#WrestleBudapest

#WrestleBudapest Day Six Finals Preview Show

By Eric Olanowski

It’ll be an all-Greco final on Day Six, where we’ll crown continental champs at 55kg, 63kg, 77g, 87kg and 130kg

At 55kg, world champs Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) and Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) will meet for the fifth time in their career. The Azeri owns the 4-0 advantage against the energetic Georgian heading into tonight’s bout.

At 63kg, fans will be treated to the finals matchup between last year’s Euro runner-up Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) and world silver medalist Leri ABULADZE (GEO).

In the 77kg finals, Yunus BASAR (TUR) will try to stop Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) from improving on his 2021 European silver medal.

Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN), the U23 European silver medalist, will look to keep his hot streak alive against Nicu O-JOG (ROU) in the 87kg gold-medal bout.

We’ll close out the day with Riza KAYAALP (TUR) looking to cap off his quest for an 11th European title. He’ll wrestle Italy’s Danila SOTNIKOV for the 130kg gold.
 

Saturday’s gold-medal bouts:
55kg: Eldaniz AZIZLI ?? vs. Nugzari TSURTSUMIA ??
63kg: Taleh MAMMADOV ?? vs. Leri ABULADZE ??
77kg: Malkhas AMOYAN ?? vs. Yunus BASAR ??
87kg: Nicu OJOG ?? vs. Turpan BISULTANOV ??
130kg: Riza KAYAALP ?? vs. Danila SOTNIKOV ??

#UWWAwards

Muszukajev, Rosillo, Tosun tabbed Breakout Performers for 2023

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 15) — Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), Bose TOSUN (TUR) and Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) stunned the world with their performances in 2023 and have been named United World Wrestling’s Breakout Performances of the Year in Freestyle, Women’s Wrestling and Greco-Roman respectively.

Muszukajev was a two-time world bronze medalist before 2023 but orchestrated a stunning career turnaround with his performance in Belgrade. The 65kg weight saw Musukajev triumphantly seize the world title, overcoming defending champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and reigning Olympic gold medalist Takuto OTOGURO (JPN). In a defining moment in Belgrade, Muszukajev became Hungary’s second-ever world champion, bringing an end to a 44-year freestyle world title drought dating back to 1979.

Perhaps the most shocking run to the world title in Belgrade was that of Bose TOSUN (TUR) who captured the 68kg gold in the field that had Irina RINGACI (MDA), Ami ISHII (JPN), Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL), Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), Feng ZHOU (CHN), Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), among others. 

Tosun dominated her competition with five resounding victories, including three falls, solidifying her status alongside Yasemin ADAR (TUR) as Turkiye’s only women’s wrestling world champions.

Another top performance in Belgrade was by Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) who defeated two world champions, Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) and Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), in semifinal and final, transforming his 2019 ninth-place finish at the World Championships into a glorious 97kg gold medal.

A U20 world champion in 2019, Rosillo finished 13th at the Tokyo Olympics but has now made himself the top contender for the 97kg title in the Paris Olympics.