#WrestleAlmaty

Zare returns with eyes on world domination

Tuesday, May 31, 2022 - 12:13 By Vinay Siwach

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ALMATY, Kazakhstan (May 31) -- As he celebrated winning his first world title in Oslo last year, Amir ZARE (IRI) held up a virtual crown over his head, symbolizing that he is now the king of the heavyweight class.

This was two months after Gable STEVESON (USA) had left the world in awe by winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. He claimed that he was the king of the weight category after beating Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) en route to the gold.

Zare did the same in Oslo a bout between him and Steveson would settle the debate. But unfortunately, that is unlikely in the near future as Steveson chose professional wrestling.

For now, it’s Zare’s world.

He returns to competition after winning the title in Oslo at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup in Almaty with an eye to win his second world title. Zare is aware of what it takes to make the Iran team and being pitched as the favorite to win the gold. But a confident start in Almaty can pave way for a fruitful year.

"Almaty is not everything," Zare said. "We have to return to Iran and be selected to the national team. I have to train harder."

Amir ZARE (IRI)Amir ZARE (IRI) dominated his opponents in Oslo en route to gold. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Long before he won the world title and the Olympic bronze in the same year, the U20 world champ made splashes in the wrestling world when he pinned Petriashvili in the Iran league in 2019. Fans wondered if Iran has found a world-beating heavyweight to replace Komeil GHASEMI (IRI).

Zare was young and had already won the U20 world title. But like most wrestlers, he had odd results that stopped fans from taking his name in the same breath as Hassan YAZDANI (IRI). At the Youth Olympics, he got pinned by Sergey KOZRIEV (RWF) in the final which gave rise to doubts about his potential.

But as the Tokyo Games approached, Zare became the dark horse and returned home with a bronze medal after losing to Petriashvili in the quarters. He avenged that along with beating Akgul at the Worlds.

Now as a world champion, he will be part of Iran's golden trio in Almaty. Initially doubtful for the tour due to injury, he is expected to win the 125kg weight class.

The weight has a three Kazakh wrestlers in Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ) and Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ). He will also have Oslo bronze medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) apart from Batmagnai ENKHTUVSHIN (MGL), Mohit GREWAL (IND), Salim ERCAN (TUR) and Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB).

After skipping the Asian Championships, this is an opportunity for the third-ranked Zare to close in on the top two wrestlers — Akgul and Petriashvili and claim the top seed for the September World Championships.

"It's important to win and return," he said. "I will train under the best coaches and hopefully that will help me win the gold medal again at the World Championships."

Hassan YAZDANI (IRI)Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) returns to competition for the first time since winning the World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Yazdani and Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) are the other two world champions who will be in action in Almaty.

At 86kg, Yazdani will be looking to overtake Taylor as the top wrestler in the weight class. The American Olympic champ has 88000 points while the Iranian is 1600 points behind.

He may have a rematch from the 2017 World Championships against Boris MAKOEV (SVK) in Almaty. But there are other challenges as well in Fatih ERDIN (TUR), Olympic bronze at 74kg Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB), and local favorite and Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) among others.

Ghasempour has Deepak PUNIA (IND) and Viky CHAHAR (IND) at 92kg along with Islyambek ILYASSOV (KAZ), Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ), Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ) and Orgilokh DAGVADORJ (MGL).

Bajrang PUNIA (IND)Bajrang PUNIA (IND) will compete at his first Ranking Series event. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Strong FS field

Bajrang PUNIA (IND) would look to move on from the loss of his Asian Championships as he won a silver at 65kg. He faces a familiar for in Tulga TUMUR-OCHIR (MGL) as the two are expected to fight for the gold in Almaty.

But Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) will look to replicate his 61kg performances at 65kg as he continues to get familiar with the Olympic weight. Another young star is Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB). The former U17 world champ won a bronze in Istanbul and now has a chance to upgrade it.

Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) is the reigning European champion. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Expect some fireworks at 74kg as World silver and European champion Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) is making a trip to Almaty. He had come back from 5-0 to win 6-5 against Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) in the European final in March.

Uzbekistan veteran Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) will try to stop him but given his recent struggles, Salkazanov should find it easy.

Kazakhstan will be pinning its hopes on Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), Nurlan BEKZHANOV (KAZ) and Kanat MUSSABEKOV (KAZ). Mongolia has also entered three wrestlers in Byambadorj BAT-ERDENE (MGL), Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) and Sumiyabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL).

In an interesting move, U20 world champion at 92kg Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) is moving up to 97kg in a bid to challenge Asian champion Mohammadhossein MOHAMADIAN (IRI). He won the Asian championships as well at 92kg last month.

But to be successful he needs to go through Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) and veteran star Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB). Ulziisaikhan won silver in Ulaanbaatar while Ibragimov, 40, is making a comeback after missing out on a medal in Tokyo.

