#WrestleBelgrade

Zhamalov Rallies Late to Stun Chamizo, Russia Crowns 4 FS Champs

By Andrew Hipps

Links:
Finals Highlights
Day 6 Photos

BELGRADE, Serbia (December 17) -- Razambek ZHAMALOV (RUS) came from behind late to stun two-time world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) and earn the 74kg freestyle gold medal Thursday night at the Individual World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia.

Zhamalov, a 2019 U23 world champion, was one of four freestyle gold medalists for Russia on Thursday. 

In the 74kg final, Zhamalov scored the first point of the match off the activity clock and took a 1-0 lead into the break. Chamizo grabbed a 2-1 lead a minute into second period after securing a hard-fought takedown. Zhamlov kept the pressure on Chamizo, attempting a duck under with 25 seconds left. After Chamizo fended it off, Zhamalov came up with a body lock before eventually securing Chamizo's leg. With just under 10 seconds remaining, Zhamlov slipped behind Chamizo and scored a two-point action with two seconds remaining to earn the come-from-behind victory, 4-2.

Zavur UGUEV (RUS) won the gold at 57kg (Photo: Kadir CALISKAN, UWW)

Russia's other gold medals Thursday came from Zavur UGUEV (57kg), Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (92kg) and Shamil SHARIPOV (125kg).

Uguev, a two-time world champion, was dominant in the 57kg final, earning a 10-0 technical superiority over 2018 junior world bronze medalist Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM). The 25-year-old Russian quickly went up 4-0 after a takedown off an ankle pick and gut wrench. A short time later, Uguev shot in and scored a takedown before locking up his gut wrench again and turning Harutyunyan twice to end the match in under a minute.

Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RUS) shut out Georgii RUBAEV (MDA) to win gold at 92kg (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

Zhabrailov, a 2019 world bronze medalist, claimed his gold by shutting out Georgii RUBAEV (MDA) 6-0 in the 92kg final. The Russian controlled the match from start to finish, getting a takedown in the opening period. He added a second takedown late in the match before getting a turn off a leg lace in the final five seconds. 

Shamil SHARIPOV (RUS) overcome with emotion after winning the gold medal at 125kg (Photo: Kadir CALISKAN, UWW)

Sharipov captured the gold at 125kg with a 4-1 win over European silver medalist Robert BARAN (POL). After leading 1-0 at the break, the Russian heavyweight scored in the second period with a step out before firing off a double leg and driving Baran to the edge of the mat for a takedown. Baran would get a late step out, but it would be too little, too late. 

Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) gets in on a shot against Haydar YAVUZ (TUR) in the 70kg final (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

Baran was one of two Polish wrestlers competing for gold Thursday night. The other, Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL), came through to win the title at 70kg by injury default over 2020 European bronze medalist Haydar YAVUZ (TUR). Gadzhiev, a two-time world medalist and two-time European champion, held a 5-0 lead on the strength of two takedowns in the second period prior to Yavuz defaulting.

Turkey finished the day with three medals. In addition to Yavuz's silver medal, Fazli ERYILMAZ (74kg) and Erhan YAYLACI (92kg) won bronze medals.

Kyrgyzstan won a pair of medals, with Islambek OROZBEKOV (70kg) and Aiaal LAZAREV (125kg) securing bronze. 

Andrii YATSENKO (UKR) and Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) won the bronze medals at 57kg. Yatsenko scored a late takedown to defeat Stevan MICIC (SRB), while Amouzadkhalili shut out Uladzislau ANDREYEU (BLR).

Other bronze medalists included Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) at 70kg, Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) at 74kg, Samuel SCHERRER (SUI) at 92kg and Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR) at 125kg.

