WATCH: #WrestleBudapest Women's Wrestling Finals

Saturday, April 2, 2022 - 10:06 By Eric Olanowski

BUDAPEST, Hungary (April 2) -- Yasemin ADAR (TUR) and Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR) led the Turkish women's team to the European title after winning golds as 76kg and 50kg, respectively. Adar grabbed her fifth continental title with a second-period match-deciding takedown against reigning European champion Epp MAE (EST), while Demirhan upset Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) in the 50kg finals.

Ukraine, led by Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) and Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) gold-medal wins, finished in second place in the team race, five points behind Turkey. They won their golds at 57kg and 65kg, respectively.

Bulgaria closed out the competition with a third-place finish. Their lone champ was Taybe Mustafa YUSEIN (BUL), who picked up a ninth European medal and third gold with a 7-0 shutout win over Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) in the 62kg finals.

Here are all of their gold-medal finals, and the rest of the 2022 women's wrestling European finals from Budapest.

50kg: Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR) df. Miglena SELISHKA (BUL), via fall

Turkey won its third-ever gold medal at the European Championships when Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) pinned defending champion Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) in just a minute and 55 seconds.

The 26-year-old was caught off guard when Selishka went for a takedown at the beginning but in the same sequence, Demirhan overturned it and scored two for herself.

The former U23 world champion from Turkey continued to put pressure on Selishka and ultimately managed to keep the Bulgarian to her back and get the fall.

"I am very happy to win gold," Demirhan said. "This was the first time I wrestled my opponent [Selishka] and I can't believe it." Demirhan's coming-of-age performance was a testimony of how the 50kg wrestler has grown since winning the gold at the U23 Worlds five years ago.

"I beat all the opponents that I lost to in the past and this is my first gold at the senior level so I am very happy," she said.

53kg: Emma MALMGREN (SWE) df. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), 3-2

Emma MALMGREN (SWE) defeated three-time Olympian Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), 3-2, to win the gold medal at 53kg.

The 20-year-old Malmgren trailed Prevolarki 2-2 at the break but she got a point for inactivity from Prevolaraki to lead 3-2 in the second period.

She defended that lead till the end to win Sweden's first gold at the senior European Championships after four years.

"It feels unreal for me to stand here," she said. "This has been a dream for me and I have worked so hard to stand here. So it feels good to walk home with the gold medal."

Malmgren had Yuliya RATKEVICH (AZE), who wrestled the Greek wrestler at the London Olympics, in her corner, and before the final, the two had a chat about how to tackle the veteran.

"We had a good plan before the match I just kept to it," she said. "She [Ratkevich] did tell me a lot of things about her and I am glad that they are here with me. Sofia [MATTSSON] on the phone. It came out very good."

Malmgren had a great tournament as she won her first bout 12-2 and the semifinal via fall. After a disappointing tournament in Istanbul where she was pinned, it came around well.

"I am satisfied with my wrestling over the two days," she said. "I was very disappointed after Istanbul and a little concerned. Now I am feeling very happy with the result. We have new coaches in Sweden and I will start working with them and continue going with them to camps around the world."

55kg: Andreea (ROU) df. Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR)

Ana becomes her nation's first-ever senior European champion in women's wrestling. Add to that the maiden U23 European gold she won two weeks ago in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Ana defeated Ukraine's young superstar Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR), 7-5 in the 55kg with a thrilling buzzer-beating four-pointer. "

I think the gold in Belgrade helped me break the mental block I had in finals. That is why I had a lot of bronze and silver medals," Ana had said in Plovdiv.

Perhaps that helped her remain calm even when she was trailing by two points with just 11 seconds. Ana and Khomenets matched each move-for-move and it was only an inactivity point that separated the two. Ana led 1-0 at the break but soon increased the pace of the bout and scored a takedown 33 seconds into the second period.

Khomenetes also matched that and 39 seconds later and scored two takedowns inside 30 seconds to lead 4-3. She added a step-out and had a 5-3 lead with just 11 seconds remaining.