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) may finally claim the top rank at 70kg after missing out in Istanbul and Ulaanbaatar. He failed to win the gold at both events keeping him below Zurabi IAKOBASHVILI (GEO)

Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI)Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) will be competing at 72kg in Almaty. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

GR stars ascend in Almaty

Iran also has a strong Greco-Roman team in Almaty as Olympic and world champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) will compete at the 72kg weight. He had won both titles at 67kg. Despite the change, it looks unlikely that he will return home without the gold.

He is replaced by another world champ at 67kg in Meysam DALKHANI (IRI). The 63kg gold medalist will try to replicate Geraei’s results at 67kg with an eye on the World Championships. It will interesting to see young Asian champion Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ).

Another Iran match-up is at 60kg as both Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI) and Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI) are entered in the weight. In what is virtually the World Championships team trial, both are wrestling to be on the flight to Belgrade.

Trying to stop them will be Kazakhstan twins Yernar FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ) and Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) and Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB).

At 63kg, a huge match-up is brewing between world silver and Asian champion Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR).

After struggling with injuries throughout last year, Kamal return with a golden performance in Budapest. If he can win in Almaty, it may well be the beginning of Kamal finally rising to his potential at the senior level.

Almaty will witness the wrath of Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) once again as he wrestles at 82kg. It was in Almaty last year that a high-flying Makhmudov qualified for the Olympics. He also enjoys a huge fan base in the neighboring nation.

But he will have to cope up with the challenges of 82kg and also face regulars in Pejman POSHTAM (IRI) and world silver medalist Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR).

A star-studded line-up at 130kg made this weight class UWW weight-to-watch at this tournament.

Women’s wrestling Almaty will feature strong teams from Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and India. For our complete women’s wrestling preview, click here.

#WrestleBudapest

World C'ships hopefuls battle it out in Budapest Ranking Series

Monday, July 14, 2025 - 14:51 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 13) -- The Budapest Ranking Series, held at this time of year, serves as the primary team selection event for most countries heading into the World Championships. Rather than conducting domestic trials, nations use this international competition to identify their top wrestlers for each weight class.

Georgia, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan will be among the top countries looking to finalize their Greco-Roman teams during the July 17-20 tournament in Hungary capital.

Azerbaijan, one of the strongest Greco-Roman nations, is bringing all three of its 2024 world champions. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), the 55kg world champion, and Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), the 63kg world champion, are both entered at 60kg. Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE), the 72kg world champion, will compete at 77kg alongside Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE).

Mammadli is on a hot streak, having claimed European and world titles in 2024 before adding the 2025 European gold at 60kg. Meanwhile, Azizli, a European silver medalist at 55kg, enters the 60kg bracket for two key reasons: to challenge Mammadli and avoid a significant weight cut.

Ganizade and Suleymanov did not win medals at the European Championships but will battle it out at 77kg in Budapest to make the team.

Paris Olympic bronze medalist and European champion Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) is at 72kg, up from his preferred 67kg as he prepares for the World Championships without forcing himself to reduce weight.

Similarly, hosts Hungary will have tough battles among local wrestlers. European 72kg champion Levente LEVAI (HUN) is moving up to 77kg and his brother Zoltan, a regular at 77kg, is now at 82kg. But so is world silver medalist Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) and it will be toss-up between the two to make the World Championships team.

The 87kg continues to be a heavily contested weight class as Tamas LEVAI (HUN), Istvan TAKACS (HUN) and European champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) are entered and the winner is likely to take the spot for the Zagreb Worlds.

At 130kg, Darius VITEK (HUN) and Koppany LASZLO (HUN) will fight it out for the spot.

The competition, however, won't be limited to these team selection battles. Many other top wrestlers are also entered, aiming for final preparations before the World Championships in Zagreb from September 13-21.

Here's the breakdown of each weight class:

55kg: European champion Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) will be the favorite in the bracket which also has 2024 European champ Artiom DELEANU (MDA), United States phenom Jayden RANEY (USA), Mongolia Ranking Series winner Anil MOR (IND) and world bronze medalist Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB).

The Budapest tournament will be a big test for teenagers Mor and Raney as they compete at the senior level.

60kg: Apart from Azizli and Mammadli, Pridon ABULADZE (GEO), world U20 medalist SUMIT (IND), Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), former world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA), European silver medalist Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), Sadyk LALAEV (UWW), Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (UWW) and world U23 champion Alisher GANIEV (UZB) rack up a stacked bracket.

Mammadli will still be the favorite, coming in as the European champion. He will also be keen on avenging his Zagreb Open loss to Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB). Azizli, who has tried to make 60kg before in his career, will have a big task as he has struggled to match up against bigger-sized wrestlers at this weight class.

Tibilov made the finals in Bratislava but lost to Mammadli. He will be keen on getting a rematch in Budapest. Lalaev, who lost to Tibilov, has a chance to avenge that loss to the Serbian. He also has to battle it out with Allakhiarov as both are fighting for a spot at the World Championships as UWW wrestlers in Zagreb.

Ganiev, who has impressed with world U23 gold and Asian Championships silver, can be a problem for others in the bracket.

