#WrestleBelgrade

#WrestleBelgrade Weight-to-Watch: Freestyle 70kg

Friday, October 29, 2021 - 07:43 By Vinay Siwach

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BELGRADE, Serbia (October 28) -- Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) is returning to the Belexpocentar in Belgrade, Serbia. It was here that he made heads roll with a title-winning performance at the Individual World Cup in December last year.

Now, he is seeking a U23 world title.

Entered in the 70kg weight class that is full of wrestlers of equal pedigree, Tevanyan will take the mat next week, a month after participating in the Senior World Championships in Oslo at 65kg.

Not only the Armenian but a host of other stars are eyeing the gold medal. Oslo World Championships silver medalist at 70kg Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) is one of the favorites and so is 65kg '19 U23 world champion Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE).

All three were in Oslo, and in Tokyo before that, but only Akmataliev was able to win a medal as he reached the final of the 70kg against Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL). He lost a close bout 1-2 and had to be content with a silver medal.

Bayramov lost Gadzhiev after an impressive run to the semifinals but later lost the bronze medal bout as well against Zurabi IAKOBASHVILI (GEO). He returned empty-handed from the tournament, his fifth this year.

Other big names entered in the bracket are U23 Russian champion and Ali Aliev tournament winner Rezuan KAZHAROV (RWF), U23 European silver Nicolai GRAHMEZ (MDA) and former cadet world medalist Aliakbar FAZLIKHALILI (IRI).

Tevanyan will have fond memories of Belgrade. The World Cup made him a rising star at 65kg as he defeated world medalist Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) 9-1 in the final. His run included victories over Haji ALI (BHN), Nikolai OKHLOPKOV (ROU) and Hor OHANNESIAN (UKR) in the semifinal.

He also has wins over three world champions -- Vladimer KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO), Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) and Haji ALIYEV (AZE) -- from the European Olympic Qualifiers.

Ernazar AKMATALIEVErnazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) is a silver medalist from Oslo World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

But it won't be easy this time. Akmataliev was also part of the Individual World Cup but lost to Haji ALIYEV (AZE) in the quarterfinal. But since then, he has won the Asian Olympic Qualifiers, defeating Ilyas BEKBULATOV (UZB) and Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) in the process. He later participated in the Tokyo Olympics but lost to Bajrang PUNIA (IND) in the first round. In Oslo, he became the first freestyle wrestler from his country to reach a senior world final.

The 23-year-old's antics of attacking constantly and countering when on the defensive saw him notch up wins from behind in Oslo and even at the Asian event. He also has some unfinished business after finishing fifth at the Budapest edition in 2019.

But one wrestler who can keep him quiet is Bayramov. A late replacement for the injured Khadzhimurad Gadzhiyev (AZE) in Azerbaijan's Tokyo Olympic lineup, Bayramov makes his opponents work hard for their points even from an advantageous position.

Turan BAYRAMOVTuran BAYRAMOV (AZE) is a U23 world champion at 65kg from 2019. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Bayramov has a 13-5 record this season, but all five of his losses came against wrestlers who have World or European titles to their names. His losses came against Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL), Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO), Keegan OTOOLE (USA) and Israil KASUMOV (RUS).

Russia's Kazharov may not have international experience but his performance at the Ali Aliev was one to watch as he defeated Azamat NURYKAU (BLR) in the final. Kazharov was trailing 3-2 and Nurykau held on to his own defense in the second period until the final 10 seconds.

Kazharov got a single-leg attack and Nurykau tried to throw the Russian over but it was Kazharov who scored four and won 6-3.

Grahmez only makes the field more interesting as he won the silver at '21 U23 Euros and can pull off an upset on the given day.

#WrestleBaku

Golden hattrick for Kougiomtsidis, historic gold for Lefter at U23 Euros

Saturday, May 25, 2024 - 16:08 By United World Wrestling Press

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BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 25) -- Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) seems to enjoy competing against Azerbaijani wrestlers.

In September last year at the World Championships, the former European champion got the better of Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) in the fifth-place bout to book his Paris Olympics quota. On Saturday, he underlined his preparedness for this summer’s Games by defeating another Azerbaijan wrestler, Ali TCOKAEV (AZE).

