Tevanyan closer to first Euro title, Azerbaijan dominates Day 1

Monday, April 17, 2023 - 20:18 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (April 17) -- United World Wrestling commentator George RAMM explained what makes Vagzen TEVANYAN (ARM) successful at 65kg. On air for the European Championships, Ramm said that getting close to Tevanyan can prove catastrophic. Rather, one should stay in a standing position and force Tevanyan to open up. Ramm was speaking with experience as he had wrestled Tevanyan in 2019.

One would wish Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) knew this before his semifinal against Tevanyan at 65kg in Zagreb, Croatia. He played into Tevanyan's strengths and suffered a 12-4 loss.

The U23 world champion was wrestling at his first European Championships in four years as he last wrestled in 2019, finishing 11th. But his rise in the ranks in the last two years was once again underlined by his performance on Monday.

Since his last European Championships, Tevanyan has wrestled at the Olympics, won the Individual World Cup in 2020, and won the U23 Worlds in 2022 after being in the final in 2021. So a run to the final in Zagreb was expected.

Tevanyan reached his first-ever European Championships final after a fruitful day as he defeated Joshua FINESILVER (ISR) 10-0 in his opening bout and Ali RAHIMZADE (AZE) 4-1 in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinal against Arushanian, Tevanyan began with some solid defense before getting an arm drag and go behind, adding a gut wrench for a 4-0 lead. He then sat on that lead for some time even as Arushanian tried finding an opening.

But using his experience, Tevanyan got another takedown and roll to extend his lead 8-0. In the same sequence, he tried to push Arushanian out and thought he did but the Ukrainian hadn't stepped out and scored a takedown to cut the lead to 8-2 at the break.

Tevanyan got a single leg with an exceptional move which he converted into a stepout. Arushanian scored a takedown with a duck under to keep himself in the match, however, his next attempt was blocked by Tevanyan who scored a go behind. He added a stepout to win 12-4.

He will now be looking to place his name among the best in Europe by winning the gold on Tuesday.

Mikyay NAIM (BUL) reached the final at 65kg, confirming his first European medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Mikyay NAIM (BUL) will look to stop Tevanyan from doing so and create history himself by becoming his country's first freestyle European champion in 18 years. By reaching the final, he confirmed his first European medal.

Wrestling Stefan COMAN (ROU) in the semifinal, Naim scored via a step over and cartwheel, giving him four. Coman was also penalized for passivity and he got on a desperate takedown attempt which was easily countered by Naim who moved ahead with a 7-0 win.

With the 65kg defending champion Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) sitting out due to an infection and silver medalist Haji ALIYEV (AZE) moving up to 70kg, it gave a chance for others to seize the opportunity and win the title.

Moments after Naim reached the final, Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL) also reached the final, at 70kg after beating Ihor NYKYFORUK (UKR) 14-4 in the semifinal. He too will have a chance to end the 18-year title drought for Bulgaria on Tuesday.

In the semifinal, it did not look like easy sailing for Ramazanov at the start as Nykyforuk used a trap-arm gut for two and two. But as Nykyforuk fizzled out, Ramazanov got on the scoreboard with a takedown and added a turn using the bow-and-arrow technique.

An elbow pass in the second period gave him two more, and a gut wrench made it 8-4. Nykyforuk tried an ankle shot but he did not have the energy to stand up and push forward. Ramazanov happily scored a go-behind before closing out the bout 14-4.

With history on the line, Ramazanov will face his toughest test yet in three-time world champion Aliyev who reached the final from the other side of the bracket.

Haji ALIYEV (AZE) Trademark Haji ALIYEV (AZE) escape he performed in the 70kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Though not at 65kg, Aliyev still reached the final for a second consecutive year as he won the 70kg semifinal against Vasile DIACON (MDA) 4-1 and earned a shot at winning his fifth continental title, with the last two coming in 2019, one at European Championships and other at the Games in the same year.

