Turkey Sends 6 to Finals of Greco-Roman Takhti Cup

Friday, January 26, 2018 - 01:27 By Ali Feizasa

MAHSHAHR, Iran (January 25) - The finalists of the Takhti Cup International Greco-Roman Wrestling Tournament were determined in the southern port of Iran, Mahshahr.

Turkey had a brilliant performance on the opening day, sending six wrestlers to the finals, outperforming Iran and Kazakhstan, which sent four wrestlers to the finals.

The tournament is the first UWW ranking series event in Greco-Roman.

55kg final: Bachana PUTKARADZE (GEO) vs. Ekrem OEZTUREK (TUR)

20-year-old wrestler Ekrem OEZTUREK from Turkey stormed to final match, earning 27 points during his three matches. Oezturek will meet Bachana PUTKARADZE (GEO) in the finals.

60kg final: Mehrdad MARDANI (IRI) vs. Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ)

Iranian Mehrdad MARDANI did a great job defeating 2017 world silver medal winner Meirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) 4-0 in the semifinals, while, three-time Asian junior medal winner Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) beat Dastan ZARLYKHANOV (KAZ).

Both finalists represented their countries at the 2017 World Championships in Paris.

63kg final: Kudaibergen TURSYNOV (KAZ) vs. Kaly SULAIMANOV (KGZ)

Former junior world champion Kaly SULAIMANOV (KGZ) proved himself in senior level competition, edging Iranian favorite Mohammad NOURBAKHSH 3-0 in the semifinals. He will meet Kudaibergen TURSYNOV (KAZ) in the finals.

67kg final: Fevzi MAMUTOV (UKR) vs. Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ)

The big surprise in this weight class came when Olympic and world champion Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB) lost by fall to Ukranian Fevzi MAMUTOV in the quarterfinals. Borrero, who has moved up from 59kg to 67kg, was ahead in the match against Mamutov but lost the match in a moment.

Mamutov also downed returning Takhti Cup champ Mohammad ELYASI (IRI) by technical fall 12-2. Elyasi placed fifth at the 2017 World Championships.

Three-time world medalist Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ) is another finalist at 67kg. Kebispayev beat Turkish junior and U-23 team member Murat FIRAT 4-2. Kebispayev also had a tough match in the first round, beating 2017 world bronze medal winner Atakan YUEKSEL (TUR) 3-1.

72kg final: Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) vs. Murat DAG (TUR)

U-23 world bronze medalist Murat DAG (TUR) had a technical fall victory over Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), 8-0 in the semifinals. He will meet Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) in the finale.

Zhadrayev, a 2017 world silver medal winner, had a brilliant performance as he beat Goga GOGIBERASHVILI (GEO) by technical fall 14-6 and had a victory by fall against Iranian Farshad BELFEKE (RI) in the quarterfinals.

Dag also did a great job in the first round, beating former world bronze medal winner Afshin BYABANGAR (IRI), 7-3.

77kg final: Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) vs. Serkan AKKOYUN (TUR)

World bronze medal winner Mohammadali GERAEI moved up from 71kg to 77kg and was successful in his new weight class. He downed Borouman ASLAN (IRI) 4-3 in the semifinals.
Serkan AKKOYUN (TUR) was another finalist at 77kg as he defeated Iranian Pejman PASHTAN in a narrow semifinal match. Akkoyun also won the match against 2017 U-23 world champion Fatih CENGIZ (TUR) in the first round.

82kg final: Emrah KUS (TUR) vs. Daniel ALEKSANDROV (BUL)

Daniel ALEKSANDROV was the only finalist for Bulgaria at the Takhti Cup, defeating Iranian Keyvan REZAEI in the semifinals 3-1. Aleksandorv, who placed fifth in Paris, defeated U-23 world champion Burhan AKBUDAK 4-0 in the quarterfinals.

2013 world bronze medal winner Emrah KUS (TUR) edged Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR), 2-1 in another semifinal match.

The big surprise Iranian world bronze medalist Yousef GHADERIAN losing to Rezaei 6-3.

87kg final: Saman AZIZI (IRI) vs. Khussein MUTSOLGOV (KAZ)

Saman AZIZI (IRI) and Khussein MUTSOLGOV (KAZ) defeated KATSANASHVILI (GEO) and SHIRDAKOV (KGZ) respectively to advance to the finals at 87kg.