When it looked all over, Ana managed to blast a double-leg and score four points and end Romania's wait for a gold medal in women's wrestling at the senior event.

"I am feeling good and proud of myself," Ana said. "I have a lot of emotions and sensations and I am happy that it ended like this. I know she [Khomenets] is strong but my technique was better to win."

57kg: Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) df. Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL)

Alina Hrushyna Akobiia (UKR) claimed the first gold of the tournament for Ukraine and the chants of 'Ukarina, Ukarina' filled the Bok Sports Hall.

“I still can’t believe I’ve won the gold medal of the senior European championship," Akobiia said. "I’ve come through a tough way and a lot of people have helped me. But now, all of Ukraine has helped me. I am really happy."

Akobiia stunned Tokyo bronze medalist Evelina Nikolova (BUL) in the 57kg final to claim the first gold of the tournament for her country.

She was trailing 2-2 when Akobiia tripped Nikolova for four points with 39 seconds remaining. She won the final, 6-2.

This was Akobiia's first-ever gold medal at the senior championships and it could not have been more special, as she dedicated the medal to Ukraine.

"I want to dedicate my gold to my parents and to my motherland Ukraine. These are the closest things to me," she said.

59kg: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df. Jowita WRZESIEN (POL)

Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) becomes two-time senior European champion. Just two weeks ago, she had captured gold medals at the U23 European Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

In a bracket with only seven wrestlers, Nichita outscored her opponents 26-3 with two wins over Jowita WRZESIEN (POL). After beating the Poland wrestler in the opening round 4-2, Nichita repeated that performance in the final winning 4-1.

Wrzesien scored the opening takedown but Nichita answered with a takedown and led 2-1. The Poland World bronze medalist kept the former U23 world champion quiet for the first four minutes but then she switched levels in the final two minutes to win.

62kg: Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) df. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), 7-2

Tokyo bronze medalist Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) managed to claim the gold with a comfortable 7-0 victory over Luisa NIEMESCH (GER). She kept the pressure on her German opponent and never looked in trouble.

"I was without the gold for two years at the European Championships," Yusein said. "It was good for me to come back and win the gold. My plan was to take advantage of my opponent's mistakes. It was a great bout."

Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) df. Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), via fall

The second gold medal for the team went to Tetiana Rizhko (UKR) who pinned Tokyo Olympian Elis Manolova (AZE) inside two minutes to win her maiden senior European gold.

That medal from Rizhko sent another wave of emotional reactions not only in the Ukraine team but also in the stadium.

"It took me four days to reach Lviv, then we stayed there for three days because we couldn’t leave, then we came here to Hungary, we spent two weeks in a training camp," Rizhko said.

"The wrestling association helped us a lot, the national team coaches who organized this trip. We have two gold." Talking about her final, the Ukrainian said that she did not expect her to pin Manolova.

"I didn’t expect I would pin her so fast because the final was tough as there is high competition in my weight class," she said. "I am full of emotions. I am so glad we have such coaches and girls who came here with us."

68kg: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 10-0

Irina Ringaci (MDA) won her second senior European title. She was more dominant in the final against Pauline Lecarpentier (FRA) as hit a whizzer and then added three takedowns to win 10-0 in four minutes.

"One more gold medal in my collection," Ringaci said. "My opponents were well-prepared but my wrestling had proved who is the best."

Since moving to the Olympic weight class of 68kg, the junior and senior world champ has consistently improved. "The Olympics are coming so I have to move up to 68kg and be ready to wrestle in this category," she said.

"I am happy I’ve won as it was one of my dreams to become a senior European champion."

72kg: Anna SCHELL (GER) df. Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR), via fall

Anna SCHELL (GER) gave Germany its lone gold of the tournament as she pinned Buse TOSUN (TUR) at 72kg. The win was her second straight win over the Turkey wrestler and she will now be UWW's number one ranked wrestler at 72kg.

"It's the second final because in Istanbul I met her in the semifinal. Today was the second bout against her and it's great to win," Schell said.

