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) scoring a takedown on Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) in the final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Azerbaijan could have won three gold medals but world bronze medalist Matcharashvili pulled off a late takedown to beat fellow world bronze medalist Magomedov 4-3 in the final at 97kg.

Magomedov, the defending champion, began with a stepout and always looked to attack even as Matcharashvili continued to stall in the first period. He got a takedown on the edge to lead 3-0 at the break.

After five minutes of no action from Matcharashvili, he got going in the final minute, scoring a takedown via single-leg. In the final 20 seconds, Magomedov managed to go behind but slipped, giving Matcharashvili the opportunity to score another takedown as he won 4-3.

It was the first European gold medal for the former U23 world champion who also has a silver medal from European Games.

Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) celebrates after winning the 65kg gold medal in Zagreb. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Tevanyan, Mykhailov win first titles

Tevanyan waited four years to be back at the European Championships and he made it memorable by winning the gold medal at 65kg.

In 2019, Tevanyan finished 11th but won the U23 world title, wrestled at the Olympics and World Championships and has wins over Aliyev and Izsmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) since.

Though he got the first point of the final, Naim, hoping to become his country's first freestyle European champion in 18 years, failed to challenge a strong Tevanyan.

In the gold medal bout, it was in the second period that Tevanyan scored the first takedown using an arm drag but he failed to get any turns.

Naim kept coming back at Tevanyan who countered one of those attempts and got a roll to make it 6-1. He added another takedown to extend the lead before a slip-by takedown and gut got him the gold 12-1.

“I am very happy because this is a very long-awaited medal,” he said. “Since 2018 [2019], I could not participate in the European Championships, which is why I am very happy, I have a lot of emotions and I am in an amazing mood.”

Though he has U17, U20 and U23 European titles, his resume lacked the senior title that Tevanyan believes is the most important.

“The senior is very different from other age categories because for me this is the real sport. My plans are to get to the Olympic Games and become the champion of the world. There will be training camps and we will get back in shape. I will do everything to achieve the best physical shape.”

The first opportunity to win a ticket to Paris will be the World Championships in Belgrade in September and Tevanyan will be one of the favorites to win a medal, perhaps a gold. And if he reaches the final, which opponent will he like to wrestle?

“No difference [to me],” he said. “If I'm in the final, it doesn't matter.”

Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) won the gold medal at 79kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Mykhailov ended a decade-long wait for Ukraine to have a freestyle European champion as he extended his unbeaten record against Georgis KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) who was the defending champion.

Pavlo OLIYNYK (UKR), who later represented Hungary, was the last European champion as he won the 96kg gold in 2013 in Tbilisi.

Kougioumtsidis, who became Grecee's first-ever champion last year, was hoping to repeat but Mykhailov shut him out completely.

The Ukrainian defeated Kougioumtsidis twice last year and was the favorite. He got a stepout and a takedown against the Greek's stepout. Despite the effort from Kougioumtsidis, Mykhailov remained in control.

He later explained why this win was low-scoring while his previous two were both technically superiorities before adding that this is just the beginning.

“The final is always very important so I didn’t risk a lot,” Mykhailov said. “This is very emotional. I’ve been going for the gold for a long time. But this is not the time to stop. This is the pre-Olympic year, we have to qualify.”

The gold was precious for the Ukrainian as he has been impacted by the war in his country.

“How to say, we train with no electricity,” he said. “There was a time when we trained with no electricity and no light for 6 months. I couldn’t train for about half a year. It was not possible at all. These are really tough moments. Not possible to explain.”

On his plans before the World Championships, Mykhailov didn't reveal much but he did say how he quenches his thirst after a grueling bout and a winner's interview.

“I’ll wrestle at some tournaments, we will make decisions with the coaches,” he said. “For now, I just want to drink some coke.”