The Tokyo Olympic silver medalist began his season at 70kg, incidentally at the Ranking Series in Zagreb and finished with a silver medal. He was expected to be at 65kg for the Euros but decided against it.

“This is my second tournament of the year,” Aliyev said. “The coaches have decided that I will move to 65kg for the Worlds championships. We were thinking that for this European Championships and other tournaments, it wasn't so important to cut weight. I think I am doing quite good at 70kg as well.”

Indeed that was the case as Aliyev managed to navigate through the field and reach the final with some controlled, yet aggressive wrestling, in Zagreb.

The prime example was in the semifinal as Aliyev teased Diacon, allowing him to get on the single leg on multiple occasions. However, he did not let Diacon score a single point. The only point scored by Diacon was Aliyev's passivity in the first period.

On one occasion, the Moldovan managed to get on a deep shot and transitioned into a standing go behind which Aliyev, as we have seen in the past, flexed his way out of the lock. Diacon was left stunned, thinking about what he needed to do to get Aliyev to give up a point. This is despite Aliyev wrestling at a weight class above his preferred category.

“It's a bit tough for me to wrestle in 70kg weight class,” he said. “They are physically very strong, they usually have to cut 4-5 kilos. I made the decision to wrestle technically and I think I tricked them and won.”

Those tricks were on display in the second period as well. Aliyev scored a takedown and took a step back in the second period, waiting for Diacon to initiate moves. Diacon got hold of Aliyev's legs four times but failed to finish, as if in awe of his fancied opponent's skills to defend every shot.

Aliyev managed a late takedown with a misdirection shot and got the 4-1 win, reaching his second straight final moments after another of his teammate did the same.

“The guy who qualified for the 57kg final was also at the European final last year,” he said about Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE). “I think we will have two more finalists today at 79kg and 97kg. Four finalists for us on the first day is okay.”

Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) made it to back-to-back European finals at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Aliyev was off by one though in his prediction. Apart from Rzazade, Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) reached the final at 97kg while Sabuhi AMIRASLANOV (AZE) suffered a defeat in the 79kg semifinal.

Rzazade will have a chance to win his first European Championships gold medal after returning to the final. He finished with a silver medal in 2022.

Rzazade dealt with a stiff semifinal against Simone PIRODDU (ITA) who almost upset the former U23 world champion.

After knocking off Horst LEHR (GER) via fall in the quarterfinal, Rzazade would have wished for an easier path to the final but Piroddu put on a fight despite giving up the first six points.

Rzazade burst into action with the word go and locked Piroddu's hands to get exposure for two. He then got a takedown and high gut for a 6-0 lead. At this point, Piroddu looked clueless. He took some time to regain his composure and then got to business, scoring a single-leg takedown to make it 6-2. A duck under made it 6-4 before Piroddu added a roll with an ankle pick to lead 6-6 criteria.

Piroddu began the second period with stepout to get an outright 7-6 lead. That was short-lived as Rzazade got a takedown but Piroddu scored a reversal. The lead, however, had switched hands and Rzazade led 8-8 on criteria.

A duck under attempt from Piroddu is countered by Rzazade with a chest wrap throw. It was scored two but Azerbaijan challenged the call and on review, it was changed to four points as he got the move from standing. It was easy to defend the 12-8 score from there and make the final.

Rzazade, who lost to Vladimir EGOROV (MKD) in the final last year, will face Suleyman ATLI (TUR), an even more challenging opponent.

Suleyman ATLI (TUR) Suleyman ATLI (TUR) reached his fifth straight European finals on Monday. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

A consistent performer at the European Championships, Atli reached his fifth straight final at the tournament and will now be looking for his third title. He had performed at 61kg last year and finished with a silver medal.

Fresh off the Ranking Series win in Alexandria, Atli scored a thrilling 5-4 win over Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) before dispatching Roberti DINGASHVILI (GEO) 13-1 in the semifinal.

Atli broke the deadlock with a takedown before Dingashvili scored a stepout to make it 2-1 at the break. But Atli broke loose in the second period with a deep shot and made it into a double leg to get two. He added two rolls to lead 8-1. He then scored a back exposure four to win 12-1. Georgia challenged and lost, adding one more point to the score.