Not only did she end Germany's 15-year wait for a women's wrestling gold at European Championships, but Schell also reached a personal landmark. The gold in Budapest was the first ever in her international career.

"It's amazing as I don't have a gold medal in international competition," Schell said.

Turkey won its maiden women's wrestling team title with 140 points while Ukraine finished second with 135 points. Bulgaria was third in the race.

76kg: Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df. Epp MAE (EST), 3-1

Yasemin Adar added a fifth gold medal to her collection of European gold medals after defeating long-time rival Epp MAE (EST) in the final.

"It's after two years I am wrestling at the Europeans and the first time since the Olympics," Adar said. "I was not in Warsaw. I am very happy to win five Euros."

The 3-1 win helped Adar maintain her perfect record over Mae. Adar has defeated the '21 World silver medalist in her previous three meetings, two of them coming at the continental level.

"I always tell the young girls on the team that follow your dreams," she said. "All five medals are the same. Only a gold medal can run with the flag on the mat and that's very important for me."

#WrestleAmman

U20 Worlds: Red-hot Shapiro wins gold; Nishiuchi repeats

Tuesday, August 15, 2023 - 21:42 By Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (August 15) -- Meyer SHAPIRO (USA) talks about his mental game. Whether it was the lectures from Jonh DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) before coming to Amman or surviving the heat in the city, Shapiro thinks he has managed to keep himself calm despite thinking about his final all day.

"I woke up this morning but it [the final] was always at the back of my mind," Shapiro said. It's hard to think about something all day and not be worried about it. Yesterday [Monday] was a grueling day. The country is hot so that was something I had to add to my mental game. The first session took a lot out of me. Tough matches."

Perhaps with lessons from those tough matches on Monday, Shapiro, on a sweltering day in Amman, kept his cool against Ali REZAEI (IRI) to win his second age-group world title, winning the 70kg gold medal at the U20 World Championships on Tuesday.

After trailing 4-0 and busting his head after a head collision with Rezaei, Shapiro gathered himself and continued his red-hot form to win the final 11-6 and give the United States its first champion of the tournament.

The 2021 U17 world champion entered the competition as one of the favorites and Rezaei, who was a bronze medalist in the 2021 tournament, and over the two days, he proved why his "creative and funky" wrestling was too much to handle for his opponents.

"My wrestling style is creative and I like the flow," Shapiro said. "I envisioned myself wearing this white tracksuit on the podium since they gave it to the senior world team [in 2022] and having that belt."

Shapiro achieved that by wrestling one of the greatest finals in tournament history as he broke Rezaei with his hard wrestling and remained unbeaten internationally.

Though the final did not positively for Shapiro as he got spun for two before Rezaei scored a trap for two more points, Shapiro headed a hit to the head, literally to regain his focus. Shapiro hit his head against Rezaei's hip and a cut to his took some serious medical attention.

Despite "freaking out", Shapiro returned with a focused mind and opened his scoring with a stepout. He then added two points via exposure by thrusting Rezaei to the mat when he was trying to lift Shapiro.

"Lot of emotions in that match," he said. "I came out hard and he also came out hard. In that exchange, a lot of emotions were going on in my head. I was freaking out a little bit. But that was enough time to reset my mind. It looks hard out there but that was my favorite match of the tournament. I really got to show off my skill.

Shapiro was a different wrestler in the second period as he used his reach to score via ankle picks. He scored a takedown 10 seconds after the break. A stepout and another counter takedown made it 8-4 for the U.S. wrestler. Rezaei got one back using a lighting double and closed the gap to 8-6. But Shapiro controlled the center of the mat and put Rezaei in uncomfortable positions. He managed one more stepout and takedown to win 11-6.

"I have long arms and legs. I can use that pretty well," he said. "Being able to wrestle into positions, wrestling with Yianni [Diakomihalis] and other guys who push me, I kept being told that put these guys in position, they are not better than you."

