#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.

#WrestleBratislava

European history for Serbia; Matcharashvili makes 3rd straight final

Monday, April 7, 2025 - 17:44 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 7) -- Paris silver medalist and defending 97kg champion Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) posted his photo on Instagram last week and captioned it: "I declare the hunting season open."

Two weeks later, Matcharashvili is doing exactly that. He marked the start of the season at 97kg by making it to his third European Championships final in Bratislava.

The first day of the European Championships, which got underway at the X-Bionic Sphere on Monday, turned out to be historic for Serbia as it got its first-ever Freestyle finalist at the European Championships and France ended its drought of missing out on the finals.

Matcharashvili, who participated in the Zagreb Open at 125kg, returned to his preferred 97kg and spent only 4 minutes and 45 seconds in his two bouts in Bratislava to make the final.

In the semifinal, Richard VEGH (HUN) failed to challenge Matcharashvili who scored a takedown and four gut-wrenches to post 10-0 technical superiority in just a minute and 24 seconds.

Matcharashvili has never lost at the European Championships, winning two back-to-back golds in 2023 and 2024. He is a step closer to a third straight gold medal and will take on Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) for it.

Kurbanov, a former European champion at 92kg, had to tougher path to the final. He scored a 5-2 win over Radu LEFTER (MDA) in the other semifinal. He was ahead 3-0 but got surprised by a Lefter front headlock exposure for two. However, Kurbanov recovered and scored a match-winning takedown to win and book a spot in the final.

Kurbanov was a late replacement for Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) at 97kg after Sadulaev failed to travel to Bratislava with the team

Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB)Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) became the first Serbian Freestyle wrestler to enter final of European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

History for Serbia

Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) created history for Serbia when he reached the 57kg final, becoming the first Freestyle wrestler from the country to make it to the final.

The 2020 European champion for Russia, Tuskaev switched to Serbia in 2024 and returned to the final after five years. He will face Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) for the gold medal bout at 57kg.

In the semifinal, Tuskaev defeated Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW), 3-1, after the two were put on 30-second activity clocks. Tuskaev scored a stepout in addition to the activity clock point to take the lead in the final minute of the bout. Tiutrin tried to get the one point for a criteria win but failed to break Tuskaev's defense.

Mongush blanked Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) 5-0 in the other semifinal which he controlled for full six minutes. He got on the scoreboard when Bazarganov as cautioned for one point for hitting him with open hands.

Bazarganov was on activity clock when he was cautioned and as the clock expired, Mongush led 2-0. Mongush added two stepouts to make it 4-0 at the break before another activity lock point in the second period was enough for a 5-0 win for Mongush.

Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA)Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) tries to defend an attack from Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE) in the 65kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

France also had something to rejoice as two wrestlers reached the finals, ending a four-year drought of a finalist in Freestyle. Young star Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) and veteran Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) booked finals spot for France at 70kg and 79kg respectively, putting the nation in the finals for the first time since 2021.

However, their path to gold will be tricky.

Arsamerzouev will have the repeat of the European U23 Championships from 2024 and face two-time world U23 champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) for the 65kg gold medal. Ibragimov won that bout 6-2 for the gold medal.

The French wrestler barely made it to the final as Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE) had him in a tangle in the final 10 seconds and scored an exposure. However, Arsamerzouev also got two points for exposure to win 4-3.

Rahimzada had fallen behind 2-1 earlier when challenged for a stepout but lost the challenge, denying him any other opportunity to challenge in the match.

Ibragimov rolled into the 65kg final on his senior European Championships debut with a stunning 11-0 win over Goga OTINASHVILI (GEO) in the semifinal. He led 1-0 at the break for Otinashvili's passivity but second period saw Ibragimov break into action as he defended a leg attack and countered with a takedown. He scored two turns using gut-wrench and leg lace to lead 7-0. A go-behind takedown put him 9-0 ahead before an easy turn got him into the final 11-0.

While this was a dominant win, Ibragimov pulled off an incredible comeback against former European champion Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) in the quarterfinal, beating him 3-2. Tevanyan led 2-1 with 90 seconds remaining on the clock but Ibragimov hit a collar-tie snap to score a takedown and take a 3-2 lead which he defended till the end.

Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA)Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) defeated Ion MARCU (MDA) 7-0 in the 79kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

For Khadjiev, a two-time silver medalist, world 79kg champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) stands between him and the gold medal which Khadjiev lost in 2018 and 2019 after losing in two straight finals.

The 30-year-old broke Ion MARCU (MDA) down with his attacking style and claimed a 7-0 victory in the semifinal. Khadjiev had two stepouts, an activity clock point and two takedowns in his win.

"It was really tough," Khadjiev said. "Three years ago I went to Oklahoma State [University] to train and even young wrestlers were beating easily. But I didn’t give up. I wanted to win something."

While there have been many instances of Khadjiev losing in the final seconds earlier in his career, the 2025 season has begun on a positive note for the French.

He won the Zagreb Open in January and is now a win away from his first gold medal at the European Championships. Khadjiev put the success on wrestling more 'professionally.'

"I can say that now my wrestling in more mature," he said. "I don’t risk it or do something aimlessly. I even watch the matches of my opponents, try to analyze them. I never did that before. I would say I wrestle more professionally now."

Akhmed USMANOV (UWW)Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) defends an attack from Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP) in the 79kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

If he watched Usmanov's wrestling videos from Monday, Khadjiev may think he has a chance. Usmanov was a shadow of himself from the 2023 World Championships. Though he reached the final, Usmanov never got going, winning the final 7-0 against Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP) with his counter wrestling.

In the quarterfinal, Usmanov barely managed to sneak through against former European champion Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR). Usmanov was trailing 1-1 on criteria after the two wrestlers failed to score in the activity periods. In the final minute of the bout, Mykhailov was put on the activity clock for the second time. He failed to score, giving Usmanov a 2-1 lead which he defended for the final 28 seconds and secured the win.

European Championships debutant David BAEV (UWW), wrestling internationally for the first time since winning the world gold in 2019, booked spot in the 70kg final with a cautious 3-0 win over Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) in the semifinal.

In his opening bout, he defeated world 65kg champion Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) rather easily with a score of 10-0.

Baev will take on defending champion Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) for the gold medal after the Armenian managed to hang on for a 3-1 win over Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO).

Andreasyan scored takedown and got a point for Kemertelidze's passivity which took him to his third European final.

Photo

RESULTS

Freestyle Semifinals

57kg
GOLD: Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) vs. Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW)

SF 1: Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) df. Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE), 5-0
SF 2: Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) df. Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW), 3-1

65kg
GOLD: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) vs. Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA)

SF 1: Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) df. Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE), 4-3
SF 2: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) df. Goga OTINASHVILI (GEO), 11-0

70kg
GOLD: Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) vs. David BAEV (UWW)

SF 1: David BAEV (UWW) df. Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE), 3-0
SF 2: Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) df. Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO), 3-1

79kg
GOLD: Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) vs. Akhmed USMANOV (UWW)

SF 1: Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) df. Ion MARCU (MDA), 7-0
SF 2: Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) df. Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP), 7-0

97kg
GOLD: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) vs. Magomed KURBANOV (UWW)

SF 1: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) df. Richard VEGH (HUN), 10-0
SF 2: Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) df. Radu LEFTER (MDA), 5-2