Tasmuradov Puts Aside Pain, Korean Opponent to Chalk up 5th Asian Gold

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 - 18:36 By Ken Marantz

NEW DELHI (Feb. 18)---How tough is Olympic bronze medalist Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB)? He just won a fifth gold medal at the Asian Championships two weeks after breaking a rib.

“It’s still healing,” Tasmuradov said after demolishing SONG Jinseub (KOR) in the Greco-Roman 63kg final on the opening day of this year’s continental tournament Tuesday in New Delhi. “I wanted to go for a fall so that I wouldn’t have to do the par terre.”

In other finals, Kumar SUNIL (IND) gave the host nation its first Asian Greco-Roman gold in 27 years, while a pair of recent world junior champions gave Iran victories in two of the three other gold-medal matches.

In regaining the Asian crown he last won in 2018, Tasmuradov wasn’t able to secure a fall, but got the next best thing, scoring a 9-0 technical fall in 1:33 that included a big 4-point lift and gave him an eighth career Asian medal overall.

Tasmuradov was back at his regular weight at 63kg , where he said he felt more “comfortable,” after qualifying for this year’s Tokyo Olympics at 60kg by placing fifth at last year’s World Championships in Nur-Sultan.

The 2018 world silver medalist said missing out on a medal in Nur-Sultan was irrelevant, given that he achieved what he had set out to do.

“I planned to go and just qualify for Tokyo,” he said. “I didn’t aim to take a medal, because I’m not a young wrestler. So I went to just qualify and I did it.”

Asked to comment on earning his fifth Asian gold in the Indian capital, site of his first title in 2013 with a last-second win over Abdol PAPI (IRI), he replied, “I don’t feel anything,” he said. “My mind is just on the Tokyo Olympics.”

Tasmuradov lost a shot at winning his fifth title last May in Xi’an, China, when he suffered a severe back injury and had to default in the final to TUO Erbatu (CHN). The fact that he continued to wrestle until the pain became so intense he had to be helped off the mat showed the tenacity that has made him so successful – and allows him to shrug off a mere broken rib.

Kumar SUNIL (IND) tosses Azat SALIDINOV (KGZ) in the 87kg gold-medal match. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Meanwhile, Sunil, a silver medalist at Xi’an 2019, showed an effective combination of stamina and power in handily defeating Azat SALIDINOV (KGZ) 5-0 in the 87kg final.

That gave India its first Greco gold since Yadav POPPU (IND) won at 48kg in 1993 in Hiroshima, a drought of which Sunil was unaware until told about it just before the final.

“I didn’t know about the record,” he said. “India had not the gold medal in 27 years. I got to know about it only before the final and it motivated me a lot.”

In the final, Sunil gained a passivity point and converted the par terre advantage into a 3-0 lead with a roll in the first period. In the second, he kept the pressure on and forced two stepouts to secure the victory.

“I have wrestled him in the junior category before,” Sunil said of Salidinov.. “So I was confident of beating him again. He is not strong in the upper body. So it was great to win the final.”

For Sunil, who finished second at the Matteo Pellicone ranking event in January, the bigger accomplishment came in the semifinals in the afternoon session, when he came back from an 8-1 deficit to defeat Azamat KUSTUBAYEV (KAZ) 12-8 – just as he did in the 2019 semifinals.

“The semifinal was the toughest bout for me,” Sunil said. “I was trailing against him at the last Asian Championships as well, but I beat him. Now I beat him here, but this win is sweeter because I was trailing 1-8 here.”

Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI) cruised past Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) in the 55kg finals with an 8-0 victory. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

In the 55kg final, 2018 world junior champion Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI) rolled to an 8-0 technical fall over Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB), just hours after he nearly fainted from exhaustion at the conclusion of a wild semifinal victory.

The team doctor said Naserpour suffered from low blood sugar after rallying from 7-1 down to beat Arjun HALAKURKI (IND) 7-7 in the semifinals. But after ingesting electrolytes from sports drinks, eating lunch and resting, Naserpour was able to recover in time for the final.