Of the two silver medalists from the last edition, one is guaranteed gold this year.

Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) hits a double leg on Vladislav BAITCAEV (HUN) in the semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Magomed will be looking to defend his 97kg title as he faces Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) in the final Tuesday.

In a near-perfect performance on Monday, Magomed defeated Benjamin HONIS (ITA) 12-2, Samuel SCHERRER (SUI) 11-0 and Vladislav BAITCAEV (HUN) 6-0 in his three bouts.

Baitcaev and Magomed met in finals last year which the latter won and the story was similar on Monday as he defeated Baitcaev in the semifinal without much trouble.

He shot for a double leg early in the semifinal and then managed to turn Baitcaev just inside the zone to lead 4-0 at the break. Baitcaev never looked like in the bout and gave up another double in the second period and Magomed's 6-0 win took him to the finals.

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) defeated Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR) to reach the final at 97kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Matcharashvili will look to upset Magomed in what will be the battle of two world bronze medalists from 2022. The Georgian will fancy his chances against Magomedkhan, going by his performance so far.

He began with an 11-0 win over Radu LEFTER (MDA) before eking out a 4-3 win over Ibrahim CIFCTI (TUR) in the quarterfinals. Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR) was the next to fall against Matcharashvili in the semifinal.

Mchedlidze was called passive in the semifinal which gave the opening point to Matcharashvili who then got an outside single and scored a takedown after some resistance from Mchedlidze.

He got three turns from par terre and made it 9-0 and was interrupted on the fourth attempt as the time ran out. He gave up a stepout in the second period but that was all as he clinched the semifinal 9-1.

Earlier in the day, Mchedlidze stunned world silver medalist Batyrbek TCAKULOV (SVK) 6-4 in the opening round. Tcakulov was put on the shot clock and as he tried to shoot, Mchedlidze threw his legs behind and circled to score a takedown. He added two gut wrenches to lead 5-0.

Tcakulov got a double in the second period but failed to tie a leg lace and the two wrestlers went back into neutral. After spending too much time trying to find a way to score, Tcakulov hit another double-leg attack but Mchedlidze had his arm around Tcakulov's leg. He did get the two points to close the gap to 5-4 but had only 22 seconds to score a point and win.

Mchedlidze did enough to not get called by the referee for fleeing and Tcakulov failed to get any points. He did challenge a final scramble, hoping for a stepout but it was not to be.

Comeback kid

In what was the match of the day, defending champion Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) rallied from 10-2 to beat Arman AVAGYAN (ARM) 12-10 in an epic semifinal at 79kg.

Kougioumtsidis fell behind after Avagyan scored a takedown in the period. But both wrestlers were happy to keep it slow for the remaining time of the first period, a trend in their previous bouts as well.

But all hell broke loose in the second period as Avagyan went for a stunning ankle pick. He did not get any points but never let go of Kougioumtsidis' leg, ultimately scoring a takedown using a trip and adding a roll to make it 6-0 with 2:20 remaining on the clock.

Kougioumtsidids got on a single leg but Avagyan used back exposure to score four points to win 10-0. However, Greece challenged and won as the review showed that Kougioumtsidis also got exposure over Avagyan. He was awarded two points and Avagyan now led 10-2. This was with 1:58 remaining in the bout.

Avagyan then went into defensive as he struggled for breath and Kougioumtsidis scored a takedown by stepping over to cut the lead to 10-4. Both wrestlers were hand locked for a few seconds before Kougioumtsidis got the takedown. He did not try any other move and asked for the neutral position with 38 seconds left.

Kougioumtsidis got a go behind with 24 seconds and added two trap-arm guts even as Avagyan tried defending the roll. The match had turned on its head as Kougioumtsidis now led 12-10 with just 12 seconds left. Avagyan sat in disbelief as Kougioumtsidis celebrated an unexpected win after the 10-2 scoreline.

