#WrestleBudapest

#WrestleBudapest: Akgul beats Petriashvili to capture ninth European title

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 30) -- It was a lasting image. Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) finished their 125kg final but had no energy to stand up for the winner's announcement. Instead, the two sat, perhaps admiring each other after another memorable chapter in their fancied rivalry. The embrace after the bout was even more emotional.

Akgul, the defending European champion, defeated Petriashvili, 5-2, in the 125kg gold medal bout at the European Championships in Budapest, Hungary. He won his ninth European title and extended his head-to-head record against the Georgian at the Continental Championships to 5-1.

Five wrestlers claimed gold on Wednesday night, but the biggest of the lot was the 125kg match-up. Akgul was under pressure after finishing with bronze at the Olympics and World Championships, while Petriashvili had won silver at those two events.

Akgul held the center in the first period while Petriashvili was satisfied to play it out. Akgul scored three step-outs and a takedown to lead 5-0 at the break. But Petriashvili leveled up in the second period. There were a few scrambles where Petriashvili nearly scored, but Akgul managed to sneak out.

The Rio Olympic champion went for a double leg, but Petraishvili countered that with a go behind and cut the Turkish legend's lead to 5-2. The Georgian finally had the break he wanted, but Akgul was determined to have the gold around his neck.

AkgulTaha AKGUL (TUR), blue, and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) after their 125kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

"It was my goal to come here and break my own record of eight European gold," Akgul said. "It was a great fight against a great wrestler."

The mutual admiration between the two was visible at the medal ceremony, where Petriashvili did not hesitate to congratulate Akgul for his ninth title.

The Tokyo silver medalist enjoys a superior record against Akgul at the World Championships and the Turkey legend hopes he can break that streak soon.

"It's always dramatic with Geno [Petriashvili]," Akgul said. "It's crazy that I keep beating him at the Europeans but he has a streak against me at the Worlds. So I will try to keep winning the gold at Euros and will soon break his streak against me at the World Championships."

But it will be interesting to see when Petriashvili steps on the mat again. After suffering a heartbreaking loss in the Olympic final in Tokyo, many questioned if he would call it quits. Instead, he tried to become a world champion in Oslo, which ended with a silver medal.

Silver in Budapest may be the final nail in the coffin for Petriashvili who stepped down from the podium waving to the small section of Georgian fans in the stands, thanking them for the support of one of Georgia's greatest ever wrestlers.

AkturkFeyzullah AKTURK (TUR) added a senior European title to his U23 title. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Turkey won its second gold at 92kg when Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) defeated Ahmed BATAEV (BUL), 6-1, in the final. Akturk scored four step-outs and a takedown in a final, which he called 'exhausting.'

"I very proud to win and carry the [Turkey] flag," Akturk said. "The final was exhausting but with the gold medal, all the burden of the final fight fades away."

SalkazanovTajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) defended his 74kg European title in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 74kg, Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) defended his gold medal against two-time world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) in a thrilling final, winning it 7-6 in the final second. Chamizo was set to win 5-5 on criteria, but Salkazanov managed to score a step-out before the clock expired to take the win.

The bout began with a big whizzer from Chamizo, which gave him four points. Salkazanov thought his opponent had stepped out and challenged the call. However, he lost the challenge, and Chamizo led 5-0.

But in the second period, Salkazanov scored an out-of-bounds takedown and then added another. He scored the first step-out with seven seconds remaining and then the final one at the end.

Despite his back-to-back golds, the Oslo silver medalist was not satisfied with his wrestling and thought he could have won it a little easier.

"I am not satisfied with my wrestling," Salkazanov said. "In the beginning, I made a mistake, but even after that I didn't give up, I believed that I could win till the very end. I saw he stepped out and it seemed to me that I got the point. When I threw the challenge, I was still ready to keep wrestling. I was thinking that even if I get that one point, it doesn't mean anything. I had to do my best on the mat. So, I made it happen. I tried hard to attack and I made it."