63kg: Red-hot Kerem KAMAL (TUR) will try to maintain his winning streak of 2025 as he enters the fourth tournament of the year. He won gold in Tirana, Bratislava and Ulaanbaatar in dominant fashion. He will be in Budapest at 63kg as the favorite.

European silver medalist Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) has a chance to avenge his loss in the final to Kamal but a strong bracket means he has bigger hurdles as well.

World U23 champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA), Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT), Dinislam BAMMATOV (UWW) and Sergey EMELIN (UWW) are entered to gain ranking points in Budapest.

67kg: With Jafarov moving up to 72kg for this tournament, former world champions Leri ABULADZE (GEO) and Sebastian NAD (SRB) along with a few others can win the gold.

Abuladze needs to win gold to make the World Championships over European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) who will also look to beat his compatriot and earn his ticket to Zagreb.

Kazakhstan's world U23 champion Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ) has not shown the same form since winning the world gold in 2023. He has a chance to be in Zagreb with good performance in Budapest. He also has Din  KOSHKAR (KAZ) fighting for the same spot.

Add Ruslan BICHURIN (UWW) to the bracket as he can easily take the gold medal to surprise the field at 67kg.

Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO)Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) is a world U23 champion at 72kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

72kg: Three Georgians are entered at 72kg -- Iuri LOMADZE (GEO), Otar ABULADZE (GEO), Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO). The winner will get the spot on the Georgian team for the World Championships but the challenge is to win the tournament.

Lomadze failed to win a medal at the European Championships which created an opportunity for world bronze medalist Abuladze and world U23 champion Chkhikvadze to enter the race for a spot on the team.

Former world champion Ali ARSALAN (SRB), who missed out on a medal at the Europeans, would be keen on getting back to winning ways before the World Championships where he won bronze last year.

Jafarov won't be too worried about his result here as he neither gains ranking points nor is his Azerbaijan team spot in danger.

77kg: Both Ganizade and Suleymanov have a chance to make the world team for Azerbaijan. Even if Ganizade misses the podium, he will most likely be back to 72kg. Still, it spices up the 77kg in Budapest.

Levai, who won 72kg European gold, will be challenging the 77kg field in Budapest as he prepares for the World Championships. His win in Bratislava has forced his brother Zoltan to move to 82kg. Levai has rock-solid defense and can score points from different positions.

But big-throwing wrestlers like Alexandrin GUTU (MDA), Sergei STEPANOV (UWW) and Sergei KUTUZOV (UWW) are entered in the competition.

Gutu missed the European Championships and his place was taken by Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA). Now, both are fighting for the 77kg spot for Moldova. Asian champion Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) will be hoping to build on his gold, his first-ever in any championships. 

Other significant names include Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO), Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR), Yunus BASAR (TUR) and Kamal BEY (USA).

82kg: European champion Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) will be challenged more than the Euros in Budapest. While he has mastered the European field, the Asian wrestlers can pose some unique challenges.

Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) and Samandar BOBONAZAROV (UZB) are the big names entered from Asia. Also add the two Kazakhstan wrestlers, Dias KALEN (KAZ) and Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ). World U23 silver medalist Beka MELELASHVILI (USA) will also be a tough competitor from the U.S.

Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO), Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) and Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) are some of the European stars.

87kg: Always regarded as the toughest weight class in Greco-Roman, the 87kg doesn't have a clear favorite. Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) will only be at his third competition this year after he won the Zagreb Open early in the year and then the invitational Thor Masters last month. It remains to be seen how rusty he looks coming back from the break.

Hungarian trio -- Levai, Takacs and Losonczi -- are fighting it out for the spot on the team and Losonczi will be the favorite to win, like last year.

The biggest challenge will come from Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW), Alan OSTAEV (UWW) and Aues GONIBOV (UWW). Only one of the three can be at the World Championships and that will add motivation for them to win the tournament.

Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) and Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) are also entered as they look to earn some ranking points for World Championships.

Islam ABBASOV (AZE), Ivan HUKLEK (CRO), Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ) and Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) are also in the bracket, making it even more unpredictable.

97kg: A mini-battle for Azerbaijan will be between Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) and Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE), while Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) and Magomed MURTAZALIEV (UWW) will vie for UWW spots. Sargasian suffered a surprising loss at the European Championships but will hope to make the world team.

Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) and Alex SZOKE (HUN) are other big names in the competition.

130kg: European silver medalist Hamza BAKIR (TUR) will be the favorite to win the gold medal at 130kg despite the presence of Beka KANDELAKI (AZE),  Heiki NABI (EST), Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) among others.

Hungary has Darius VITEK (HUN) and Koppany LASZLO (HUN) competing for the 130kg spot for Hungary. 

Mihail KAJAIA (SRB) is a surprise entry at 130kg from Serbia as he seems to struggle to make the 97kg weight class

The United States has three entries -- Cohlton SCHULTZ (USA), Aden ATTAO (USA) and Courtney FREEMAN (USA).