This was in contrast to the U23 World Championships bronze medal bout which Avagyan won 6-4 in October 2022. More recently, Avagyan defeated Kougioumtsidis 13-7 in the repechage of the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series event.

Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) reached the final at 79kg after beating Sabuhi AMIRASLANOV (AZE). (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Kougioumtsidis will now wrestle Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) in the final as the latter defeated
Sabuhi AMIRASLANOV (AZE) 5-2 in the other semifinal.

Amiraslanov reached the semifinal after beating U23 world champion Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) 10-0 while Mykhailov defeated Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) 8-1.

Mykhailov and Amiraslanov did not have a thrilling semifinal as the former controlled much of the action against an injured Amiraslanov who never felt he could complete the bout.

Mykhailov will be starting out as the favorite against Kougioumtsidis as he defeated the U23 European champion 10-0 twice last year -- in the quarterfinal of the World Championships and at the Matteo Pellicone.

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) vs. Suleyman ATLI (TUR)

SF 1: Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) df. Simone PIRODDU (ITA), 12-8
SF 2: Suleyman ATLI (TUR) df. Roberti DINGASHVILI (GEO), 13-1

65kg
GOLD: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) vs. Mikyay NAIM (BUL)

SF 1: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR), 12-4
SF 2: Mikyay NAIM (BUL) df. Stefan COMAN (ROU), 7-0

70kg
GOLD: Haji ALIYEV (AZE) vs. Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL)

SF 1: Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. Vasile DIACON (MDA), 4-1
SF 2: Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL) df. Ihor NYKYFORUK (UKR), 14-4

79kg
GOLD: Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) vs. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)

SF 1: Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) df. Sabuhi AMIRASLANOV (AZE), 5-2
SF 2: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) df. Arman AVAGYAN (ARM), 12-10

97kg
GOLD: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) vs. Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE)

SF 1: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) df. Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR), 9-1
SF 2: Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Vladislav BAITCAEV (HUN), 6-0

#WrestleZagreb

Kayaalp wins record equaling 12th European gold

Saturday, April 22, 2023 - 17:32 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (April 22) -- It's a monk-like walk for Riza KAYAALP (TUR) you have seen a million times over in the last 18 years. He emerges from the call room and walks slowly to the mat. A determined look on his face, there is no last-minute cracking of the fingers or rubs on his arms. He looks in the zone.

In Zagreb on Saturday, at stake is a European title. But for Kayaalp, a win will tie him with Aleksandr KARELIN (RWF), a 12-time European champion, apart from being a three-time Olympic and nine-time world champion.

The 12 titles are the most for a wrestler in Europe. No one has been able to come close to that record of Karelin. Until Kayaalp, who had 11 golds till Saturday.

As Kayaalp walks to the center of the mat, standing in front of him is Sabah SHARIATI (AZE), a wrestler taller than Kayaalp. But that's it. That's the only advantage Shariati has against Kayaalp.

Kayaalp, battling a hamstring injury, will push around Shariati before defending a one-point lead for more than 90 seconds to claim a record-equaling 12th European gold medal. For a record that many thought will never be broken, Kayaalp has equaled it.

The traditionalist will remind Kayaalp of Karelin's nine world titles. Some fans will call for Kayaalp's losses against four-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and call the Cuban better.

Kayaalp and Karelin have different wrestling styles. One is built like a giant human, taller than all the average ones you meet. He would pick wrestlers for fun and do the famous reverse left as if it was child's play. He terrorized his opponents.

Kayaalp has none of that. He works on his opponents, sometimes forcing them to take an upper hand. Then he comes back in the second period to secure those criteria wins. He gut-wrenches those massive bodies with ease. And he is the most well-groomed wrestler that steps on the mat. Maybe Yunus BASAR (TUR) comes close.

But it's not Kayaalp's fault that he is compared to Karelin or Lopez. It's not Kayaalp's fault that he was born in an era with a different rule set of wrestling and more countries. It's definitely not Kayaalp's fault that he'll break wrestling records set by some of the best wrestlers in history.