Naserpour used counter wrestling to score takedowns in both periods. After the second, he put together two gut-wrench rolls to end the match at 4:16.

“In the final, my body felt very good,” Naserpour said. “I trained very hard for six months and I’m happy to win the gold.”

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) defeated 2018 world bronze medalist KIM Minseok (KOR) 9-0 in the 130kg gold medal match. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI), also a world junior champion in 2018, kept the 130kg title in Iranian hands for the fifth consecutive year after overwhelming 2018 world bronze medalist KIM Minseok (KOR) by 9-0 technical fall.

Mirzazedeh put together three rolls from the par terre position, then ended the match at 2:02 with a snap-down takedown.

Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ) prevented a trifecta of Iranian golds when he captured the 77kg tile with a 10-1 technical fall of world military champion Pejman POSHTAM (IRI).

Shadukayev, a bronze medalist at Xi’an 2019, moved to the top step of the podium when a takedown gave him the decisive points to end the match with 10 seconds left in the first period.

“Last year, I won the bronze medal, so I was sad,” Shadukayev said. “Now, I won the gold medal, so I’m very happy. It’s a big thing for me.”

In the bronze-medal matches, Shadukayev’s brother Mansur gave the family more hardware when he defeated Arata SONODA (JPN) by 9-1 technical fall at 130kg, one of three bronzes won by Kazakhstan.

Khorlan ZHAKANSHA (KAZ) finished third for the second year in a row at 55kg, while Kustubayev shook off his loss to Sunil to take home a bronze at 87kg. Halakurki won the other bronze at 55kg.

Iraq earned the 14th Asian medal in its history and first since 2018 when Hussein ALBIDHAN (IRQ) defeated Sultan Ali EID (JOR) by 12-4 technical fall at 77kg. Eid was aiming to become just the fourth Jordanian to win an Asian medal.

Kyrgyzstan captured a pair of bronzes from Renat ILIAZ UULU (KGZ) at 77kg and Roman KIM (KGZ) at 130 kg, while the 63kg bronzes went to Mubinjon AKHMEDOV (TJK) and world U-23 champion Meysam DALKHANI (IRI).

In an unusual twist, there was only one bronze at 87kg. Losing semifinalist Behrooz HEDAYAT (IRI) suffered a bad ankle sprain and could not appear in the consolation match, but there was no opponent to face anyway as both of the other wrestlers in the repechage bracket defaulted due to injury.

Day 1 Finals

Greco-Roman

55kg (9 entries)
GOLD - Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI) df. Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) by TF, 8-0, 4:16
BRONZE – Arjun HALAKURKI (IND) df. WON Donghyeok (KOR), 7-4
BRONZE – Khorlan ZHAKANSHA (KAZ) df. Sahatsawat PHUANGKAEO (THA) by TF, 10-1, 1:46

63kg (10 entries)
GOLD - Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) df. SONG Jinseub (KOR) by TF, 9-0, 1:33
BRONZE – Mubinjon AKHMEDOV (TJK) df. Mohammad ALAJMI (KUW) by Fall, 1:50 (7-2)
BRONZE – Meysam DALKHANI (IRI) df. Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), 2-0

77kg (13 entries)
GOLD - Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ) df. Pejman POSHTAM (IRI) by TF, 10-1, 2:50
BRONZE – Hussein ALBIDHAN (IRQ) df. Sultan Ali EID (JOR) by TF, 12-4, 5:10
BRONZE – Renat ILIAZ UULU (KGZ) df. Bekhzod UMAROV (UZB), 5-0

87kg (9 entries)
GOLD - Kumar SUNIL (IND) df. Azat SALIDINOV (KGZ), 5-0
BRONZE – Azamat KUSTUBAYEV (KAZ) df. Takahiro TSURUDA (JPN), 3-1
(Only one bronze due to injury defaults)

130kg (8 entries)
GOLD - Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) df. KIM Minseok (KOR) by TF, 9-0, 2:02
BRONZE – Roman KIM (KGZ) df. Singh MEHAR (IND), 3-2
BRONZE – Mansur SHADUKAYEV (KAZ) df. Arata SONODA (JPN) by TF, 9-1, 4:10

#WrestleBaku

Murtazaliev defends U23 European gold; Azerbaijan wins Greco team title

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - 19:29 By United World Wrestling Press

BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 22) -- Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN) fell on his knees. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) looked around in a daze, his hands on the back of his head. Both breathing heavily, both barely able to walk any extra step than needed.

