#WrestlePlovdiv: Chkhikvadzes Guide Georgia to GR Team Title

Wednesday, March 9, 2022 - 20:09 By Vinay Siwach

PLOVDIV, Bulgaria (March 9) -- When Diego and Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) returned from the Junior World Championships in Ufa, Russia last year, they were upset. The two had to be satisfied with silver medals after losing their finals.

On their way back to Georgia, they promised each other that in the next competition, both are going to take home a gold.

Both Chkhikvadze's kept their promise they won the gold medals at 67kg and 72kg at the U23 European Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

“We have gold together at Junior Euros,” Diego said. “We have silver medals in Ufa but we did not want to win silver here.”

Georgia had five finalists in five weight classes Wednesday and three ascended to the top of the podium. Azerbaijan and Netherlands managed to win a gold each as Greco-Roman came to an end at the first continental championships of the year.

“When we had the camp in Tiblisi before this tournament, we prepared really hard,” Sergo NINUA, coach of the Georgian team, said. “We expected more gold medals but even four is good for now.”

The four gold along with three silver and bronze helped their team win the team title with 183 points. Turkey finished second with 156 points while Azerbaijan was third with 102 points.

But the highlight of the day for Georgia was the two Chkhikvadzes winning back-to-back gold medals.

Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), red, defeated Kadir KAMAL (TUR) in the 67kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Diego, a Batumi native, began the trend as he eked out a tough win against Kadir KAMAL (TUR), 3-2. He took the lead when Kamal was called passive and extended it with a body lock throw for two points.

In the second period, Kamal got the first point but he could not get a point when he stopped halfway in a gut-wrench. With the score still 3-1 in Diego's favor, Kamal managed to get a stepout from 2-on-1 after Turkey won the challenge.

Kamal tried his best to score in the final 24 seconds but it remained 3-2 as Diego added a U23 Euro title to his two junior Euro titles.

“I had an anke injury,” Chkhikvadze said. “I was not sure of coming here but I wanted to win the gold and it was a tough final but feels good to win it.”

Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), blue, throws Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR) for two points. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Giorgi followed him by winning the second gold of the night for his country. Incidentally, he also beat a Turkey wrestler in Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR).

“The final was one crazy bout because we both wanted to win,” the 21-year-old said. “It was more of a brawl because in wrestling you don't want to give anything to your opponent.”

Wrestling at 72kg, Toprak was called passive in the first period and Giorgi managed to get a throw from par terre to lead 3-0. But a 2-on-1 position resulted in Toprak coming out on top and cutting the lead to just one point, 3-2.

But Giorgi led by three points, 5-2, after Toprak received his second warning for an eye poke. An aggressive open-hand attack resulted in another warning and two points against Toprak.

But after the break, Giorgi was called passive and Toprak scored from a gut wrench to trail 7-5 with 1:52 remaining on the clock.

The final two minutes were filled with several warnings for both wrestlers from the referee but the Georgian managed to hong on for the win.

“My weight had 20 participants including the U23 world champion [Idris BAEV (GER)],” he said. “That is why this gold is a little special.”

Giorgi, who began wrestling when was six years old, had upset Baev Tuesday in the quarterfinal with a 9-3 score.

But as the two posed for photos with kids in the Kolodrom Plovdiv stadium, they did that with a warning that they are not brothers.

“Of course, people confuse us for brothers,” Giorgi said. “When people click photos with us, they tag us wrongly on social media. But we don't mind it because we are best friends and it's okay if someone calls us brothers.”

Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) celebrates after winning the 97kg gold. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

The third gold for Georgia came at 97kg when Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) overcame Markus RAGGINGER (AUT), 5-3 in the final.

Katsanashvili scored via a takedown early in the bout but interestingly, he was called passive later. Ragginger, looking for Austria's first gold at U23 level, managed to score from par terre to lead 3-2.

But as the second period began, he was called passive and Katsanashvili once again took the lead, this time 3-3 on criteria. The Georgian was called passive again but the third passivity gave no points to his opponent, who failed to score from par terre this time.

Trailing on criteria, Ragginger went for a pushout but his momentum gave an easy takedown to Katsanashvili who won the bout 5-3.

“It's great for us that we win the team title in 2017, 2018, 2019 and now 2022,” Ninua said. “Being a small country, you can understand how happy we are.”

The only two wrestlers managed to stop Georgia from having a perfect night.

The match-winning four-point throw from Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), blue. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 60kg, Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) needed just over two minutes to go past Irakli DZIMISTARISHVILI (GEO), 9-0 in the final.

The former cadet World and European champion showed some crafty wrestling, throwing his opponent twice to secure the win. He started with a takedown and then a big throw for two more points. The referees called it a leg-foul but Azerbaijan challenged the call and won, extending Mammadli's lead to 4-0.

In just one minute and 37 seconds, he finished with a gut wrench but this time, he made a leg foul. But he needed just 36 seconds more to finish the bout, executing a four-pointer.

Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) celebrates after winning the 82kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Junior world champion Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) was the other wrestler to win the gold. He defeated Beka GURULI (GEO), 6-2 in the 82kg final.