At the Zagreb Arena on April 22, he was the best.

Riza KAYAALP (TUR) tries to score over Sabah SHARIATI (AZE) in the 130kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

As the mountain-like bodies of Kayaalp and Shariati collide, Kayaalp's force wakes up Shariati who seemed slow to start. But he quickly springs to action. The only problem is that Kayaalp is too strong to be pushed around.

43 seconds into the bout, Kayaalp has the first point – a stepout after he pushes Shariati out of the zone. Shariati was always in danger of conceding a stepout as he barely came close to the center of the mat.

Shortly after, the referee declares Shariati passive and he is forced into par terre. Kayaalp is up 2-0 and if he can execute a turn here, it could seal the match. He builds up momentum by moving toward the right. No turns for Kayaalp despite getting 30 seconds on the top.

The second period opens with both wrestlers adopting a more aggressive approach. Kayaalp and Shariati are trying hard to push each other. This time, Kayaalp is called passive. Shariati has a chance to win this as the forced par terre gives him one point. An additional point would boost his chances of victory.

A turn from a par terre can be it. Shariati takes forever to get his hands locked around the mammoth Kayaalp. He builds momentum but is unable to budge Kayaalp.

A minute and a half to go before the end, Kayaalp is in visible pain as he clutches on to his hamstring. But he is aware that he needs to defend his lead. He battles on in pain, blocks Shariati, and even gets warned for locking fingers, but he keeps going.

And as the referee sounds the final whistle, Kayaalp falls to the mat. He holds his hamstring and shakes his head, as if to say this wasn't the best idea. It takes him 30 seconds to get back on his feet. The referee raises his hand and Kayaalp becomes the 12-time European champion.

There have been worse days for Kayaalp physically, but he had to wrestle in the final at the European Championships, even if it meant more suffering for his already immobilized body. He had to do it for the fans who consider him a national hero, for the victims of the earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria in February [of which Kayaalp was one of the first to join the rescue operations], and for his daughter back in Ankara, who addressed him as "champion, champion" before he left for Zagreb.

A subdued celebration shows him walking with the Turkish flag. He then calmly steps off the mat before waving toward the stands. A loud cheer erupts in the Zagreb Arena. It may not be a perfect win for five-time world champion, but for his fans, he is on par with Karelin, at least in Europe.

Adem UZUN (TUR) celebrates after beating Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) in the 55kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Turkiye's other star of the day was Adem UZUN (TUR) who surprised himself and everyone in Zagreb by capping off his dream run with a gold medal over defending European and world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE).

Uzun was definitely the find of the tournament as he defeated European and world silver medalist Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) in the semifinals and followed that up with a technical superiority, 11-3, victory over Azizli to capture his first European title.

Azizli got the activity point in the first period he managed to score two points from par terre to take a 3-0 lead against Uzun. In the second period, Uzun got the par terre advantage and executed the trap-arm gut to roll Azizli five times and secure the win.

Azizli called for medical attention as soon as the final was finished. He complained of pain in his elbow and chest area, something he has previously experienced as well.

That did not stop Uzun from celebrating a well-deserved gold medal in his debut European Championships and he did it in domination fashion as all three of his wins in Zagreb were via technical superiorities.

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Amoyan, Abuladze repeat

Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) had no business winning the 77kg gold medal as he trailed 4-2 with just 13 seconds left. The defending champion was down two points against Viktor NEMES (SRB) who had his second European title in his hands.

But it was not to be. Amoyan launched an overhead jump and managed to land Nemes on his back, a move popularly known as the Flying Squirrel, to script a comeback that left Zagreb in awe.

"I thought that was four points. I didn’t really see if the leg was there or not," Amoyan said. "At the moment I can’t even describe my feelings. It was very unpredictable. I couldn’t really believe it. But when I saw the points, I was very happy. I really wanted to win. I would say that I came to the European championships to win the gold medal."

