#WrestleSkopje

Three Gold, Three Finalists as Russia Close-in on Greco-Roman title

By Vinay Siwach

Russia took a step closer to winning the Greco-Roman team title after entering three more wrestlers in the finals apart from winning three gold and two bronze medals on the penultimate day of the U23 European Championships.

The three gold medals are already a better record than the last U23 Euros in which Russia claimed only two gold of 10.

They have a chance to double that on Sunday as Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS), Shamil OZHAEV (RUS) and Artur SARGSIAN (RUS) entered the final at 60kg, 82kg and 97kg.

Ukraine and Hungary also managed to advance two wrestlers each to the finals while Turkey, Armenia and Georgia got one each at the Jane Sansadski Arena in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Led by the senior Russian Championships silver medalist Allakhiarov, Russia had four wrestlers in the semifinal with Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS) falling short.

Allakhiarov wrestled junior World Championships silver medalist Tigran MINASYAN (ARM) in the semifinal at 60kg and made it look easy with his control of the center. Minasyan was the first to attack but Allakhiarov countered with a body lock throw for four points. A stepout made it 5-0.

The Russian performed a takedown in the second period to lead 7-0 and almost had the fall but Minasyan rolled out. A successful challenge from Armernia only delayed the eventual result as Allakhiarov won 7-0.

He will take on Ihor KUROCHKIN (UKR) who defeated Krisztian KECSKEMETI (HUN) 5-2 in the other semifinal, which saw all the points scored in the first period.

Kecskemeti scored with a stepout before he was awarded a point for Kurochkin's passivity. But during the following par terre position, he lost control and the Ukrainian reversed it and also slammed him for four points lead 5-2, a margin which remained till the end of the bout.

His teammate Andrii KULIK (UKR) also made it to the final on Saturday. In the 72kg semifinal against Martun BADALIAN (BLR), Kulik scored two stepouts before been awarded the passivity point. Leading 3-0, he got a gut and then held the position to win via fall in just 2:19.

From the other semifinal, Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) wrestled accoring to his reputation and reached the semifinal after defeating Kutuzov. The Individual World Cup and European silver medalist opened the scoring with a stepout before the referee called Kutuzov for inactivity.

Amoyan completed a throw from par terre position to lead 4-0. Kutuzov did score a stepout but that was all, Amoyan winning the bout 4-1.

At 82kg, returning bronze medalist Tamas LEVAI (HUN) improved on his performance and made it to the final with a close 2-1 win over senior European bronze medalist Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO).

Levai was the first to be given passive but Rikadze was warned in the seccond period, giving Levai the criteria at 1-1. He scored a stepout with an arm lock in the final few seconds of the bout. The Georgian corner wanted to challenge the call Rikadze refused.

Levai will now take on Ozhaev who took no time to beat Arminas LYGNUGARIS (LTU) 8-0 in the other semifinal. After scoring a stepout, he was awarded a point for Lygnugaris' passivity. From the par terre position, Ozhaev slammed a throw for four points. A takedown later, he pocketed the bout in 2:14.

Another Russian to successfully reach the final was Sargsian as he also won 8-0 against Michail IOSIFIDIS (GRE) at 97kg. He was even quicker than Ozhaev, finishing the bout in just 1:37. He scored via three takedowns and a throw for two to finish the bout with technical superiority.

The other semifinal at this weight was much more closer as Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) etched out a 4-3 win over Ondrej DADAK (CZE). At the end of the bout, both wrestler took a few seconds to catch there breath.

They were awarded points for passivity but it was Katsanashvili who managed an exposure from the par terre position to lead 3-3. Dadak scored a reversal at this point to reduce the lead to 3-2. He later scored a stepout but Katsanashvili held the criteria 3-3.

With both wrestlers struggling to match the intensity of the bout, it was the Georgian who kept his cool and scored a stepout to lead 4-3 while Dadak, despite his tries, failed to score.