2017 world champion Metehan BASAR (TUR) didn’t continue in the tournament after his first win against Arman ALIZADEH (IRI).

97kg final: Orkhan NURIYEV (AZE) vs. Cenk ILDEM (TUR)

The gold medal at 97kg will go to Turkey or Azerbaijan. Olympic bronze medal winner Jenk ILDEM (TUR) downed Dorin PIRVAN (ROM) 3-0 in the semifinals. Orkhan NURIYEV (AZE) beat Mohammad YEGANEH (IRI) 3-2.

It is not the first battle of Ildem and Huriyev. These wrestlers competed against each other in a match at the 2015 European Games, which Ildem won.

130kg final: Behnam MEHDIZADEH (IRI) vs. Osman YILDIRIM (TUR)

Two-time Asian champion Behnam MEHDIZADEH (IRI) had a narrow win over 2017 Iran team member Shahab GHOUREHJILI (IRI). He will meet Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) in the finals. Yildirim had a 4-1 victory over Alin ALEXUC (ROM) the semifinals.

The repechage and finals of the Takhti Cup will be held on Friday from 10 a.m. local time.

Semifinal Results

55kg
Bachana PUTKARADZE (GEO) df. Ibrahim NURULLAYEV (AZE), 3 – 1
Ekrem OEZTURK (TUR) df. Ziyad ZEYNALOV (AZE), 12 - 6

60kg
K. ZHOLCHUBEKOV (KGZ) TF. Dastan ZARLYKHANOV (KAZ), 11 - 1
Mehrdad MARDANI (IRI) df. Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ), 4 – 0

63kg
Kudaibergen TURSYNOV (KAZ) df. Khvicha TCHITAVA (GEO), 6 - 6
K. SULAYMANOV (KGZ) df. Mohammad NOURBAKHSH (IRI), 3 – 0

67kg
Fevzi MAMUTOV (UKR) TF. Mohammad ELYASI (IRI), 12-2
Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ) df. Murat FIRAT (TUR), 4-2

72kg
Murat DAG (TUR) TF. Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), 8 - 0
Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) TF. Goga GOGIBERASHVILI (GEO), 14 – 6

77kg
Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) df. Boroomand aslan GHAREHDAGHI (IRI), 4 - 3
Serkan AKKOYUN (TUR) df. Pejman PASHTAM (IRI), 5 – 5

82kg
Emrah KUS (TUR) df. Yaroslav FLICHAKOV (UKR), 2 - 1
Daniel ALEKSANDROV (BUL) df. Keivan REZAEI (IRI), 3 – 1

87kg
Saman AZIZI (IRI) df. Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO), 4 - 3
Khussein MUTSOLGOV (KAZ) df. S. SHIRDAKOV (KGZ), 4 – 1

97kg
Cenk ILDEM (TUR) df. Dorin constantin PIRVAN (ROU), 3 - 0
Orkhan NURIYEV (AZE) df. Mohammad YEGANEH (IRI), 3 – 2

130kg
Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) df. Ciurariu alin ALEXUC (ROU), 4-1
Behnam MEHDIZADEH (IRI) df. Shahab GHOUREHJILI

Zhumanarova, Medet Kyzy give Kyrgyzstan double gold at ISG 2025

Thursday, November 20, 2025 - 17:27 By Vinay Siwach

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (November 20) -- Kyrgyzstan was the most successful nation on day three of the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 with three gold medals out of five on offer.

Three weight classes in women's and two in Freestyle were in action in Riyadh at the Games and Kyrgyzstan captured three gold medals with Paris Olympic silver medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) leading the way.

Zhumanazarova powered her way to the 68kg gold medal. Facing Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB) in the final, Zhumanazarova hit a counter four-pointer to extend her lead to 7-0 before hitting a takedown and turn to finish the final 11-0.

"It was an easy tournament for me," Zhumanazarova said. "I have not wrestled well since Paris majorly due to the ankle injury I suffered."

Now that she is back to full fitness and winning, Zhumanazarova aims to compete more often year with Asian Championships, World Championships and Asian Games lined up.

"Next year, I will make sure to compete at all three major tournaments," she said.

Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) celebrates after beating Damola OJO (NGR) in the 76kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Joining Zhumanazarova on the top of the podium was world silver medalist and Asian champion Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) who came alive in the second period of the 76kg final against Damola OJO (NGR).

Ojo led 1-1 on criteria when she scored a stepout in the second period but Medet Kyzy scored a takedown and then moved to the legs to lock a lace and turn Ojo four times for an 11-1 technical superiority.

Medet Kyzy's gold medal was the second for Kyrgyzstan in women's wrestling, same as Nigeria. Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan finished the competition with one gold each.

Esther KOLAWALE (NGR) defeated Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE) with a last-second takedown in the 62kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

U23 world bronze medalist Esther KOLAWALE (NGR) needed a final-second takedown against Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE) to win the 62kg gold medal. She scored a takedown when Mammadova was on the activity clock to lead 3-0 and hoped to run out the clock with that lead.

However, Mammadova got on a single-leg attack in the second period which she converted into a takedown during the Nigerian's activity period. Kolawale tried to open the fingers of Mammadova which made the referees dock on point for caution, making it 4-3 for Mammadova with 16 seconds left.

Kolawale first scored a stepout with 12 seconds remaining to make it 4-4 but Mammadova had the criteria lead because of the caution against Kolawale. But she then hit a takedown with three seconds on the clock to claim a 6-4 and the win as well.

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) scores on Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) in the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Amouzad dominates to gold

World champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) had not trouble in winning the 65kg gold medal after he defeated Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK), 12-2, in the final.

Kudiev gave an early scare when he scored a takedown on Amouzad to go 2-0 up but the Iranian gather himself and scored three stepouts before the break to lead 3-2. Kudiev then tried to hit a double-leg but Amouzad countered with a beautiful chest wrap throw for four points to make it 7-2.

Tajikistan challenged, asking for two points but at no point in the exchange did Kudiev manage to expose or control Amouzad who now led 8-2 for the lost challenge. Two stepouts and a takedown later, Amouzad captured the gold medal with a technical superiority win.

Earlier in the day, Amouzad faced world bronze medalist Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) in the quarterfinals and came out on top 4-0. The win included three stepout and one point for Jalolov's passivity.

Abdumalik KARACHOV (KGZ) counters Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) to score four points. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Kyrgyzstan won gold medals not only in Women's Wrestling but also in Freestyle as Abdumalik KARACHOV (KGZ) won at 57kg, beating Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE), 9-3, in the final.

Karachov had a field day in Riyadh as he defeated world and Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) in the quarterfinals before a convincing win in the final.

Bazarganov was down 2-1 with 24 seconds left in the final when he hit a strong snap on Karachov who managed to stay on his feet and countered with a duckunder and get four points.

Bazarganov got one point for reversal but Azerbaijan challenged the call, asking for four points but lost it as Karachov never came in danger. The Kyrgyzstan wrestler then scored a match-ending takedown to win 9-3.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

62kg
GOLD: Esther KOLAWALE (NGR) df. Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE), 6-4

BRONZE: Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) df. Rebecca AMONGI (UGA),
BRONZE: Nigina SABIROVA (UZB) df. Aylah MAYALI (PLE), 11-0

68kg
GOLD: Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) df. Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB), 11-0

BRONZE: Nigar MIRZAZADA (AZE) df. Halima AKTER (BAN), via forfeit
BRONZE: Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) df. Ndiffo AIMELDA (CMR), via fall (6-0)

76kg
GOLD: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) df. Damola OJO (NGR), 11-1

BRONZE: Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) vs. Elmira YASIN (TUR), via fall (7-0)
BRONZE: Samar HAMZA (EGY) df. Wilita PELAGIE (CMR), 5-1

Freestyle

57kg
GOLD: Abdumalik KARACHOV (KGZ) df. Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE), 9-3

BRONZE: Ali MOMENI (IRI) df. Sayed ZAZAI (AFG), 11-0
BRONZE: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) df. Ismael CAMARA (GUI), 10-0

65kg
GOLD: Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) df. Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK), 12-2

BRONZE: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) df. Ali RAHIMZADE (AZE), 8-3
BRONZE: Bilol SHARIP UULU (KGZ) df. Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN), 10-0

Turkey Sends 6 to Finals of Greco-Roman Takhti Cup

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Zhumanarova, Medet Kyzy give Kyrgyzstan double gold at ISG 2025