Apart from that one moment of brilliance from Amoyan, the final was dominated by Nemes. He scored a turn from par terre to take a 3-0 lead and added a pushout to make it 4-0 at the break. Furthermore, he defended from his par terre position, not conceding a single point.

With 17 seconds left in the match, Amoyan stepped back to gain momentum for the jump and brought down Nemes with a back exposure for four points. Nemes, expectedly, challenged the call, but the original decision stood. A point was added to Amoyan's score for the lost challenge.

"I believed in myself till the very end. And I did it," he said.

The U23 world champion ran to his corner to celebrate the improbable win, hugging his coach Roman AMOYAN (ARM), a two-time European champion and bronze medalist from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Amoyan won his world title at 72kg in 2021 but moved to the Olympic weight class of 77kg last year. He finished with a bronze medal in Belgrade but wants to win the gold this year.

"I don’t like to think ahead, but I will do everything to win the World Championships gold and then start getting ready for the Olympics," he said. "There is no such opponent, who I really want to wrestle against. I am prepared for anyone in any weight class. 77kg weight class is one of the toughest, you never know who is going to win."

Leri ABULADZE (GEO) scores the four points on Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE). (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 63kg, in a repeat of the 2022 final, Leri ABULADZE (GEO) defeated Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) for a second straight year to win the gold. Last year, Abuladze got one turn from par terre to win 3-1. In Saturday's final, he got one big throw from par terre to beat Mammadov 5-1.

Mammadov got the first par terre and attempted a turn but Abuladze, perhaps with fresh legs, prevented him from scoring any points. But when Abuladze got the par terre advantage, he lifted Mammadov using the same hand-to-elbow grip to score a four-point throw.

Mammadov got the first par terre and attempted a turn, but Abuladze defended well and prevented him from scoring.

Abuladze now has two European Championships gold medals, a bronze medal, a U23 world title and two silver medals at the World Championships. At the U17 and U20 levels, Abuladze has won silver medals at the World Championships.

Among all of his goals this year, winning the senior world title is at the top of the list.

"I am number one in the ranking," Abuladze said. "The World Championships are in September. I've lost matches in the last two years, and I've lost two finals. Now I'm more motivated, not double but triple, to become the world champion."

Since 63kg is not an Olympic weight class, will Abuladze go down to 60kg or bump up to 67kg in a bid to go to Paris?

"I'm thinking about taking part in the Olympic Games in Paris," he said. "But as I told you, I'm going to rest first and I can't say anything for sure in advance. I will have consultations with the coaches and we will decide all this. I would like to take this moment to wish the entire Muslim world a wonderful Eid-al-Fitr."

Istvan TAKACS (HUN) celebrates after winning the 87kg final at the European Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Hungary also got a gold medal from the first set of the Greco-Roman finals as U23 world champion Istvan TAKACS (HUN) won his first European title with a 5-2 win over Ali CENGIZ (TUR).

Takacs' performance in Zagreb was underlined by the fact that he defeated Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) 3-2 in the quarterfinals and Damin VON EUW (SUI) 5-1 in the semifinals.

In the final, however, he was in trouble as he got countered by Cengiz when he was trying to get a throw from par terre. Cengiz managed to put his feet on the mat and Takacs lost momentum, falling onto his back. The referees deemed it a leg foul from Cengiz and awarded two points for Takacs. But after a challenge, the decision was reversed and Cengiz led 2-1 at the break.

Takacs was more attacking in the second period and was awarded when he countered Cengiz's attack for a takedown from the side. Cengiz grabbed Takacs' singlet and was penalized two points. The bout resumed in par terre but no more points were scored, giving Takacs a 5-2 win over Cengiz.

Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) reached the final at 97kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Aleksanyan returns to finals

Out of the seven 2022 European Championships finalists who were in action on Saturday, only two made it to the finals on a thrilling day in Zagreb.

At 60kg, in what promises to be an exciting matchup, Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) and Victor CIOBANU (MDA) will face off in the final after both dominated their bouts including the semifinals.

