#WrestleZagreb

Zagreb Open Day 4: Bisultanov vs Losonczi; U.S. dominates WW

Saturday, February 8, 2025 - 07:09 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

ZAGREB, Croatia (February 8) -- The Zagreb Open 2025 enters day four with Greco-Roman 77kg and 87kg weight classes, perhaps two of most populated weight classes in the world. Women's Wrestling will continue with 57kg, 72kg and 76kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | BLADES SUPLEX

13:35: David LOSONCZI (HUN) and Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) set up their Paris Olympic bronze medal bout rematch for the 87kg final in Zagreb.

Losonczi got going from the whistle against Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) with a turn from par terre and then a stepout to lead 4-0 at the break. A stepout in the second period made it 5-0 and eliminated the chance of passivity against him. He wins 5-0.

Bisultanov survived two par terre positions and defended level to beat Milad ALIRZAEV (AIN) 1-1 and enter the final.

13:25: In the two semifinals at 77kg, Sergei STEPANOV (AIN) blows away Sergei KUTUZOV (AIN) while Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) falls to Zoltan LEVAI (HUN). Stepanov got the par terre in the first period and used a reverse lift for five points and a correct throw for two more to win 8-0. In the other semifinal, Levai led 4-0 at the break and added a stepout in the second to win 5-1

13:10: Skylar GROTE (USA) has been in a league of her own today. She puts up another technical superiority win, beating Veronika VILK (CRO) 11-0 at 72kg.

We have moved the Mat B bouts to Mat A for the semifinals

12:45: Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) is into the semifinals at 87kg. He breaks Croatian hearts by beating Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) 5-1 in the quarterfinals. He will take on David LOSONCZI (HUN)

12:42: Former U17 world champion and U20 world silver medalist Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) is into the semifinals at 77kg. He defeats Illia VALEUSKI (AIN) 6-4 and will take on Zoltan LEVAI (HUN)

12:37: David LOSONCZI (HUN) and Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) in a Paris rematch at 87kg. Losonczi is called for a singlet pull but Komarov is called passive first. Losonczi, lead 1-1 on criteria, hits a throw from par terre for four and lead 5-1. Komarov with a go behind takedown to cut the lead to 5-3. But Losonczi with his pace gets a stepout and make it 6-3 at the break. No more action or par terre calls in the second period and Losonczi wins 6-3.

12:25: Sergei KUTUZOV (AIN) blasts two reverse lifts for four points each and wins his quarterfinal against Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) 9-0. Spectacular throws from Kutuzov

12:20: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) keeps U20 world champion Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) in check and goes on to win 3-0. A passivity point in the first period and then a takedown in the second is all he needed

12:10: Anes GANIBOV (AIN) with a hard fought 9-4 win over Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) at 87kg. Sterkenburg struggled with his conditioning in the second period and Ganibov was happy to play it out till the clock expired.

12:05: Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) scores a reversal and a stepout to beat Ihar YARASHEVICH (AIN) 4-2 at 87kg. He is into the quarterfinals and will take on Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) who defeated Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) 8-4.

11:55: Sergei KUTUZOV (AIN) comes out with duck under and scores a takedown with six seconds on the clock to beat Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) 4-3. The local are in shock as Kamenjasevic was about to pull off a big upset

11:50: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) passes another test. Up against Amir ABDI (IRI), Gutu comes out with a stepout and takedown in the second period to claim a 4-3 win over Abdi.

11:47: David LOSONCZI (HUN) keeps it simple against Vjekoslav LUBURIC (CRO) and goes to a 9-0 victory to book his quarterfinal spot at 87kg.

11:35: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) comes out with a four pointer later in the bout and gets a 7-1 win over Robert FRITSCH (HUN) at 77kg.

11:25: Another pin for U23 world champion Yelena MAKOYED (USA)! Valeriia TRIFONOVA (AIN) got an arm throw for four points to make it 7-4 but Makoyed was unfazed. She got the double arm lock and pinned Trifonova

11:20: U20 world champion Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) makes a great Ranking Series debut. He beats Tamas LEVAI (HUN) 6-1 at 87kg and will take on Paris Olympic bronze medalist Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) next.

11:13: Exacue MAKUBU (NOR) with a 6-3 win over Mate MANDIC (CRO). He was leading 4-0 but Mandic got the passivity in the second period and turned Makubu, who blocked the second turn to make it 6-3 and held on to that lead.

11:10: Quick work from David LOSONCZI (HUN) who scores a takedown before getting the par terre advantage. He rolls Milos PEROVIC (SRB) and gets the 9-0 win at 87kg.

11:05: Big match at 87kg as Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) takes on Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB). Huseynov defends his par terre position in the first period. As Komarov is called passive in second, Huseynov is about to lift him when Komarov intentionally moves backwards. The referee confirms fleeing and docks Komarov for a point. Serbia challenges the call but the caution is upheld giving Huseynov a 3-1 lead. Komarov scores two stepouts in last 15 seconds and is also called for a fleeing and Komarov wins 4-3. Azerbaijan challenge the fleeing call but fleeing is upheld as Komarov wins 5-3. 