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) df. Suleyman ATLI (TUR), 12-2

BRONZE: Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) df. Roberti DINGASHVILI (GEO), 10-0
BRONZE: Horst LEHR (GER) df. Simone PIRODDU (ITA), 2-2

65kg
GOLD: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Mikyay NAIM (BUL), 12-1

BRONZE: Edemi BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Stefan COMAN (ROU), 2-2
BRONZE: Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) df. Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE), 7-6

70kg
GOLD: Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL), 10-3

BRONZE: Ihor NYKYFORUK (UKR) df. Patryk OLENCZYN (POL), via fall
BRONZE: Vasile DIACON (MDA) df. Kevin HENKEL (GER), 7-2

79kg
GOLD: Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) df. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), 3-1

BRONZE: Ahmad MAGOMEDOV (MKD) df. Arman AVAGYAN (ARM), 7-4
BRONZE: Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) df. Sabuhi AMIRASLANOV (AZE), via injury default

97kg
GOLD: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) df. Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE), 4-3

BRONZE: Vladislav BAITCAEV (HUN) df. Benjamin HONIS (ITA), 10-6
BRONZE: Ibrahim CIFTCI (TUR) df. Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR), 12-3

#wrestlebishkek

Kusaka stuns Makhmudov, Bishkek crowd for Asian gold at Greco 77kg

Monday, April 15, 2024 - 16:50 By Ken Marantz

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 15) -- Nao KUSAKA (JPN) accomplished what he came to do, and silenced the Kyrgyzstan crowd by denying them what they most wanted to see. As a bonus, he also happened to spoil his opponent's 25th birthday.

Kusaka stunned reigning world and Asian champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) 4-2 in the Greco 77kg final at the Asian Championships on Monday in Bishkek, gaining revenge for a close loss to the Kyrgyz superstar in the semifinals at last year's World Championships.

"From the time I lost at the World Championships, I've been aiming at getting revenge," Kusaka said. "To win on the opponent's home soil is a major achievement in my wrestling life."

All five weight classes had the defending champion in action, but only the Iranian pair of Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) at 87kg and world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) at 130kg managed to hold onto their titles. For Alizadeh, it was a fourth straight gold, while Mirzazadeh earned the third of his career.

Yu Chol RO (PRK) knocked off defending champion Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) in the 55kg final to give the DPR Korea its second gold in its return to the continental championships after a five-year absence, while unheralded Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ) was a surprising champion at 63kg.

Nao KUSAKA (JPN) celebrates after beating Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) in Bishkek. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

For 2022 world U23 bronze medalist Kusaka, the memory he will take home of the crowd at Bishkek Arena falling silent after witnessing the vanquishing of two-time defending champion Makhmudov will be as valuable as the gold medal.

"It felt great," the 23-year-old said of turning the roars to a hush. "It's the best. As the 'heel', I have etched my name here. It's really a great feeling. It makes me glad I took up wrestling."

Kusaka's win came without actually scoring a technical point. He gained a passivity point and, while he was trying for a turn, Makhmudov was assessed a 2-point penalty for leg blocking after a challenge to put the Japanese up 3-0.

It seemed inevitable that Makhmudov would get his chance on top and when he did, his throw at the edge failed to turn Kusaka and he received only one point for a stepout. A challenge by the Kyrgyz side was denied, giving Kusaka a 4-2 lead that he made stick until the end.

"He got me into the air, but sometimes you get lucky and it's limited to only one point," Kusaka said. "My opponent is probably thinking, I'm glad it was here [and not the Olympics]. But to me, this is a big win."

The 7-5 loss he was dealt by Makhmudov last September in Belgrade has been both a source of irritation and inspiration. Anticipating the rematch, he has studied the video of the match religiously and intensified his training, including grueling sessions with sumo wrestlers to work on putting pressure on his opponents.

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After the World Championships, Kusaka spent a month on a self-funded training trip to Germany and Hungary with the aim of raising his level and gaining international experience ahead of the Paris Olympics. While there, he participated in Bundesliga matches and practiced with stars Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) and Zoltan LEVAI (HUN).

Even in Japan, Kusaka said he has to contend with the aura that emanates from Makhmudov, who also has an Olympic silver medal to his credit. Incidentally, Lorincz, who won the 77kg gold at the Tokyo Olympics after beating Makhmudov in the final, awarded the medals to the 77kg medalists in Bishkek.

"I've realized lately that in this internet world, Makhmudov has hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, while only a few Japanese have maybe tens of thousands," Kusaka said.

"He has videos of his big throws, and people around me say, 'Makhmudov is amazing! How can you beat a monster like that?' But I'm like, 'It's not really like that.'

"Anyway, if you think truly in your heart you can beat someone, it is not impossible. I think this win provides a good example for the wrestling community. I want to convey that if you stick to your beliefs, if you stick to your style, you can definitely be a world-beater. I want to prove that."