Turkey also had a finalist as Kadir KAMAL (TUR) ended the hopes of Oleksii MASYK (UKR) with a 6-2 win in the 67kg semifinal. Kamal led 1-0 as Masyk was warned for inactivity but he quickly gave it up with a lost challenge as he claimed a gut wrench from par terre position. The judges did not think the same.

But like any smart wrestler, he made sure he has the clear lead. He went big with a shoulder throw and got two points. A stepout gave another point. Just before the break, he scored a takedown by snapping Masyk down to lead 6-1.

Masyk managed only a stepout in the second period but could avoid the defeat.

From the other side of the bracket, Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) entered the final after a agonisingly close 4-3 win against Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE).

In a bout that saw a number of interruptions, mainly for medical attention to Vancza's bleeding, Jafarov had almost pulled of the win but a Hungary challenge denied him.

Vancza led 1-0 after Jafarov was passive but was awarded two more points as the referee thought the Azerbaijan wrestler was using his head to hit Vancza. A successful challenge from Azerbaijan reversed the decision.

But soon after, the referee did awarded the Hungarian the two points in the second period. Jafarov again challenged the call. He lost, making the score 4-0. He roared back with a takedown and another one soon to make it 4-4. A step out in the same action made it 5-4.

Hungary challenged the latest takedown saying Jafarov used his legs in the action. The video replays confirmed that and the score was reversed to 4-2 for the Hungarian. A late stepout was not enough for Jafarov in the 4-3 defeat.

Komarov leads Russia to three gold

Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) has medals from cadet, junior and senior level continental championships. On Saturday, he completed his medal cabinet with a gold medal at the U23 level as well.

Making his debut at this age-group, the Russian defeated Temuri TCHKUASELIDZE (GEO) 6-1 in the 87kg final to win the gold medal.

Tchkuaselidze was the aggressive wrestler of the two as he pressured Komarov in the first minute. During one such attack, he had the Russian on the edge but Komarov used the Georgian's momentum to reverse the attack and score a takedown.

Another takedown gave him a 4-0 lead before Tchkuaselidze answered with a stepout. Komarov in his composed and laid back wrestling scored another takedown to lead 6-1 at the break. The scorers were not troubled till the six minutes expired.

This was the second of Russia's three golds on Saturday. Junior world champion Sergei STEPANOV (RUS) also claimed his first U23 Euro gold after beating Per OLOFSSON (SWE) 5-2 at 77kg.

A big four point throw and the passivity point were enough for Stepanov to counter Olofsson's opening takedown in the final.

The gold medal at 130kg also went to Russia as Mikhail LAPTEV (RUS) beat David OVASAPYAN (ARM) 5-1 in the final.

Laptev got going after sneaking out of a dangerous position to duck under and put Ovasapyan on his back for two points. A passivity warning against Ovasapyan made it 3-0 for the Russian.

But later, Laptev was warned for passivity to see his lead being reduced to two points. As Ovasapyan was looking for a turn from par terre position, Laptev reversed it to lead 4-1. Armenia challenged the call but lost.

But his teammate Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) had a different ending to his tournament. In the 63kg final, he defeated Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) 4-1 to win the gold medal.

Zaur ALIYEV U23 European Championships

At 55kg, a thrilling final saw junior World Championships silver medalist Zaur ALIYEV (TUR) win the gold medal over Adem UZUN (TUR), thanks to a successful challenge at the beginning of the bout.

Aliyev tried and shoulder throw but failed. Uzun got the takedown and a gut wrench to lead 4-0. Azerbaijan challenged the call and won, reversing the score to 0-0.

The deadlock was broken when Uzun was called passive and Aliyev led 1-0. Later, it was the turn of Aliyev to be in par terre and Uzun managed an exposure to lead 3-1.