After a slow start in the first period in which he was called passive, Sterkenburg up the tempo and just before the break, he scored via a pushout.

He led 2-1 after Guruli's passivity in the second period but failed to score from par terre. With just 36 seconds remaining, Sterkenburg managed to get a headlock and four points to win 6-1.

His brother Tyrone, who was a silver medalist at 87kg at the Junior Worlds, jumped up to 97kg and won a bronze medal.

Wednesday also saw women's wrestling and world champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) and defending champion Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) made it to the 68kg and 59kg gold medal bout respectively.

Gerogia

RESULTS

GR Medal Bouts

60kg
GOLD: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df Irakli DZIMISTARISHVILI (GEO), 9-0

BRONZE: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) df Mukremin AKTAS (TUR), 6-4
BRONZE: Tigran MINASYAN (ARM) df Krisztian KECSKEMETI (HUN), 7-6

67kg
GOLD: Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df Kadir KAMAL (TUR), 3-2

BRONZE: Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM) df Ignazio SANFILIPPO (ITA), 5-3
BRONZE: Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) df Konstantinas KESANIDI (LTU), 9-0

72kg
GOLD: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR), 7-5

BRONZE: Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM) df Attila TOESMAGI (HUN), via fall
BRONZE: Idris IBAEV (GER) df Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR), 2-1

82kg
GOLD: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) df Beka GURULI (GEO), 6-2

BRONZE: Semion BREKKELI (MDA) df Vasile COJOC (ROU), 1-1
BRONZE: Branko KOVACEVIC (SRB) df Erik LOESER (GER), 6-3

97kg
GOLD: Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) df Markus RAGGINGER (AUT), 5-3

BRONZE: Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED) df Marcus WORREN (NOR), 5-1
BRONZE: Mustafa OLGUN (TUR) df Richard KARELSON (EST), 9-0

WW Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Szimonetta SZEKER (HUN) vs Emma LUTTENAUER (FRA)

SF 1: Szimonetta SZEKER (HUN) df Shahana NAZAROVA (AZE), via fall
SF 2: Emma LUTTENAUER (FRA) df Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR), 5-2

55kg
GOLD: Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE) vs Andreea ANA (ROU)

SF 1: Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE) df Mihaela SAMOIL (MDA), 11-4
SF 2: Andreea ANA (ROU) df Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), 2-1

59kg
GOLD: Magdalena GLODEK (POL) vs Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)

SF 1: Magdalena GLODEK (POL) df Morena DE VITA (ITA), 10-9
SF 2: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df Anna SZEL (HUN), via inj. def.

68kg
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA) vs Asli DEMIR (TUR)

SF 1: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df Sophia SCHAEFLE (GER), 10-0
SF 2: Asli DEMIR (TUR) df Nigar MIRZAZADA (AZE), via fall

76kg
GOLD: Bernadett NAGY (HUN) vs Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU)

SF 1: Bernadett NAGY (HUN) df Mehtap GULTEKIN (TUR), 11-0
SF 2: Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU) df Marion BYE (NOR), 3-0

#WrestleBucharest

Semenov denies Kayaalp European gold, history

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 - 06:31 By Vinay Siwach

BUCHAREST, Romania (February 13) -- Riza KAYAALP (TUR) seemed unstoppable. He got the par terre position, he got the stepout in the second period to reduce the chances of a passivity call against him, the stands were full of his supporters and his family was waiting patiently like everyone else.

Kayaalp was two minutes and 30 seconds away from becoming a 13-time European champion. He was on track. Then Sergei SEMENOV (AIN) wrapped Kayaalp with his arms like a seatbelt and threw the 130kg wrestler for a slam. He held Kayaalp in that position till the referee called it a pin.

In a match where Kayaalp was hoping to go past Aleksandar KARELIN's record of 12 European Championships gold medals, Kayaalp got pinned and fell short. Semenov would get the pin with just over two minutes remaining in the bout.

"I’ve been practicing that throw for a long time, it’s my signature move," Semenov said.

Sergei SEMENOV (AIN) pins Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in the 130kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Leading 1-0 at the break after his par terre advantage, Kayaalp got a stepout to make it 2-0. Semenov remained calm and began pushing Kayaalp toward the zone with a body lock. Kayaalp maintained his distance from Semenov. As Semenov tried to push Kayaalp more, the latter resisted it and Semenov was smart enough to use Kayaalp's forward momentum to complete the throw.

Kayaalp was on the mat. The Bucharest crowd let out a sigh together. Semenov was not letting Kayaalp move. The referee asked for a pin and the judges confirmed it.

A heartbroken and shocked Kayaalp took his time to stand up but he knew that it was over. He will have to wait to be Europe's most successful wrestler.

Semenov on the other hand rushed to his coach who slammed him in a celebration.

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"Everyone knows, that only a few can clinch, but I could do it and I felt that I could make that throw and I’ve done it," Semenov said. "I think we wrestled equally. He pushed me out at the beginning of the second period, but I was calm and I knew I could score points."

Despite his celebrations, Semenov showed to his opponent, walking to him after both were off the mat and sharing a hug.