Freestyle Medal Match Results

57kg
GOLD: Zavur UGUEV (RUS) df. Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) by VSU, 10-0
BRONZE: Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) df. Uladzislau ANDREYEU (BLR) by VPO, 4-0
BRONZE: Andrii YATSENKO (UKR) df. Stevan MICIC (SRB) by VPO1, 4-2

70kg
GOLD: Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) df. Haydar YAVUZ (TUR) by VIN, 5-0
BRONZE: Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) df. Chermen VALIEV (RUS) by VIN, 0-0
BRONZE: Islambek OROZBEKOV (KGZ) df. Gitinomagomed GADZHIYEV (AZE) by VPO1, 6-5

74kg
GOLD: Razambek ZHAMALOV (RUS) df. Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA) by VPO1, 4-2
BRONZE: Fazli ERYILMAZ (TUR) df. Azamat NURYKAU (BLR) by VPO1, 7-2
BRONZE: Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN) by VPO1, 2-2

92kg
GOLD: Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RUS) df. Georgii RUBAEV (MDA) by VPO, 6-0
BRONZE: Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) df. Gadzhimurad MAGOMEDSAIDOV (AZE) by VPO1, 4-2
BRONZE: Samuel SCHERRER (SUI) df. Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR) by VPO1, 8-4

125kg
GOLD: Shamil SHARIPOV (RUS) df. Robert BARAN (POL) by VPO1, 4-1
BRONZE: Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) df. Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) 
by VSU, 11-0
BRONZE: Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR) df. Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR) 
by VPO1, 6-5
 

#WrestleBratislava

Gatsalov: Satisfied with Euros, will prepare for tougher World Championships

By United World Wrestling Press

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 22) -- Khadzhimurat GATSALOV was in Bratislava, Slovakia for the European Championships as the coach if the UWW wrestlers and returned with five gold, two silver and one bronze medals in 10 weight classes.

United World Wrestling caught up with Gatsalov after the tournament and he reflected on the performance of the wrestlers and his plans for the World Championships which will be held in September in Zagreb, Croatia.

Excerpts:

- On the performance of his wrestlers

Gatsalov: Overall, we are satisfied with the results. We haven’t had a performance like this in a long time -- five gold medals out of ten, plus two silver and one bronze. That means eight out of ten athletes came home with medals. Both the coaching staff and the athletes did a great job and prepared well for this European Championships.

We were counting on four or five gold medals. The guys wrestled really well and followed the instructions. For us coaches, that’s the most important thing that the wrestler steps on the mat and follows the game plan.

- On competition with Iran and the United States

Gatsalov: I believe there’s still room for improvement. This will help strengthen both our technical and physical foundations. When I look at Iranian and American wrestling, they put a lot of emphasis on physical conditioning. We’ve never really focused on that. We’ve always prioritized technique. But moving forward, we’ll also be physically prepared to endure tough matches and handle heavy loads without wearing out.

- On Sidakov's return and performance at 74kg

Gatsalov: Sidakov just couldn’t make it happen this time, maybe it’s because they know each other so well. [Chermen] VALIEV had a very strong motivation to win. You could feel it, it was clear on the mat. But as a coach, I believe this loss will serve as a driving force for Sidakov's future wins. It’s a significant psychological moment. Honestly, it’s better to experience this now than at the World Championships or the Olympics. I think once he recovers from his injury, we’ll get back to training and keep moving forward.

- On former world champion Baev winning gold

Gatsalov: Since 2019, he hadn’t shown any results on an international level. But today, he was better than anyone. He’s been working towards this moment for a long time, training hard, and he showed solid, confident wrestling. He wrestled like a true master — precise, and without mistakes. We were genuinely very happy for him.

- On the 65kg champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV

Gatsalov: Ibragimov demonstrated a strong performance, despite losing at the Ranking Series in Albania less than a month ago. Today, he came in well-prepared. He was in good form physically, technically, and mentally. That previous loss likely became a stepping stone toward this victory.

Khadzhimurat GATSAKOVKhadzhimurat GATSALOV at the European Championships in Bratislava. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

- On preparations for World Championships

Gatsalov: We have a clear understanding of how we’re going to prepare. I can’t reveal all the secrets of our training plan, but we know exactly who we’re preparing for. That’s why we’ll be focusing on targeted, individual work against specific opponents. Our coaching staff is strong. We have real professionals on board, including experienced coaches from the old Soviet school and younger ones who are stepping up and bringing fresh energy.

I think our wrestlers are also friendly with each other, which is very important. The atmosphere in the team is productive. We are waiting for the World Championships. We want competition on the mat with big countries like Iran, America. The Japanese have also improved a lot. Therefore, we want to compete with the strong ones, and we want to settle things on the mat.

(The interview was conducted by Karina MIRZOIAN)