With just over a minute left, Aliyev got Uzun in front head lock and looked at his corner, with his coach instructing him for a roll. He did exactly that and rolled Uzun for two points to lead 3-3.

He maintained the criteria, despite desperate attempts from Uzun, for the win.

The final medal bouts of the remaining Greco-Roman weight classes will be held on Sunday, the final day of the U23 event, the first after 592 days of absence.

Results: GR Semifinals

60kg
GOLD: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) vs Ihor KUROCHKIN (UKR)

SF 1: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) df Tigran MINASYAN (ARM), 7-0
SF 2: Ihor KUROCHKIN (UKR) df Krisztian KECSKEMETI (HUN), 5-2

67kg
GOLD: Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) vs Kadir KAMAL (TUR)

SF 1: Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) df Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), 4-3
SF 2: Kadir KAMAL (TUR) df Oleksii MASYK (UKR), 6-2

72kg
GOLD: Andrii KULIK (UKR) vs Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Andrii KULIK (UKR) df Martun BADALIAN (BLR), via fall (5-0)
SF 2: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS), 4-1

82kg
GOLD: Tamas LEVAI (HUN) vs Shamil OZHAEV (RUS)

SF 1: Tamas LEVAI (HUN) df Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO), 2-1
SF 2: Shamil OZHAEV (RUS) df Arminas LYGNUGARIS (LTU), 8-0

97kg
GOLD: Artur SARGSIAN (RUS) vs Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO)

SF 1: Artur SARGSIAN (RUS) df Michail IOSIFIDIS (GRE), 8-0
SF 2: Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) df Ondrej DADAK (CZE), 4-3

GR Medal Results

55kg
GOLD: Zaur ALIYEV (AZE) df Adem UZUN (TUR), 3-3

BRONZE: Bajram SINA (ALB) df Denis DEMIROV (BUL), 12-9
BRONZE: Mavlud RIZMANOV (RUS) df Denis MIHAI (ROU), 16-5

63kg
GOLD: Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) df Niklas Jan Olov Pontus OEHLEN (SWE), 4-1

BRONZE: Aliaksandr PECHURENKA (BLR) df Abdulkadir SAYDAM (TUR), 8-2
BRONZE: Rakhman TAVMURZAEV (RUS) df Leri ABULADZE (GEO), 4-2

77kg
GOLD: Sergei STEPANOV (RUS) df Per OLOFSSON (SWE), 5-2

BRONZE: Erkan ERGEN (TUR) df Mikita KAZAKOU (BLR), 7-2
BRONZE: Samvel GRIGORYAN (ARM) df Nikoloz TCHIKAIDZE (GEO), 11-2

87kg
GOLD: Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) df Temuri TCHKUASELIDZE (GEO), 6-1

BRONZE: Istvan TAKACS (HUN) df Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR), 1-1
BRONZE: Svetoslav NIKOLOV (BUL) df Gevorg TADEVOSYAN (ARM), 4-1

130kg
GOLD: Mikhail LAPTEV (RUS) df David OVASAPYAN (ARM), 5-1

BRONZE: Fatih BOZKURT (TUR) df Delian ALISHAHI (SUI), 9-0
BRONZE: Dariusz VITEK (HUN) df Franz RICHTER (GER), 5-4

#WrestleSkopje

Valiev Leads Russian Trio Into Finals; Arushanian, Gadzhiev Crowned Euro Champs

By Vinay Siwach

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (May 18) --- Chermen VALIEV (RUS) was the highlight of another successful day for Russia as three wrestlers made it to the finals on day two of the U23 European Championships in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Amanula RASULOV (RUS) and Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RUS) were the two other Russian wrestlers to reach the final at 86kg and 125kg respectively. Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia also advanced two wrestlers each to the finals while Georgia managed to enter one wrestler as well.

Russia had entered four wrestlers in the final on day one of the competition at the Jane Sandanski Arena and with three more on Tuesday, their tally reached seven.