Returning silver medalist Nazaryan, son of former Olympic champion Armen NAZARYAN (BUL), defeated Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM) 5-1 in the semifinal while Ciobanu, a world champion from 2021, returned to the 60kg category after almost two years at 63kg and overcame Georgii TIBILOV (SRB) 5-2 in the other semifinal.

But the bout of the day was in the quarterfinals when Ciobanu pinned defending champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR) after the score was 17-8.

The only other finalist to make it to the final in Zagreb as well was Kiril MILOV (BUL) who will wrestle world champion Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) in the 97kg for the gold medal.

Milov gave no chance to Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) in the semifinal and won 7-0. Aleksanyan is returning to the European Championships for the first time since 2020 when he won gold. He defeated Artur OMAROV (CZE) 9-0 in the semifinal.

Aleksanyan, Olympic champion from 2016 and silver medalist in Tokyo, will be hoping to win his sixth European title.

At 67kg, 20-year-old Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) stormed to his first European final with a 7-1 win over defending champion Murat FIRAT (TUR) in the semifinals. Already a world bronze medalist, Jafarov will face Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) in the final. Khetsuriani, who finished fifth at the World Championships, defeated Mihai MIHUT (ROU), 10-1.

Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) became the first Greco-Roman wrestler from France to reach the European final since 1997. And he made the moment even more memorable as he achieved the feat by beating world champion Ali ARSALAN (SRB) 6-3 in the 72kg semifinal.

He will now aim to become the first European champion from France since 1995 and for that, he will have to overcome Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE). The world silver medalist defeated Selcuk CAN (TUR) 2-1 in the other semifinal.

At 82kg, world champion Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) pinned defending European champion Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) in the semifinal to reach his first final at the event. He will now face Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) who overcame Mihail BRADU (MDA), 3-1, in the other semifinal.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Adem UZUN (TUR) df. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), 11-3

BRONZE: Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) df. Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM), 9-0
BRONZE: Denis MIHAI (ROU) df. Stefan GRIGOROV (BUL), 7-1

63kg
GOLD: Leri ABULADZE (GEO) df. Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-1

BRONZE: Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) df. Jacopo SANDRON (ITA), 1-1
BRONZE: Abu AMAEV (BUL) df. Mehmet CEKER (TUR), 6-2

77kg
GOLD: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Viktor NEMES (SRB), 6-4

BRONZE: Yunus BASAR (TUR) df. Oliver KRUEGER (DEN), 8-0
BRONZE: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) df. Alexandrin GUTU (MDA), via inj. def.

87kg
GOLD: Istvan TAKACS (HUN) df. Ali CENGIZ (TUR), 5-2

BRONZE: Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 3-0
BRONZE: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) df. Damian VON EUW (SUI), 5-2

130kg
GOLD: Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Sabah SHARIATI (AZE), 2-1

BRONZE: Oskar MARVIK (NOR) df. Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU), via fall (7-2)
BRONZE: Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) df. Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU), 1-1

Day 6 Semifinals

60kg
GOLD: Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) vs. Victor CIOBANU (MDA)

SF 2: Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) df. Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM), 5-1
SF 1: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) df. Georgii TIBILOV (SRB), 5-2

67kg
GOLD: Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) vs. Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)

SF 1: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df. Murat FIRAT (TUR), 7-1
SF 2: Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) df. Mihai MIHUT (ROU), 10-1

72kg
GOLD: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) vs. Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE)

SF 1: Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) df. Selcuk CAN (TUR), 2-1
SF 2: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) df. Ali ARSALAN (SRB), 6-3

82kg
GOLD: Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) vs. Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR)

SF 1: Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) df. Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE), via fall
SF 2: Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) df. Mihail BRADU (MDA), 3-1

97kg
GOLD: Kiril MILOV (BUL) vs. Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Artur OMAROV (CZE), 9-0
SF 2: Kiril MILOV (BUL) df. Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA), 7-0

Tevanyan closer to first Euro title, Azerbaijan dominates Day 1

Comments

Kayaalp wins record equaling 12th European gold