It was similar to their 1/8 final bout of the '21 European Championships in Warsaw and where Salkazanov scored a four-pointer in the final 10 seconds to beat Chamizo.

But Salkazanov, who lost to Kyle DAKE (USA) in the final in Oslo, wants to better his result at the World Championships in Belgrade later this year.

"My main goal is to become the world champion," he said. "Last year I was one step away from it. After that, I was so disappointed because I was supposed to win that match. I hope this year I will make it happen."

HarutyunyanArsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) won his second European gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) also won his second European gold medal as he defeated former world silver medalist Suleyman ATLI (TUR) in the 61kg final. In a dominating performance, Harutyunyan won, 15-3.

Harutyunyan caught Atli by surprise when he threw him for four and then leg laced to lead 6-0. Another single-leg takedown made it 8-0 but Armenia asked for another exposure and the win. He lost the challenge and Atli scored a takedown to cut the Armenian's lead to 8-3.

The U23 World champion went straight on the offensive in the second period and got the takedown, during which Atli called for a medical timeout. When the bout resumed, Atli was forced in par terre, and Harutyunyan managed to finish the bout 15-3 with two gut wrenches.

Myles AMINEMyles AMINE (SMR) defeated Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) in the 86kg final to claim the gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

San Marino wins first gold

Tokyo bronze medalist Myles AMINE (SMR) added another page to San Marino's wrestling history when he won the nation's first-ever European Championships gold by beating Oslo bronze medalist Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE), 9-5, in the final.

Amine, who finished second at the USA's NCAA final two weeks ago, performed with exceptional composure against Abakarov to secure the gold.

"He [Abakarov] is funky," Amine said. "I got in on that first shot and it felt too easy. His left leg is his best defense so I tried to get my attacks on his right leg and that kind of started working and I opened up my attacks. He was a guy that I had to adapt against otherwise I was going to probably lose that match."

Amine was leading 5-4 at one point, but then he scored two takedowns in the final two minutes to steer clear of any Abakarov comeback.

Since winning San Marino's first-ever Olympic medal in wrestling, Amine has been improving and looks to continue that.

"Two weeks ago, I had a tough loss in the final of NCAA," he said. "I beat the guy in the final of Big 10 Championships. I was excited to come and compete to put that loss behind me. As much as I say that I have to agree that in the last 10 months, I have been blessed by god.

"I will take a few weeks off and come back again because that worked after Olympics. Go back to the drawing board and see where I can improve. I am sure I need to improve my par terre."

photo

RESULTS

61kg
GOLD: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df Suleyman ATLI (TUR), 15-3

BRONZE: Eduard GRIGOREV (POL) df Besir ALILI (MKD), 12-2
BRONZE: Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) df Gamzatgadzhi KHALIDOV (HUN), via inj. def.

74kg
GOLD: Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) df Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), 7-5

BRONZE: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) df Zurab KAPRAEV (ROU), 2-1
BRONZE: Giorgi SULAVA (GEO) df Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM), 17-5

86kg
GOLD: Myles AMINE (SMR) df Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE), 9-5 

BRONZE: Osman GOCEN (TUR) df Uri KALASHNIKOV (ISR), 8-8
BRONZE: Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) df Ivars SAMUSONOKS (LAT), 6-0

92kg
GOLD: Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) df Ahmed BATAEV (BUL), 6-1

BRONZE: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df Damian IGLESIAS VILELA (ESP), 11-0
BRONZE: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) df Georgii RUBAEV (MDA), 7-2

125kg
GOLD: Taha AKGUL (TUR) df Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), 5-2

BRONZE: Robert BARAN (POL) df Abraham CONYEDO RUANO (ITA), 3-2
BRONZE: Daniel LIGETI (HUN) df Magomedgadzhi NURASULOV (SRB), 6-4

WW Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) vs Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR)

SF 1: Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) df Anna LUKASIAK (POL), 4-2
SF 2: Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR) df Emilia VUC (ROU), 8-5