Valiev's day began with the qualification round as he faced Lucas KAHNT (GER). But Valiev did not take much time for his 11-1 win. In the 1/8 finals, Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE) did pose some trouble but Valiev came out on top 9-2. Krisztian BIRO (ROU) was the next to suffer as Valiev won the quarterfinal 10-0.

In the semifinal, Valiev had a slow start and led 2-0 at the break against Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO). He began the second period with a push out when he was put on the activity clock. Gamkrelidze later had Valiev in the danger zone but the Russian managed to switch position and instead score a four-point throw via a double leg attack. He won 7-1.

Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM) will try and stop Valiev from winning the gold on Wednesday as he made the final from the other side.

His three wins to reach the final were either technical superiority or via fall. Simon MARCHL (AUT) was the first to witness Alikhanyan's exploits as the Armenian won 10-0. In the quarterfinal, he pinned Isa DEMIR (TUR) before Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) suffered the same fate in the semifinal.

Rasulov will be looking for his first U23 Euro title as well as he reached the 86kg final. After wins over Patrik SZUROVSZKI (HUN) and Emre CIFTCI (TUR) with an identical scoreline of 8-2, Rasulov secured a victory by fall in the semifinal against Andrian GROSUL (MDA) in just one minute and 40 seconds.

But it won't be a cakewalk to the gold medal as he faces multiple time junior World Championships medalist Orkhan ABASOV (AZE) in the final.

Abasov came up with a big five-point throw in the semifinal against Lars SCHAEFLE (GER) to lead 7-0. But his worsening gas tank in the second period saw him give up points for step outs and a takedown. Fortunately for him, his big lead helped him win 8-7 in the end.

Osman NURMAGOMEDOV U23 European Championships

At 92kg, senior European Championships bronze medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) reached the final after overcoming Azamat ZAKUEV (RUS) 5-4 in a closely contested quarterfinal.

Then in the semifinal against Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR), he scored four points in the first period and defended that lead until the clock expired to win 4-0. He will face Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) in the final.

Yaylaci showed so signs of mercy for his opponents as he won by technical superiority in the qualification round and via fall in the quarterfinals. Up against former cadet and junior world champion Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) in the semifinal, he went into a tactical mode and etched out a 6-2 win.

Anil KILICSALLAYAN (TUR) was the second Turkish wrestler to reach the final on Tuesday as he pulled off a close 4-3 win against Vakhit GALAYEV (AZE) in the 125kg semifinal.

He will try his fate against Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RUS), who completely dominanted the day, in the final on Wednesday. Tebloev cleared the qualification round with a 10-0 win over Uvejs FEJZULAHU (MKD) before humbling junior and U23 World silver medalist Yurii IDZINSKYI (UKR) with a similar scoreline.

In the semifinal, Yaraslau SLAVIKOUSKI (BLR) had no answers to Tebloev's attacks and suffered a victory by fall after the Russian had built a 14-2 lead.

At 61kg, Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) managed to reach his first U23 Euro final in four attempts and finishing with bronze medal three years ago. He will take on Razmik PAPIKYAN (ARM) in the final.

Arushanian, Gadzhiev Euro champs

In a bout that has the potential to become the bout of the year, junior world champion at 70kg Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) captured his first U23 European title as he defeated Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (RUS) 13-10 in the 65kg final.

Kudiev had Arushanian to his back early in the bout but could not control him there for long. That scramble gave both the wrestler two points each and a 3-2 lead to the Ukrainian.

Two takedowns later, he led 7-2 with Kudiev struggling to break into his defence. He did give up a takedown but scored a four-point throw from a head lock to lead 11-4.

Kudiev then reciprocated with a front head lock four points as well to make it 11-8. But a double leg takedown for Arushanian all but sealed the gold medal.

Dzhabrail GADZHIEV U23 European Championships

Another former age-group world champion Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) held on to a nervous 5-5 win over Nicolai GRAHMEZ (MDA) to clinch the 70kg gold medal.