This year, he finished third at the Zagreb Open, where he lost to Levai in the fourth round. Before Paris, Kusaka intends to enter the Budapest Ranking Series in June in order to help his chances of being seeded at the Olympics.

Makhmudov had accepted the reality of the defeat and he is ready to move on.

"What happened, happened," he said. "I know that no matter how much I try, I won’t be able to change anything. I want to train harder in the future and prove that I’ve been coming back all the time and will come back again. There is a little time left before the Olympic Games, but I’ll try my best to compete successfully there."

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) won his third career Asian title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

In other action, Mirzazadeh showed once again how unstoppable he is from par terre, as he rolled Minseok KIM (KOR) two times for all the points he needed in a 5-0 victory in the 130kg final.

"I really practiced hard for this and tried a lot to be able to create a significant difference with the other competitors and it makes me happy," Mirzazadeh said.

It was the first time in three matches that the Iranian didn't end it with enough gut wrenches from par terre, but it still got the job done. Mirzazadeh had beaten Kim previously in the first round of the Tokyo Olympics, where he ended up taking a disappointing fifth by losing to the legendary Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in the bronze-medal match.

Mirzazadeh lost to Kayaalp again in the final of the 2022 worlds, but gained his revenge and his first world title in the gold-medal match last September in Belgrade. That makes him a leading candidate to end the hopes of Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) for an unprecedented fifth Olympic gold in Paris.

"I think it was a really great start for further preparation for the Olympics," Mirzazadeh said. "From tomorrow, when the competition ends, I have to start training and trying to make my people happy with the title in the Olympics."

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At 87kg, Alizadeh maintained his dominance of Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ), beating him at the Asian Championships for the fourth year in a row and in a second consecutive final.

Alizadeh was never really challenged and clinched a 5-0 victory with a 2-point throw from par terre at the edge in the second period.

Alizadeh had beaten Tursynov in the first round in both 2021 and 2022 before defeating him 8-0 in last year's final in Astana. The 33-year-old Tursynov does have an Asian gold medal, won back in 2014.

Yu Chol RO (PRK) defeated defending 55kg champion Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) in the final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 55kg, the DPR Korea's Ro, whose last appearance on the international wrestling scene ended with an eighth-place finish at the 2019 Asian Championships in Xi'an, made a big leap with a 9-0 victory to dethrone Iran's Dad Marz.

"Today is the biggest holiday in Korea -- 'The Day of the Sun' -- on this day, I wanted to gift my gold medal to my country and I would like to say thank you to my parents and friends," Ro said. "I would like to become the world champion."

Ro, put into par terre in the first period, took full advantage by reeling off a pair of rolls before Dad Marz appeared to squirm his way out of a third. But the Iranian was assessed a 2-point penalty for leg blocking to make it 7-0.

That caution also put Dad Marz back on the bottom, and Ro responded by muscling him over to end the match at 2:08 for his fourth technical fall in four matches.

Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ) hits a four-point throw against Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) in the 63kg final during the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In the 63kg final, Kazakhstan's Zharlykassyn came out of nowhere to snatch the gold with a nail-biting 6-6 victory on criteria over two-time 60kg bronze medalist Ayata SUZUKI (JPN).

Suzuki, the Asian Games silver medalist, started strong with an arm throw for 2 and a gut wrench. But his aggressiveness worked against him when Zharlykassyn countered an arm throw for a takedown, which he followed with a nifty 4-point throw that would end up being the criteria decider.

In the second period, Suzuki slipped out of a whizzer for a takedown to tie it up at 6-6, but all of his efforts to score the go-ahead point were thwarted.

"I was confident of not giving up points from standing," Suzuki said. "To give up points on my attack, and then the 4-pointer, I need to think more about the timing of my attack and the attack itself."

Prior to Monday, Zharlykassyn's only notable accomplishment was a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian U23 Championships -- won in a field with just four entries. He fell in the first round at the World U23 Championships in both 2022 and 2023.

Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) won the bronze medal at 55kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Albidhan takes bronze for Iraq's first medal since 2021

In the bronze-medal matches, Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) gave Iraq its first Asian medal in three years with an impressive victory by fall over Taemin KIM (KOR) at 55kg.

Albihan got two rolls off par terre in the first period, then turned Kim over after a takedown in the second before applying the finishing touch.