55kg
GOLD: Andreea ANA (ROU) vs Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR)

SF 1: Andreea ANA (ROU) df Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), 6-0
SF 2: Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) df Bediha GUN (TUR), via fall

59kg
GOLD: Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) vs Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)

SF 1: Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) df Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE), 3-1
SF 2: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df Elena BRUGGER (GER), 8-0

68kg
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA) vs Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA)

SF 1: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE), via fall
SF 2: Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) df Natalia STRZALKA (POL), 3-2 

76kg
GOLD: Epp MAEE (EST) vs Yasemin ADAR (TUR)

SF 1: Epp MAEE (EST) df Catalina AXENTE (ROU), 10-0
SF 2: Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df Bernadett NAGY (HUN), via fall

#WrestleBudapest

#WrestleBudapest: Greco-Roman bracket reactions

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 31) -- The final two days of the European Championships will see Greco-Roman wrestling in 10 weight classes. The draws for the same were completed Thursday.

The European Championships is the first competition that has four seeds in each weight class. The seeds are decided according to the United World Wrestling's Ranking system.

Here are the brackets for the 10 Greco-Roman weight classes.

55kg (10 participants)

Seeds
Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE)
Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO)
Fabian SCHMITT (GER)
Koriun SAHRADIAN (UKR)

The weight category has former world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) as the top seed and he will be waiting for the winner of Denis MIHAI (ROU) and Stefan GRIGOROV (BUL) in the quarterfinals. If he reaches the semifinal, he will have to face one of Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM) or fourth seed Koriun SAHRADIAN (UKR).

On the lower side, another world champ Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) is seeded second and he is likely to face U23 European champion Emre MUTLU (TUR) in the quarters. A semifinal against third seed Fabian SCHMITT (GER) will be a treat for the fans.

In rankings, Azizli and Tsurtsumia are ranked third and fourth, respectively, and both have 29000 points each. Both have a chance to be second if they can win at least a bronze medal. Whoever finishes ahead of the other will be ranked higher after the tournament.

60kg (16 participants)

Seeds:
Murad MAMMADOV (AZE)
Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM)
Razvan ARNAUT (ROU)
Justas PETRAVICIUS (LTU)

A category that has former European champion Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL), Kerem KAMAL (TUR) and Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) is guaranteed fireworks. Top seed Mammadov will avoid wrestling second seed Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM) until the final but to reach there, he has to go through Daniel BOBILLO VIGIL (ESP), Michal TRACZ (POL) or Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) in quarters, and probably Kamal in the semifinal. But Kamal will have Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) before reaching the semifinal.

If the seeds hold true, the lower side will be the semifinal between Zhora ABOVIAN (UKR) and Gharibyan. But Erik TORBA (HUN) and Nazaryan can pull off the upset.

63kg (13 participants)

Seeds:
Leri ABULADZE (GEO)
Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE)
Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM)
Victor CIOBANU (MDA)

World silver medalist Leri ABULADZE (GEO) is seeded number one in the 13-man bracket. He has the 60kg world champion and fourth seed Victor CIOBANU (MDA) on the same side which can make it difficult for him to advance to the final as the two can only meet in the semifinals. Etienne KINSINGER (GER) and Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR) are also on the upper side of the bracket.

Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) and Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) are seeded two and three respectively. The two are likely to meet in the semifinal.

67kg (18 participants)

Seeds
Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO)
Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)
Murat FIRAT (TUR)
Morten THORESEN (NOR)

World bronze medalist Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) will wrestle Andreas VETSCH (SUI) in his first bout before a likely quarterfinal against Krisztian VANCZA (HUN). But his toughest test could be number four seed Morten THORESEN (NOR) in the semifinals.

U23 and junior world champion Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) and Murat FIRAT (TUR) are seeded and can only meet in the semifinals. But to reach there, they have to go through some studs in Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), Dmytro MIROSHNYK (UKR), Sebastian NAD (SRB), Ivo ILIEV (BUL), Mateusz BERNATEK (POL), Christoph BURGER (AUT) and Witalis LAZOVSKI (GER).