With just over over a minute remaining in the bout, Gadzhiev stepped with a two exposure to level it 4-4 and lead on criteria as Grahmez had scored two points via pushouts. Gadzhiev and Grahmez exchanged a stepout each in the last few seconds but that still gave the win to the Azerbaijan wrestler.

Akhmed IDRISOV (RUS) began the medal round with a gold medal winning performance for Russia as he defeated Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) 6-0 at 57kg.

In his typical calm manner of wrestling, Idrisov managed to evade everything Rzazade threw at him and scored three takedowns in the final.

The second Russian to win the gold was Aslanbek SOTIEV (RUS) who defeated Radu LEFTER (MDA) 10-0 via technical superiority.

Ramazan SARI (TUR) denied Russia their third gold medal of the night he scored a 14-4 win over Khalid IAKHIEV (RUS). Sari, a bronze medalist at U23 World Championships, took advantage of Iakhiev continuous attacks and scored three four-point throws in the final.

Ramazan Ishak SARI U23 European Championships

Women's wrestling will begin in five weight classes -- 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg -- on Wednesday in Skopje.

Results:

Freestyle Semifinals

61kg
GOLD: Razmik PAPIKYAN (ARM) vs Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO)

SF 1: Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) df Nico MEGERLE (GER), 4-0
SF 2: Razmik PAPIKYAN (ARM) df Emrah ORMANOGLU (TUR), 3-2

74kg
GOLD: Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM) vs Chermen VALIEV (RUS)

SF 1: Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM) df Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), 12-2
SF 2: Chermen VALIEV (RUS) df Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), 7-1

86kg
GOLD: Amanula RASULOV (RUS) vs Orkhan ABASOV (AZE)

SF 1: Amanula RASULOV (RUS) df Andrian GROSUL (MDA), via fall
SF 2: Orkhan ABASOV (AZE) df Lars SCHAEFLE (GER), 8-7

92kg
GOLD: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) vs Erhan YAYLACI (TUR)

SF 1: Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) df Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 6-2
SF 2: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR), 4-0

125kg
GOLD: Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RUS) vs Anil KILICSALLAYAN (TUR)

SF 1: Anil KILICSALLAYAN (TUR) df Vakhit GALAYEV (AZE), 4-3
SF 2: Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RUS) df Yaraslau SLAVIKOUSKI (BLR), via fall (14-2)

FS Medal Bouts

57kg
GOLD: Akhmed IDRISOV (RUS) df Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE), 6-0

BRONZE: Ramaz TURMANIDZE (GEO) df Kamil KERYMOV (UKR), 5-3
BRONZE: Simone PIRODDU (ITA) df Hafiz HASDEMIR (TUR), 4-1

65kg
GOLD: Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) df Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (RUS), 13-10

BRONZE: Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE) df Uladzislau KOIKA (BLR), 10-0
BRONZE: Cavit ACAR (TUR) df Marwane Ahmed YEZZA (FRA), inj def

70kg
GOLD: Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) df Nicolai GRAHMEZ (MDA), 5-5

BRONZE: Inalbek SHERIEV (RUS) df Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO), 8-2
BRONZE: Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) df Denys BOROHAN (UKR), 3-2

79kg
GOLD: Ramazan Ishak SARI (TUR) df Khalid IAKHIEV (RUS), 14-4

BRONZE: Arman AVAGYAN (ARM) df Goga MAMIAURI (GEO), 7-4
BRONZE: Valentyn BABII (UKR) df Salvatore DIANA (ITA), 11-1

97kg
GOLD: Aslanbek SOTIEV (RUS) df Radu LEFTER (MDA), 10-0

BRONZE: Aliaksei PARKHOMENKA (BLR) df Tsvetan EVTIMOV (BUL), 11-3
BRONZE: Islam ILYASOV (AZE) df Luka KHUTCHUA (GEO), 11-0