10:50: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) keeps it simple in his opening bout at 77kg. He wins 1-1 on criteria against Aleksa ILIC (SRB).

10:45: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) taking Amin KAVIYANI (IRI) to the cleaners! In the first bout at 77kg, Gutu got the first period par terre advantage and then reverse lifted Kaviyani for a five-point throw. He added two steps in the second period to win 8-0

10:42: Amir Ali ABDI (IRI) with a classic arm throw to beat Akseli YLI HANNUKSELA (FIN) 10-0 at 77kg. He is bidding to be Iran's representative at Asian Championships.

10:36: Great start for the United States as Yelena MAKOYED (USA) at 76kg and Skylar GROTE (USA) at 72kg both win their bouts with ease. Makoyed pins Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU) and Grote gets a 10-0 win over Noemi OSVATH NAGY (HUN).

10:30: Welcome to day four in Zagreb. Women's Wrestling will have 57kg, 72kg and 76kg wrestlers while Greco-Roman will see wrestlers in 77kg and 87kg. Since there is only Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) and Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) in 57kg, it will be the final to be held in the evening session.

#WrestleTirana

Six-Time World Champ Sadulaev is Now Six-Time European Champ

Saturday, April 25, 2026 - 19:29 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

TIRANA, Albania (April 25) -- "Six-time world champion, six-time European champion."

Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) says the sentence has a "nice ring to it."

In 2024, Sadulaev wrestled at his first World Championships in three years in Tirana and won his sixth world title. On Saturday and in Tirana, Sadulaev wrestled at his first European Championships in six years and won his sixth European gold medal.

UWW Plus

Sadulaev, who is now unbeaten in 26 bouts in Europe, outwrestled Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK), 14-3, in the 97kg final. However, it was Tsakulov who opened the scoring in the final.

"Tirana has become such a lucky place for me," Sadulaev said. "In just two months, I’ve already managed to visit here for the second time. Two years ago, I won the World Championships here. The welcome here is so warm. The crowd and the atmosphere were absolutely top-notch."

In front of a packed Feti Borova Olympic Park Arena, Sadulaev lived up to the expectation of a world champion he was crowned at the same arena in 2024.

Barring the first attack from Tsakulov, Sadulaev remained in complete control of his final, and completed his 17th win via technical superiority in all European history.

Tsakulov surprised Sadulaev as he shot a double-leg early in the match and the latter tried to defend using a chest-wrap. But Tsakulov kept the pressure and put Sadulaev in danger to get his two points. Sadulaev quickly reversed and scored one point before turning Tsakulov three times for a 7-2 lead.

Sadulaev challenged the decision, which he later realized that he shouldn't have, and lost it as all the scoring was accurate. Tsakulov was awarded a point for the lost challenge.

Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW)Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW), red, battles it out against Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) in the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In the second period, Tsakulov threatened with some quick attacks but Sadulaev was quick on his feat to escape. He managed to score a stepout to extend his lead to 8-3. With 20 seconds remaining, Tsakulov tried another double-leg attack but Sadulaev was ready for it, countering it with a go-behind and scored a takedown.

Sadulaev could have well defended his lead but in the final 10 seconds, he hit his own attacks, scoring a takedown and then a turn to finish the bout 14-3.

"I’ve known Tsakulov since 2012," he said. "Back then we were both in the junior ranks, and he was already competing for the national team. We were competing in almost the same weight class at the time. Ever since then, I’ve known that you really can’t let your guard down against him at all. He’s capable of attacking at any moment."

After winning the final, Sadulaev was relieved to regain the top spot in the continent and said it gave him "peace."

"The last time I competed at the European Championships was six years ago in Rome," he said. "I really missed the international stage and the official competitions like the European Championships, the World Championships and the Olympic Games. They’re not like other ranking events, no other competition can compare to these.

"That’s why this victory was particularly important to me, so that I could have peace and a place in Europe."

But when asked to pick his most memorable European title among the once won in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2020, Sadulaev picked his first gold he won in 2014 in Finland. Wrestling at 86kg then, Sadulaev defeated Murad GAIDAROV (BLR), 5-2, in the final and outscored his opponents 50-3 in five bouts.

"The first one I ever won," he said. "It was in Finland, in the town of Vantaa, I remember. I won quite easily and confidently there. But I was probably hungry back then, and I still am now."

Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW)Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) looks at his medal during the European Championships in Tirana. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Sadulaev is perhaps hungry for his seventh world title that he could win later this year after winning them in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2024.

"I’ve been keeping an eye on them [97kg opponents]," he said. "Unfortunately, last year I had to watch them on TV, both at the European Championships and the World Championships. So I’m keeping an eye on them, watching them, and moving forward."