Iraq's last medal at the Asian Championships came in 2021 when Mustafa AL OBAIDI (IRQ) won a bronze medal in Freestyle 86kg. The last Greco-Roman medal came in 2020, won by Sajjad's elder brother Hussein, at 77kg in New Delhi.

Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ), the 2023 Asian U23 champion, picked up his first senior medal when he rode a five-point first period to a 5-2 victory over Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) for the other bronze at 55kg.

The highlight of the match may have been when Ortikboev actually scored with a "flying squirrel" -- the desperation move losing Greco wrestlers use at the end of a match in which they leap over their opponent on the unlikely chance they can grab on and roll them over.

At 63kg, Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI), who was dethroned as champion in the semifinals by Suzuki, assured he won't be going home empty-handed when he cruised to a 10-0 victory over Haodong TAN (CHN).

Mohammadi made the rare decision of opting to remain standing after receiving a passivity point in the first period, and it paid off with a stepout, after which he added a takedown. He repeated the process in the second period before ending the match in 4:38 with an arm-trap roll.

The other 63kg bronze went to Chan KIM (PRK), who was leading Dokyung JUNG (KOR) 9-2 when his opponent was forced to default in the second period after reaggravating a rib injury he had suffered earlier in the day.

In a battle of veterans at 87kg, Asian Games bronze medalist Masato SUMI (JPN) scored two gut wrenches from par terre en route to a 7-3 victory over Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ), giving the Japanese his first Asian medal since winning a silver in 2018. Azisbekov was denied a fourth career Asian medal.

Rahimjon UZOKOV (UZB) earned his first major medal with a 6-0 victory over Seunghwan LEE (KOR) for the other 87kg bronze. Ozokov's first points came from a head butt penalty at the beginning of the match, after which he scored a gut wrench from par terre for a 5-0 lead.

At 130kg, 2022 Asian U23 champion Erlan MANATBEKOV (KGZ) gained a passivity point and stepout, with a fleeing point tacked on, in the first period, and that was enough to vanquish Islomjon RAKHMATOV (UZB) 3-0. Rakhmatov ran out of gas in the second period and never pressed enough to get a chance at par terre.

Lingzhe MENG (CHN), last year's losing finalist at 130kg, completely overpowered Ganzolboo BUYANTOGTOKH (MGL), forcing him out at will for six stepouts which, combined with fleeing points tagged onto the final two, resulted in an 8-0 victory in 1:49.

At 77kg, Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), last year's 72kg champion, got a gut wrench from par terre and held on for a 4-3 victory over Amir ABDI (IRI). For what it's worth, it completes the full set of Asian medals for Magomadov, who was a silver medalist in 2020.

Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB) picked up the other 77kg bronze, wriggling out of the bottom of par terre to score a takedown and three consecutive rolls in the first period for an 8-3 victory over Yeonghun NOH (KOR).

Day 5 Results

Greco-Roman

55kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Yu Chol RO (PRK) df. Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) by TF, 9-0, 2:08

BRONZE: Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ) df. Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB), 5-2
BRONZE: Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) df. Taemin KIM (KOR) by Fall, 3:42 (9-0)

63kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ) df. Ayata SUZUKI (JPN), 6-6

BRONZE: Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) df. Haodong TAN (CHN) by TF, 10-0, 4:38
BRONZE: Chan KIM (PRK) df. Dokyung JUNG (KOR) by Inj. Def., 3:24 (9-2)

77kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) df. Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), 4-2

BRONZE: Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) df. Amir ABDI (IRI), 4-3
BRONZE: Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB) df. Yeonghun NOH (KOR), 8-3

87kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) df. Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ), 5-0

BRONZE: Rahimjon UZOKOV (UZB) df. Seunghwan LEE (KOR), 6-0
BRONZE: Masato SUMI (JPN) df. Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ), 7-3

130kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) df. Minseok KIM (KOR) by 5-0

BRONZE: Erlan MANATBEKOV (KGZ) df. Islomjon RAKHMATOV (UZB), 3-0
BRONZE: Lingzhe MENG (CHN) df. Ganzolboo BUYANTOGTOKH (MGL) by TF, 8-0, 1:49

Rzazade, Aliyev lead Azerbaijan charge at European Championships

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Kusaka stuns Makhmudov, Bishkek crowd for Asian gold at Greco 77kg