And in doing so, he completed a rare golden hat-trick. A U23 European champion in 2022 and 2023, Kougioumtsidis completed the ‘three-peat’ in style. The 22-year-old needed barely five minutes to reach the semifinals, where he had to dig into his experience to overcome rookie wrestler Arsen BALAIAN (AIN).

Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) won his third successive U23 European Championships gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In the final, Kougioumtsidis was up against the local hero Tcokaev. Only 21, the Azerbaijan wrestler was looking for his first-ever gold medal in this competition. Like his opponent, Tcokaev looked sharp coming into the final and he was the one making all the early moves. But in a blink of an eye, the wrestler from Greece turned the 79kg final on its head.

Kougioumtsidis was placed on the passivity clock just over a minute into the bout. That call seemed to have woken him up from his slumber. As the clock ticked down, Kougioumtsidis first went for Tcokaev’s left leg but the Azerbaijani was quick to defend. He then went for the right. This time, not only did he successfully execute the single-leg attack, but Kougioumtsidis also tripped him for a four-pointer.

Tcokaev tried making a comeback but Kougioumtsidis used his long limbs to keep his opponent at bay and closed out the match 4-1, not scoring any more points.

It was a statement win. But it also broke the hearts of the home fans who were expecting to see their wrestlers turn on the style on the penultimate day of the championships. Instead, they had to witness two Azerbaijani defeats in the finals.

Inalbek SHERIEV (AIN)Inalbek SHERIEV (AIN) won the 70kg gold medal after beating Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) in the final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Moments before Tcokaev lost to Kougioumtsidis, Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) was defeated 6-2 by Inalbek SHERIEV (AIN) in the 70kg final.

Sheriev’s was one of the three Individual Neutral Athletes who won gold medals on Saturday. The finals session on the second last day of championships began with Artem GOBAEV (AIN) beating Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR) 8-3 for the 57kg gold medal.

Gobaev was dominant throughout the final, deftly evading Karavus’s moves and launching vicious counterattacks to give his Turkish rival no chance of winning and being crowned as the U23 continental champion for the first time.

Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (AIN)Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (AIN) captured the 65kg title after beating defending champion Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

If Gobaev was patient enough to capitalize on his opponent’s mistakes, Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (AIN) was like a flashy sports car that takes less than 10 seconds to go full throttle.

Since winning the U23 World Championship title last year, Ibragimov hasn’t had a lot to show from his fledgling wrestling career. Big wins and titles have both been missing. That drought ended in Baku.

Ibragimov had spent less than 10 minutes on the mat on Friday to reach the final, scoring 21 points and allowing just one. But in Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA), he was up against the defending U23 European Championship gold medallist in the 65kg final.

He might not have won anything eye-popping of late, but Ibragimov didn’t look too overwhelmed by the quality of his opponent. The Frenchman was still to settle into the final when Ibragimov bent forward and got a grip of his leg for a swift two-point takedown.

The bout was only eight seconds old, but from that moment on, the writing was on the wall. Ibragimov kept chipping away constantly at his opponent to keep the scorecard ticking in his favor through a series of push-outs and passivity points Arsamerzouev conceded.

Eventually, in the battle between the U23 world champion, Ibragimov, and the U23 European champion, it was the former who prevailed 6-2.

Radu LEFTER (MDA)Radu LEFTER (MDA) celebrates after winning the 97kg gold medal, a first for Moldova at the U23 European Championships in Freestyle. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Lefter wins historic gold

Radu LEFTER (MDA) will remember this day for a long time. Not only did he win his first gold medal at a championship, Lefter became the first wrestler from Moldova to win a Freestyle gold medal at the U23 European Championships after he defeated Soslan DZHAGAEV (AIN) in the final.

A two-time U23 World Championships silver medalist, Lefter got a huge baggage off his back after winning the gold in Baku. This was Lefter's fourth U23 European Championships where he has previously won a silver and two bronze medals. He also has a silver at the U20 and a bronze at the U17 European Championships.

In Baku, Lefter reached the final after two technical superiority wins but was challenged by Dzhagaev. He was put on the activity clock in the first period and trailed 1-0 at the break. But the second period was a completely different story.

Dzhagaev was put on the activity clock during which he hit a single-leg attack but Lefter countered it with exposure to get two points in addition to one after the activity clock expired to lead 3-1. With the clock ticking, Dzhagaev felt the pressure and made half-attacks, including an inside trip in the final 10 seconds which Lefter countered for a takedown and secure the historic win.

Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE)2022 U23 European champion Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) will look to win his second title on Sunday. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Gadzhiev, Magamadov eye titles

On the final day of the competition, former U23 European champion Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) will face Kamil ABDULVAGABOV (AIN) for the bragging rights in the 74kg.

Abdulvagabov had to overcome a tough opening round where he was stretched all the way by Irahim YAPRAK (TUR) before winning 5-4. After that initial hiccup, Abdulvagabov had little trouble beating other opponents, winning the quarterfinal by technical superiority and scoring a 7-3 win over Krisztian BIRO (ROU).

Gadzhiev’s route was a lot more straightforward wherein he didn’t have to survive any scares, scoring 28 points so far and conceding only 6.

The battle in the 86kg weight class, too, promises to be a mouthwatering as defending champion Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) will face Arslan BAGAEV (AIN). Only 20, Magamadov has a slew of titles to his name and will hope to add another U23 European title to his already impressive trophy cabinet.

In the 125kg class, Alen KHUBULOV (BUL) gave himself a fighting chance to win his first-ever gold medal at an international level after he reached the final, where he will face SOLOMON MANASHVILI (GEO).

Both wrestlers have had more or less an identical path to the final, with Khubulov playing an extra bout as he had to first compete in the qualifying round, which he convincingly won.

df

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Artem GOBAEV (AIN) df. Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR), 8-3

BRONZE: Luka GVINJILIA (GEO) df. Thomas EPP (SUI), 4-1
BRONZE: Vladyslav ABRAMOV (UKR) df. Herbert AKAPIAN (AIN), 8-3

65kg
GOLD: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (AIN) df. Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA), 6-2

BRONZE: Serghei CILCIC (MDA) df. Daniel KULCZYNSKI (POL), 4-0
BRONZE: Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR) df. Ayub MUSAEV (BEL), 3-2

70kg
GOLD: Inalbek SHERIEV (AIN) df. Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE), 6-2

BRONZE: Constantin CHIRILOV (MDA) df. Bohdan OLIINYK (UKR), 3-1
BRONZE: Davit PATSINASHVILI (GEO) df. Mikita DZEMCHANKA (AIN), 5-0

79kg
GOLD: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) df. Ali TCOKAEV (AZE), 4-1

BRONZE: Radomir STOYANOV (BUL) df. Marius RETCO (MDA), 6-4
BRONZE: Arsen BALAIAN (AIN) df. RAFFAELE MATRULLO (ITA), via fall (2-0)

97kg
GOLD: Radu LEFTER (MDA) df. Soslan DZHAGAEV (AIN), 6-1

BRONZE: Rifat GIDAK (TUR) df. Ravan MUSAYEV (AZE), 2-2
BRONZE: Merab SULEIMANISHVILI (GEO) df. Angelos KOUKLARIS (GRE), 10-8

Freestyle Semifinals

61kg
GOLD: Bashir MAGOMEDOV (AIN) vs. Mykyta ABRAMOV (UKR)

SF 1: Mykyta ABRAMOV (UKR) df. Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE), 15-12
SF 2: Bashir MAGOMEDOV (AIN) df. Simone PIRODDU (ITA), 10-0

74kg
GOLD: Kamil ABDULVAGABOV (AIN) vs. Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE)

SF 1: Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) df. Luka CHKHITUNIDZE (GEO), 7-4
SF 2: Kamil ABDULVAGABOV (AIN) df. Krisztian BIRO (ROU), 7-3

86kg
GOLD: Arslan BAGAEV (AIN) vs. Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA)

SF 1: Arslan BAGAEV (AIN) df. Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE), 5-1
SF 2: Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) df. Emre CIFTCI (TUR), 11-0

92kg
GOLD: Gkivi BLIATZE (GRE) vs. Adlan VISKHANOV (FRA)

SF 1: Adlan VISKHANOV (FRA) df. Mustafagadzhi MALACHDIBIROV (AIN), 10-4
SF 2: Gkivi BLIATZE (GRE) df. Ion DEMIAN (MDA), 4-2

125kg
GOLD: Alen KHUBULOV (BUL) vs. Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO)

SF 1: Alen KHUBULOV (BUL) df. Abdulla KURBANOV (AIN), 3-2
SF 2: Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) df. Milan KORCSOG (HUN), 4-1