But it won't be a straightforward quest. He would have to win the national championships, a virtual qualification for the World Championships.  

"If I do qualify, I think the 97kg category will be one of the most exciting World Championships in history. I really do," he said.

While that is still six months away, Sadulaev will be keen on regaining his 97kg world title which he last won five years ago in Oslo and change his record to seven-time world champion.

Akhmed USMANOV (UWW)Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) completes a takedown against Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) during the 79kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

In other marquee match on Saturday, Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) got the better of Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW), 4-2, in the 79kg final. Usmanov was awarded an activity period point after Kadzimahamedau was warned for passivity in the first period.

Kadzimahamedau was put on the activity clock again in the second period and it was during this that Usmanov hit a double-leg attack to make it 3-0. When the activity clock expired, his lead extended to 4-0. It was only in the final few seconds that Kadzimahamedau managed a takedown but failed to get anything more.

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) celebrates his 2-1 victory over Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) in the 70kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Defending champion at 70kg David BAEV (UWW) saw off the challenge of rising star and U23 European champion Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) and retained his gold medal after a 2-1 victory in the final.

Baev needed a stepout in the second period to take a clear one-point lead and then kept Gaidarli at a distance to win his second consecutive Euro title.

Bashir MAGOMEDOV (UWW)Bashir MAGOMEDOV (UWW) scores two points on Islam DUDAEV (ALB) in the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

At 65kg, Bashir MAGOMEDOV (UWW) stunned the home fans by beating home-favorite and Olympic bronze medalist Islam DUDAEV (ALB) in what turned out be a very one-sided final, beating Dudaev 10-0.

After a slow start to the final, it was Dudaev who blinked first, shooting for a far-fetched attack and Magomedov defended. It resulted in both wrestlers being in a tangle, but Magomedov came out on top for two points.

Magomedov wrapped his hands around Dudaev's legs and brought him down for another two points before turning him for two more, leading 6-0 at the break.

Dudaev gave up two easy takedowns in the second period as Magomedov completed the technical superiority with two minutes left in the final.

Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE)Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 57kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

The 57kg final saw Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (UWW) stage an impressive comeback against Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) only to be denied in the final moments. Bazarganov led 8-0 before Mekhtikhanov scored six points in the second period. But he failed to score the making winning takedown and Bazarganov took the gold medal home.

Bazarganov used a slide-by to score the opening takedown for two points before an easy snapdown gave him two more points. He also rolled Mekhtikhanov to lead 6-0 after 1:12 in the match.

His third takedown also came using a slide-by and Mekhtikhanov fell on the mat as if he did not have any defense. Bazarganov led 8-0 at the break.

Mekhtikhanov woke up in the second period and managed to score a takedown after much effort to get on board with two points. A single-leg takedown made it 8-4 as Mekhtikhanov continued to reduce the gap. He used a sweep single to take off two more points but was left with only 17 seconds to score the match winning takedown.

But Bazarganov locked fingers, fled and threw his legs back when Mekhtikhanov attacked to save his lead and win the gold medal.

Photo

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) df. Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (UWW), 8-6

BRONZE: Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW) df. Roberti DINGASHVILI (GEO), 8-5
BRONZE: Manvel KHNDZRTSYAN (ARM) df. Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), 16-6

65kg
GOLD: Bashir MAGOMEDOV (UWW) df. Islam DUDAEV (ALB), 10-0

BRONZE: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Rashid BABAZADE (AZE), 7-0
BRONZE: Islam GUSEINOV (UWW) df. Ahmet DUMAN (TUR), 9-8

70kg
GOLD: David BAEV (UWW) df. Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA), 2-1

BRONZE: Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO) df. Oleksii BORUTA (UKR), 4-0
BRONZE: Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) df. Mikyay NAIM (BUL), 10-0

79kg
GOLD: Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) df. Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW), 4-2 

BRONZE: Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) df. Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM), 11-1
BRONZE: Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) df. Rasul SHAPIEV (MKD), 8-0

97kg
GOLD: Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) df. Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK), 14-3

BRONZE: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) df. Richard VEGH (HUN), 5-3
BRONZE: Akhmed MAGAMAEV (BUL) df. Radu LEFTER (MDA), via fall (4-2)

Semifinals

61kg
SF 1: Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM), via fall (4-3)
SF 2: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) df. Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE), 9-2

74kg
SF 1: Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 1-1
SF 2: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) df. Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO), 1-1

86kg
SF 1: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) df. Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), 9-4
SF 2: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) df. Ivars SAMUSONOK (LAT), 12-2

92kg
SF 1: Ahmed BATAEV (BUL) df. Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW), 3-2
SF 2: Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) df. Samuel SCHERRER (SUI), 6-0

125kg
SF 1: Vladislav BAJCAJEV (HUN) df. Mohsen SIYAR (GER), 4-3
SF 2: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) df. Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR), 3-1