72kg (16 participants)

Seeds
Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU)
Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL)
Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR)
Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE)

Lithuania's top seed Kristupas SLEIVA is expected to reach the final from the upper side of the bracket. But a tough semifinal against Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) can ruin his plans.

The lower side of the bracket is more stacked as second seed Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL) and Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR) may meet in the semifinal. But the bracket also has Olympic silver medalist Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) who is wrestling Sahakyan in the first round.

Ali ARSALAN (SRB), Robert FRITSCH (HUN), Mikko PELTOKANGAS (FIN), Valentin PETIC (MDA), and Pavel PUKLAVEC (CRO) are also on the same side and can upset any wrestler.

77kg (18 participants)

Seeds
Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE)
Viktor NEMES (SRB)
Yunus BASAR (TUR)
Oliver KRUEGER (DEN)

A potential quarterfinal between top Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) and 72kg world champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) may light up the European Championships. The winner will not have it easy ever after that. One of Oliver KRUEGER (DEN) or Per OLOFSSON (SWE) likely to meet in the semifinal.

On the lower side, the second seed Viktor NEMES (SRB) has local favorite Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) in the first round. Third seed Yunus BASAR (TUR) should not find it difficult to reach the semifinals.

82kg (18 participants)

Seeds
Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE)
Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR)
Ranet KALJOLA (EST)
Mihail BRADU (MDA)

Going by the results at Oslo World Championships and Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event, top seed Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) and second seed Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) should reach the final from either side of the bracket.

But trying to stop Huseynov from the top side will be U23 world champion Tamas LEVAI (HUN), junior world and U23 European champion Marcel STERKENBURG (NED), Karpet CHALAYAN (ARM) and fourth seed Mihail BRADU (MDA).

Akbudak will also have a tough road to the final as he faces Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) in the first round. Pascal EISELE (GER), Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) and third seed Ranet KALJOLA (EST) also await him.

87kg (16 participants)

Seeds
Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB)
Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL)
Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN)
Metehan BASAR (TUR)

Top seed and world champion Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) will have a chance to avenge his Yasar Dogu loss to Islam ABBASOV (AZE) in the quarterfinal in Budapest if he can get past Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) in the first round. Abbasov has Matej MANDIC (CRO) in the first round.

Seeded fourth, Metehan BASAR (TUR) is likely to make the semifinal on the upper side of the bracket.

Second seed Arkadiusz KULYNCZ (POL) and third seed Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) are favorites to reach the semifinals from the lower side of the bracket.

97kg (18 participants)

Seeds
Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN)
Kiril MILOV (BUL)
Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA)
Vilius LAURINAITIS (LTU)

The young star and Tokyo Olympic fifth place Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) is seeded number one for this weight class. He will have Murat LOKIAYEV (AZE) in the first round followed the quarterfinal against one of Revazi NADAREISHVILI (GEO), Aleksandar STJEPANETIC (SWE) and Laokratis KESIDIS (GRE).

Fourth seed Vilius LAURINAITIS (LTU) has the chance to reach the semifinal if he can beat Artur OMAROV (CZE) in the first round and one of Ramsin AZIZSIR (GER) or Daniel GASTL (AUT) in the quarterfinal.

From the lower side of the bracket, second seed Kiril MILOV (BUL) and third Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) are expected to reach the semifinals. But Felix BALDAUF (NOR), Michal DYBKA (POL) and Mihail KAJAIA (GEO) stand in their path.

130kg

Seeds
Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO)
Riza KAYAALP (TUR)
Beka KANDELAKI (AZE)
Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU)

Top seed and Tokyo silver medalist Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) is the favorite to reach the final from the top side of the bracket. From the lower side, second seed and defending champion Riza KAYAALP (TUR) will be eyeing his 11th title.

The only problem is third seed Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) who had pinned Kayaalp in Istanbul just a month back. The two can clash in the semifinals if they win all their prior bouts.