#WrestleBratislava

Sidakov vs Valiev set for European gold at 74kg

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 15:03 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 8) -- Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) will wrestle for the European gold medal for the first time in his career.

The four-time world champion, who last and only time wrestled at the European Championships in 2016, entered the 74kg final in Bratislava, Slovakia on Tuesday. He will take on Paris Olympic bronze medalist Chermen VALIEV (ALB) for the gold medal.

Sidakov defeated Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 2-0, in the 74kg semifinal after he took out four-time European champion Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), 4-2, in a close quarterfinal.

Valiev defeated Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) 6-0 in the other semifinal as he countered in style while keeping his attacks. He scored from leg-attack when Novruzov was on the activity clock and countered an attempted attack from Novruzov for another takedown.

A stepout made it 6-0 as Valiev booked his spot in the final against Sidakov, who won their last meeting 3-2 three years ago.

Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM)Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) battles Zelimkhan HARUTYUNYAN (ALB) in the 61kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 61kg, Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) moved to the final after beating Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) 5-2 in a thrilling semifinal. Harutyunyan scored a takedown and lace to lead 4-0 in the first period and maintained the lead for a long time before Abakarov hit a arm-throw for two points. Harutyunyan kept the 4-2 lead despite Abakarov's desperate attempts to score.

The four-time European champion will face Zavur UGUEV (UWW) for the gold medal after the Tokyo Olympic champion rocked Dzmitry SHAMELA (UWW) 10-0 in a one-sided semifinal. Mixing his attacks, Uguev hit a double-leg for four to finish the bout.

Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW)Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) hits a cradle throw on Artur NAIFONOV (UWW) in their 86kg semifinal during the European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

The 86kg final will between Olympic champion Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) and Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW), a rematch of the 2020 European final at 79kg which Kadzimahamedau won.

Kadzimahamedau had to pull out his iconic cradle for four to pull off a win over Artur NAIFONOV (GRE). He was trailing 3-2 when he hit the move and secured a 6-3 win.

Ramazanov entered the final after he had a field day in Bratislava. He secured a fall over over Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) in the semifinal. He was ahead 5-0 before a big double-leg attack for two points and figure-four turn made it 9-0. He held Jezierzanski on the back and secured the fall.

Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) returned to the European final, although in a new weight class. The Paris Olympic bronze medalist at 86kg was wrestling at 92kg and survived a scare against former European champion Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR), winning 3-3 on criteria.

Akturk fell behind 2-1 and scored a stepout with 10 seconds left on the clock to make it 2-2 but Kurugliev led on criteria for his takedown in the first period. Turkiye challenged the call asking for a takedown but lost the challenge to make 3-2 for Kurugliev.

Akturk scored another stepout but that was all he could do in the final 10 seconds and Kurugliev won 3-3.

He will take on Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) for the gold medal after the Azerbaijan wrestler defeated world silver medalist Mirani MAISURADZE (GEO) 5-2 in the other semifinal.

At 125kg, Paris Olympic bronze medalist Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) will clash with Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) for the gold medal after the two had to dug deep in the semifinals.

Meshvildishvili hung on for a 8-5 win over Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW) after the latter made it 6-5.

Manashvili scored a four-pointer to beat Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL), 8-3 and enter the gold medal bout.

RESULTS

61kg
GOLD: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs. Zavur UGUEV (UWW)

SF 1: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 5-2
SF 2: Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Dzmitry SHAMELA (UWW), 10-0

74kg
GOLD: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) vs. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW)

SF 1: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) df. Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE), 6-0
SF 2: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 2-0

86kg
GOLD: Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) vs. Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW)

SF 1: Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) df. Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL), via fall (9-0)
SF 2: Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) df. Artur NAIFONOV (UWW), 6-3

92kg
GOLD: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) vs. Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE)

SF 1: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 5-2
SF 2: Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) df. Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR), 3-3

125kg
GOLD: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) vs. Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO)

SF 1: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) df. Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW), 8-5
SF 2: Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) df. Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL), 8-3

#WrestleBudapest

Budapest Ranking Series 2026 Day 4 Highlights

Saturday, July 18, 2026 - 08:27 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 18) -- The fourth day of the Budapest Ranking Series will see four Women's Wrestling - 53kg, 57kg, 72kg and 76kg and two Greco-Roman weight classes - 72kg and 87kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 RESULTS

GR 87kg semifinals - An all Russian final is set at 87kg after Islam ALIEV (RUS) beats Beka MELELASHVILI (USA), 6-1, and Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS) gets a walkover from injured Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ).

GR 72kg semifinals - Rabil ASKEROV (RUS) starts with a stepout and then an arm-throw for four points gives him a 5-0 lead against Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO). Askerov then adds a takedown to lead 7-0 which he defends till the end of the clock and advance to the final. He will face another Georgian in the final after Nika BROLADZE (GEO) beats compatriot Mishiko ALEKSANDRIA (GEO), 4-2.