"I didn’t pay attention to his records. He is a legendary wrestler," he said. "It’s even more enjoyable to win against such wrestlers, there is two times more motivation. It’s possible to say that it’s one of the biggest victories in my career."

Aleksandar KOMAROV (SRB) won his first-ever European Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Turkiye suffered more heartbreak as world champion Ali CENGIZ (TUR) dropped his 87kg final 4-1 against Aleksandar KOMAROV (SRB) who won his first European gold medal.

As soon as the final began, Komarov used an arm drag to pull Cengiz who fled towards the zone. Komarov scored a stepout and was also awarded a point for Cengiz's fleeing. He was awarded the par terre advantage but Cengiz did well to avoid conceding any points. In the second period, Cengiz got the par terre advantage but he appealed to the referee that Komarov was blocking his attack.

The referee called it clean and Turkiye challenged. The jury upheld the decision of the referee, giving one more point to Komarov.

"I am very thrilled, I don't even know what to say, to be honest," Komarov said. "I was ready and I did some good wrestling. I'm very satisfied with everything that happened today."

The 87kg weight class was one of the deepest brackets in Bucharest and Komarov had to go through beating defending champion Istvan TAKACS (HUN), Tokyo Olympic champion Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) and Islam ABBASOV (AZE) in the semifinal. However, Komarov said that he did not think too much about the bracket.

"I didn't look at the draw before the competition day," he said. "When I finally saw the draw, to be honest, I was very surprised in that moment. But, I set my head that I have to suffer and that I have to do what I do and what we practiced at the training."

Bucharest hosted the European Championships in 2019 and Komarov was part of that competition. He finished with a bronze medal which was his first international loss. In January, he was in Zagreb for the Ranking Series and won bronze.

"I went Porec for training camp after Zagreb," he said. "There were 250 athletes and after a couple of days we went back home to rest and then we went to Zrenjanin for 10 days for training."

In two months, Komarov will be looking to win an Olympic quota for Serbia in Baku,

"It is my wish and goal to get quota for the Olympic Games," he said. "I'm focused on that right now, it is my goal, and with God's help everything ends up like I wish to be."

Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) throws Yunus BASAR (TUR) for four points in the 77kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Amoyan wins third gold

Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) won his third consecutive European gold medal and second at 77kg after beating Yunus BASAR (TUR) 7-0 in a very one-sided final.

Basar never got going in the final as Amoyan got the first par terre and scored an out-of-bounds point which he got only after a challenge. Leading 2-0 at the break, there was no change in strategy from Amoyan in the second period and he continued his offense wrestling. Amoyan scored a takedown and then lifted Basr for a four-point throw.

Basar challenged the move but the jury saw no foul in any sequence, giving Amoyan a 7-0 lead and the win.

"Winning third time was particularly challenging because all my opponents were preparing specifically for me. I am thrilled," Amoyan said. "The Turkish wrestler [Basar] is one of the strongest wrestlers in our weight class. I never underestimate him, always prepare to wrestle him 100 percent to show my wrestling, and on the mat, the one who is in the best shape wins at that moment."

Amoyan was a world champion at 72kg but has won two bronze medals since moving to the Olympic weight class of 77kg.

"I'm doing everything to become a world champion in the 77 kg category. I will prepare properly. It's time to forget this victory and move forward. Time will reveal everything," he said. "I will prepare for the Olympics just like I prepare for other tournaments. I need to be mentally prepared to win gold there, and it's not far away."

At 55kg, Artium DELEANU (MDA) became the second Moldova wrestler to became the European champion in Greco-Roman after he pinned Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE).

Mammadov had a 3-0 lead but Deleanu used a body lock to pin Mammadov down in the 55kg final.

Azerbaijan did win a gold medal as world silver medalist Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) defeated Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR), 2-1 in the 63kg final. The gold was Mammadov first-ever gold medal at a world or continental championships.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Artium DELEANU (MDA) df. Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE), via fall (5-3)

BRONZE: Denis MIHAI (ROU) df. Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO), via fall (9-0)
BRONZE: Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM) df. Stefan GRIGOROV (BUL), 8-0

63kg
GOLD: Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR), 2-1

BRONZE: Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) df. Stefan CLEMENT (FRA), 1-1
BRONZE: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (AIN) df. Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LTA), 9-0

77kg
GOLD: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Yunus BASAR (TUR), 7-0

BRONZE: Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) df. Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO), 8-0
BRONZE: Adlet TIULIUBAEV (AIN) df. Alexandrin GUTU (MDA), 13-4

87kg
GOLD: Aleksandar KOMAROV (SRB) df. Ali CENGIZ (TUR), 4-1

BRONZE: Kiryl MASKEVICH (AIN) df. Alex KESSIDIS (SWE), 12-1
BRONZE: Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 2-1

130kg
GOLD: Sergei SEMENOV (AIN) df. Riza KAYAALP (TUR), via fall (4-2)

BRONZE: Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) df. Oskar MARVIK (NOR), 2-2
BRONZE: Danila SOTNIKOV (ITA) df. Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO), via fall (9-0)

#WrestlePlovdiv: Chkhikvadzes Guide Georgia to GR Team Title

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Semenov denies Kayaalp European gold, history