This was a fight for the gold medal between the two giants of the Greco-Roman 97kg category. Murtazaliev, a senior European Championship silver medallist and defending champion of the U23 continental tournament but missing out on a Paris Olympics spot. Khaslakhanau, a senior European bronze medallist, looking for his maiden U23 title, which would have been a perfect boost for his Olympic preparations.

After grueling six minutes, which tested the strength and stamina of both wrestlers to the limit, it was Murtazaliev who finished on top. The 23-year-old defeated Khaslakhanau 4-1 to defend his title here in Baku.

Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN) defends a throw from Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) in the 97kg Greco-Roman final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Murtazaliev made all the early moves, using an underhook in search for a proper grip over Khaslakhanau. Shortly after one minute, the Paris Olympics-bound wrestler was penalized for passivity. Murtazaliev got a point for that and then used a strong gut-wrench for two points despite some exceptional defense from his opponent.

Khaslakhanau had his moments including the par terre in the second period. He completed a throw but Murtazaliev did not land in danger, forcing Khaslakhanau to challenge but to no avail. Murtazaliev used all his might to defend his 4-1 lead and ensure he ended the evening with a gold medal hanging around his neck.

Murtazaliev and Khaslakhanau embraced each other after the end of the bout when they left the mat. But it was the home wrestlers that celebrated the most as Azerbaijan won the team title with 163 points. Georgia finished second with 138 points and Turkiye was third with 135 points.

Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 82kg gold medal in Baku. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

The major contribution to Azerbaijan’s team title came from Gurban GURBANOV (AZE), who beat Islam ALIEV (AIN) 8-2 in an action-packed bout to win his second successive title.

But the scoreline hardly captures the drama that unfolded.

Only 30 seconds into the bout, Gurbanov requested a challenge, accusing Aliev of blocking using his hands on legs. The challenge was upheld and Aliev was cautioned, with the defending champion awarded two points.

That, however, was only the beginning. A minute later, Gurbanov had the par terre advantage, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Those in the stands had more to cheer for after Gurbanov used a high gut to turn Aliev and extend his lead to 5-1.

Desperate to reduce his deficit, Aliev threw the kitchen sink at his rival. He got the par terre but failed to score and even asked for a challenge for blocking by Gurbanov only to see him lose one more point for a lost challenge. Just then, however, things started to get heated. A minute into the second round, Gurbanov alleged that Aliev pushed him out of the mat – and over the podium. The momentum carried the home favorite behind the judge’s table and as he walked back onto the mat, he held his left leg and looked in some discomfort.

After a stepout, Aliev head-butted Gurbanov with 1:33 left on the clock. He was awarded two points for dangerous play as Aliev received another caution.

The penalty points combined gave Gurbanov enough cushion to defend his lead in the closing moments and although Aliev did not give up, it was too big a gap to close down. Amidst a din, Gurbanov draped his country’s flag around his shoulders and took a lap of honor.

Mert ILBARS (TUR), behind, scored the match-winning stepout against Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) from this position. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Azerbaijan very nearly celebrated a second gold medal of the night. However, Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) came up agonizingly short against Mert ILBARS (TUR) in the 60kg final, losing 2-1.

Both wrestlers produced strong defensive performances, but the bout was anything but defensive. Guluzade, in particular, would leave the tournament with a feeling of ‘what if’. After the two wrestlers exchanged points for par terre with Ilbars leading 1-1 on criteria, Guluzade got the third par terre position late in the bout. The third call only offers position advantage and no points but Ilbars didn’t allow his opponent a proper grip and instead forced a remarkable turnaround to get into an attacking position and score a point from a push out.

For the rest of the bout, Ilbars defended as if his life depended on it and came out on top by the narrowest of margins.

Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) celebrates after winning the 72kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Meanwhile, Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) beat Vilius SAVICKAS (LTU) 8-0 to win the gold medal in the 72kg category and add a second U23 European title. That win propelled Georgia over Turkiye in the team title race.

Turkiye could have finished second had Azat SARIYAR (TUR) won the 67kg 67kg final. Instead, Daniial AGAEV (AIN) rolled to an 11-1 technical superiority win to capture the gold at 67kg.

Defending champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) reached the 55kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Malmgren on course to defend her title

Women’s wrestling star Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) stayed on course to winning her second consecutive U23 title after she reached the 55 kg category final.

Malmgren, one of the contenders for the Paris Olympics, was the odds-on favorite to defend her crown in Baku and it didn’t take long to understand why. The two-time senior European champion, who added a silver this year, was dominant in all her bouts, scoring 22 points and conceding just two.

The 22-year-old Swede will face Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), who has already improved on her performance from last year’s continental championship but will be hoping for a top-of-the-podium finish, which would also be her best-ever performance.

Vynnyk will be one of the three Ukrainian wrestlers who will have a shot at the gold medal on Thursday. In 68kg, Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) will take on Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (AIN) in the title round whereas Mariia ORLEVYCH (UKR) will face Laura KUEHN (GER) in the 76kg final.

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD: Mert ILBARS (TUR) df. Nihad GULUZADE (AZE), 2-1

BRONZE: Dinislam BAMMATOV (AIN) df. Olivier SKRZYPCZAK (POL), 6-3
BRONZE: Melkamu FETENE (ISR) df. Georgios SCARPELLO (GER), 4-3

67kg
GOLD: Daniial AGAEV (AIN) df. Azat SARIYAR (TUR), 11-1

BRONZE: Oleg KHALILOV (UKR) df. Yanis GUENDEZ NIFRI (FRA), 2-2
BRONZE: Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df. Dimitar GEORGIEV (BUL), 9-1

72kg
GOLD: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df. Vilius SAVICKAS (LTU), 8-0

BRONZE: Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE) df. Petar GORNYASHKI (BUL), 7-4
BRONZE: Vasile ZABICA (MDA) df. Giovanni ALESSIO (ITA), 5-4

82kg
GOLD: Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) df. Islam ALIEV (AIN), 8-2

BRONZE: Deni NAKAEV (GER) df. Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA), 4-1
BRONZE: Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE (FRA) df. Leon RIVALTA (ITA), via fall (11-4)

97kg
GOLD: Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN) df. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN), 4-1

BRONZE: Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) df. Aapo VIITALA (FIN), 11-0
BRONZE: Anton VIEWEG (GER) df. Luka KATIC (SRB), 3-1

Women's Wrestling Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Natallia VARAKINA (AIN) vs. Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR)

SF 1: Natallia VARAKINA (AIN) df. Ana PIRVU (ROU), 10-0
SF 2: Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR) df. Gabija DILYTE (LTU), 6-4

55kg
GOLD: Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) vs. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE)

SF 1: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) df. Mihaela SAMOIL (MDA), via fall (8-0)
SF 2: Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) df. Aliaksandra BULAVA (AIN), 11-0

59kg
GOLD: Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (AIN) vs. Alesia HETMANAVA (AIN)

SF 1: Alesia HETMANAVA (AIN) df. Ana Maria PUIU (ROU), 11-0
SF 2: Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (AIN) df. Sevim AKBAS (TUR), 5-1

68kg
GOLD: Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) vs. Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (AIN)

SF 1: Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (AIN) df. Sophia SCHAEFLE (GER), via fall (6-0)
SF 2: Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) df. Karolina POK (HUN), 2-0

76kg
GOLD: Laura KUEHN (GER) vs. Mariia ORLEVYCH (UKR)

SF 1: Mariia ORLEVYCH (UKR) df. Nazar BATIR (TUR), 3-2
SF 2: Laura KUEHN (GER) df. Olga KOZYREVA (AIN), 9-8

Tasmuradov Puts Aside Pain, Korean Opponent to Chalk up 5th Asian Gold

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Murtazaliev defends U23 European gold; Azerbaijan wins Greco team title