Shapiro will try proving that in the domestic college season later this year when he wrestles for Cornell University, home to Diakomihalis and four-time world champion Kyle DAKE (USA). But before that is his introduction where, in most likelihood, Shapiro will reach with a bruised eye and a cut to his head.

"I got a few bruises and cuts but I will be back to training," he said.

Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) celebrates after winning the gold medal against Jesse MENDEZ (USA). (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

The United States had two more wrestlers in the finals both failed to repeat what Shapiro managed.

At 65kg, Jesse MENDEZ (USA) wrestled Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) and just could not match Shakeri's level, dropping the final 5-2.

Shakeri, who had finished ninth at last year's U20 World Championships, jumped levels to win the gold medal this year. He put Mendez in strong underhooks and opened the scoring via a steptout before getting a point for the U.S. wrestler's inactivity.

In the second period, Shakeri was put on the shot clock and gave up a point but added a stepout to lead 3-1. He made it 4-1 with a minute left with another stepout. Mendez got on a single leg but only managed to push Shakeri out for a point. As Mendez's desperation grew, Shakeri kept his ground to win 5-2, earning himself a first world medal as he finished fifth at the 2021 U17 World Championships.

Yuto NISHIUCHI (JPN) scores a takedown against Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) in the 57kg final. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Last year's U17 world champion Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) was looking to add a U20 world title to his resume to he ran into Yuto NISHIUCHI (JPN) who won the U20 world title at 61kg in 2022.

Wrestling in the 57kg final this year, Nishiuchi created history by becoming the first wrestler from Japan to win two U20 world gold medals in Freestyle.

A wrestler who has won medals at the senior Ranking Series events, Nishiuchi used his experience to completely shut down Lilledahl who reached the final after a buzzer-beating fall over Ruslan ABDULLAYEV (AZE) in the semifinal.

But there were no comebacks from him in the final as Nishiuchi scored two takedowns and one stepout to win the gold medal 5-0.

"I wanted to go harder, widen the gap in points, and aim for a technical fall win," he said. "My opponents were physically strong and we couldn't attack as much as I wanted."

Nishiuchi was relieved with the gold medal as he had to recover from a knee injury suffered at the Meiji Cup in June in a short period of time.

"I was injured at the Meiji Cup and was worried if I will be able to recover in the short period before this World Championships. But I am in good condition now with taping," he said.

Dropping down from 61kg to 57kg brought its own challenges and the biggest one for Nishiuchi was the weight cut. That caused a few bumps on his way but the Japan wrestler managed to keep things under control.

"The most difficult match was the first one against Uzbekistan because I was cutting weight and I was not moving smoothly," he said."But my condition improved later."

Aware of the fact that he can create history, Nishiuchi felt the pressure of being a defending champion.

"I knew that no Japan wrestler has won two times at the U20 world championships," he said. "Last year I was the challenger but this year I was the champion so I was under pressure and also nervous.

"Even though I won last year, I didn't expect it to be easy because it's a world championship. However, I had been fighting for the Paris Olympics, so I could not afford to lose in the U20 category."

Abolfazl BABALOO (IRI) defeated Ivan PRYMACHENKO (UKR), 5-0, in the 97kg final. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Iran won its second gold medal of the day when Abolfazl BABALOO (IRI) defeated Ivan PRYMACHENKO (UKR), 5-0, in the 97kg final.

In a remarkable turnaround, Babaloo went from finishing fifth at the U20 Asian Championships in Amman to becoming a U20 world champion in a month. He avenged his losses to Kamil KURGULIYEV (KAZ) and Deepak CHAHAL (IND).In the final, Babaloo got a point for Prymachenko's inactivity before adding two stepouts to lead 3-0 at the break. Any attempt from Prymachenko was easily defended by Babaloo who scored takedown to win 5-0.

Once the best wrestler in the world called him a 'machine', Ibragim KADIEV (AIN) had little choice but to accept the adjective. On Tuesday, he managed to live up to it.