WW 76kg semifinals - Dymond GUILFORD (USA) scored a takedown and then turned Wenji LI (CHN) three times to win 8-0, a scoreless second period. Guilford will take on KAJAL (IND) after she defeated Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU). Kajal got the lead when Anghel was called passive before she scored two takedowns and extend it to 5-0. A feet-to-back for four points gave her a 9-0 win.

WW 57kg semifinals - Kexin HONG (CHN), the Asian champion, takes no time in completing a 10-0 technical superiority over Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE). Due to the long challenge review on Mat C, the other semifinal was delayed. Neha SHARMA (IND) scores two takedowns in the first period against Giullia PENALBAR (BRA) and then holds on to that lead for the win.

WW 53kg semifinals - Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) comes back in the second period with a big throw and pins Andreea ANA (ROU) to reach the final. On the other mat, Asian champion Jin ZHANG (CHN), down 6-0 against ANTIM (IND) also tried a fall but Antim defends for two points and then reverses the position for a point. When the time finishes, Antim leads 7-4 for the win but China challenges. On review, they add a point for Zhang's reversal but Antim still a 7-5 winner

Semifinals will begin at 13:30 hours local time

13:15: Asian champion Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) and Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) both score turns from par terre but the former scores it after Huklek to take the last-point criteria to complete a 3-3 win and enter the 87kg semifinals.

12:55: KAJAL (IND) with a snap and go-behind for a takedown against Shuiyan CHENG (CHN) after the China wrestler was put on activity clock. With a 3-0 lead, Kajal plays out the second period to win the 76kg bout 3-0

12:42: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) with a sweet pin over Madison PARKS (CAN) at 53kg. Malmgren witha takedown and then holds Parks on the mat with a turn to secure the fall.

12:33: ANTIM (IND) with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA) at 53kg. She scores all of her takedowns by pressuring the U.S. wrestlers out of position. Rodriguez fails to find any answers to Antim.

12:27: Tamas LEVAI (HUN) advances to the 87kg quarterfinals after a 7-0 win over Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ). Levai's par terre in the second period gave him a 3-0 lead from which he scored two turns to complete the win

12:25: After a long challenge review, Islam ALIEV (RUS) is the winner against Ali CENGIZ (TUR) at 87kg. Aliev with a takedown and turn to lead 4-0 and then gets par terre in the second period to make it 5-0. He throws Cengiz out of bounds for one points. Cengiz locks Aliev around the waist but the Russian counters with a front headlock throw for two points. Turkiye challenge that but lose and Aliev wins 9-0   

12:15: Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS) with three points in the second period to beat Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB), 4-3, in a tough 87kg bout. He got the par terre and a turn to build his lead in the match.

12:02: World and Asian silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) tried to hold on to her 1-1 criteria lead against Wenji LI (CHN) but the China wrestler gets to her legs, elevates it and pushes out Medet Kyzy with 2 seconds left and complete a 2-1 victory at 76kg.

11:58: Excellent pressure wrestling from ANTIM (IND) and she scores five takedowns with ease against Yuxuan LI (CHN) to complete a 10-0 technical superiority win and advance to the quarterfinals at 53kg in which she will face Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA)

11:50: Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA), who will be the United States representative at the World Championships, completes a 6-0 win over Nargiz SAMADOVA (AZE) with four points in first period and two in the second at 53kg.

11:37: Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) is looking solid as ever. The former European champion hits a double leg blast for four points and complete a 12-1 victory over Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) at 57kg

11:35: Asian champion Jin ZHANG (CHN) pins Asmar JANKURTARAN (AZE) after building an 8-0 lead and enter the quarterfinals at 53kg. Zhang uses both her leg lace and gut-wrench to score her points

11:30: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) chips away with three takedowns against NISHU (IND) to complete a controlled 6-2 victory and advance at 53kg.

11:20: Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) got the first par terre against Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) and then defended the par terre position when Bolkvadze got it in the second period. Down 1-1 on criteria, Bolkvadze challenged for a foul from Huklek during defense but none was confirmed on review, making Huklek a 2-1 winner at 87kg

11:05: In a Hungarian wrestle-off at 87kg, Istvan TAKACS (HUN) hangs on for a 2-1 victory over Tamas LEVAI (HUN) and takes a step towards making the team for the World Championships.

11:00: Tokyo Olympic medalist and former European champion Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) blanks Asian champion Mengyu XIE (CHN), 5-0, at 57kg.   

10:50: Asian champion at 67kg Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) falls to Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) after a 1-1 criteria loss. Khetsuriani with an escape when Beishekeev was working on par terre.

10:40: Early fireworks in Budapest. NISHU (IND) and Natia SVANIDZE (RUS) in a 21-point barn-burner. Svanidze raced to a 10-3 lead but Nishu with a stepout to add one point. Nishu then hits a four-pointer to close it to 10-7. With 14 seconds remaining, she adds a takedown on the edge before conforming an 11-10 with double-leg takedown in  last 5 seconds.