Abdulrashid SADULAEV's one-word description of Kadiev was well on display as the 79kg wrestler clinched the gold medal after beating Sagar JAGLAN (IND) 17-6 in the final.

Kadiev, who trains at the Sadulaev Sports School, exploited Jaglan's open stance and attacked his legs to score the majority of his points. He began with a slide-by takedown but hit a double to score a stepout. Another takedown made it 5-0.

However, Jaglan, who is known to outpace his opponents, opened his scoring with a go-behind before adding a lace to cut the lead to 5-4. Kadiev was warned for an eye-poke and the caution gave Jaglan a 5-5 criteria lead at the break.

But Kadiev made a powerful start to the second period with a stepout and takedown, both using double-leg attacks. Jaglan continued to push the pace and Kadiev was cautioned for fleeing. As the bout restarted in par terre, Jagland tried to turn Kadiev who held Jaglan mid-turn and scored two more points to extend his lead 10-6.

Kadiev followed that up with a four-pointer which India challenge to only see it going against them as Kadiev now led 15-6. In the final scramble, Kadiev scored via exposure to win the gold after a draining bout.

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Yuto NISHIUCHI (JPN) df. Luke LILLEDAHL (USA), 5-0

BRONZE: Edik HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Ruslan ABDULLAYEV (AZE), 8-4
BRONZE: Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB) df. SAGAR (IND), 10-0

65kg
GOLD: Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) df. Jesse MENDEZ (USA),

BRONZE: Dalgat ABDULKADYROV (AIN) df. Kaiji OGINO (JPN), 9-2
BRONZE: Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR) df. Aden SAKYBAEV (KGZ), 5-3

70kg
GOLD: Meyer SHAPIRO (USA) df. Ali REZAEI (IRI), 11-6

BRONZE: Ibrahim YAPRAK (TUR) df. Omurbek TAALAIBEK UULU (KGZ), 3-2
BRONZE: Magomed BAITUKAEV (AIN) df. Julian GEORGE (PUR), 12-2

79kg
GOLD: Ibragim KADIEV (AIN) df. Sagar JAGLAN (IND), 17-6

BRONZE: Matthew SINGLETON (USA) df. Ahmet YAGAN (TUR), 9-7
BRONZE: Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) df. Farzad SAFIJAHANSHAHI (IRI), 11-1

97kg
GOLD: Abolfazl BABALOO (IRI) df. Ivan PRYMACHENKO (UKR), 5-0

BRONZE: Deepak CHAHAL (IND) df. Uladzislau KAZLOU (AIN), 9-8
BRONZE: Camden McDANEL (USA) df. Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ), 8-2

Semifinals

61kg
GOLD: Mohit KUMAR (IND) vs. Eldar AKHMADUDINOV (AIN)

SF 1: Mohit KUMAR (IND) df. Besir ALILI (MKD), via fall (8-6)
SF 2: Eldar AKHMADUDINOV (AIN) df. Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI), 10-9

74kg
GOLD: Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) vs. Hossein AGHAEI (IRI)

SF 1: Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) df. Zhakshylyk BAITASHOV (KGZ), 10-0
SF 2: Hossein AGHAEI (IRI) df. Anton SUCHKOV (AIN), 9-0

86kg
GOLD: Fumiya IGARASHI (JPN) vs. Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA)

SF 1: Fumiya IGARASHI (JPN) df. Eugeniu MIHALCEAN (MDA), 10-0
SF 2: Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) df. Bennett BERGE (USA), 9-2

92kg
GOLD: Mohammadmobin AZIMI (IRI) vs. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ)

SF 1: Mohammadmobin AZIMI (IRI) df. Knyaz IBOYAN (ARM), 10-0
SF 2: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) df. Giorgi ROMELASHVILI (GEO), 11-1

125kg
GOLD: Said AKHMATOV (AIN) vs. Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI)

SF 1: Said AKHMATOV (AIN) df. Karanveer MAHIL (CAN), 6-3
SF 2: Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) df. Volodymyr KOCHANOV (UKR), 11-0