Bekhan Goigereev of Russia works a takedown against Iran's Masoud Esmaeilpoorjouybari during semifinal action Tuesday afternoon in Budapest. Goigereev would go on to win the match and the gold medal. Photo: T.R. Foley

Russia Crowns Two Champions on Second Day

Bekhan Goigereev (60kg) and Khadzhimurat Gatsalov (120) improved Russia’s chances of earning the team gold on Tuesday when the duo came away with a pair of gold medals.

Goigereev used devastating attacks and aggressive moves from par-terre to earn a late fall against Valdimir Dubov of Bulgaria. The Russian had sat behind a line of great wrestlers in Russia, but when he got the chance to compete made the best of his time on the world stage.

“I was fourth, maybe third best Russian wrestler in this weight class in the past, but today I have proved I am the best now,” said Goigereev.

Khadzhimurat Gatsalov made his heavyweight debut on Tuesday, earning Russia’s second gold for the day, and sixth world-level championship.

The now five-time world champion and 2004 Olympic Champion at 96kg, Gatsalov was asked to move up to heavyweight after his 4-0 loss in the semifinals of Russian Nationals to Anzor Boltukaev (Boltukaev placed 3rd at this year’s World Championships).

Cuban Salas Lopez Impresses, Altadov Wins Second Title

Though it wasn’t the gold he was hoping for, Cuban 84kg Reineris Salas Lopez won the silver medal in his best world performance to date. The 26-year-old was a main attraction all day with  It was Cuba’s second silver on the week.

Salas Lopez finals opponent, Ibragim Aldatov, won his fifth world medal after earning the 8-1 victory. Altadov was a 2006 World champion at 74kg and silver medalist in 2007. He moved up to 84kg in 2009 to earn world bronze and then silver again in 2011.

Hungarian Vereb Medals, Breaks Finger

Istvan Vereb sent the home crowd crazy after beating 2008 bronze medalist Murad Gaidarov of Belarus, 2-1 for the bronze medal at 84kg. Vereb, who wrestled at the 2008 Olympic Games at 74kg, had won two of his matches by disqualification.

The local hero was buzzing as he chatted with reporters after the match and revealed that he had broken his finger during his bronze medal match.

“I knew (my opponent) does not like to fight when he is behind, he was very nervous” said Vereb. “He broke my finger, but it doesn’t really matter, only the bronze medal matters!”

Lalovic Meets with Hungarian President Janos Ader

FILA President Nenad Lalovic met with Hungarian President Janos Ader to discuss the recent decision by the IOC to reinstate Olympic wrestling.  The president stressed that he was pleased with the decision and felt it was difficult to imagine the Olympic Games without wrestling.

Spain’s Best Finish Since 1983

Though Talmuraz Friev Naskidaeva of Spain went the distance with Ehsan Naser Lashgari of Iran in the bronze medal match on Tuesday, the former Russian wrestler couldn’t pull out the medal, losing 6-4. Despite the setback Friev Naskidaeva was able to secure Spain’s best finish (5th) since 1983 and make an impact on the promise of the nation’s wrestling future.

Lashgari, a favorite of the Iranian crowd, later admitted that he was suffering from a knee injury that forced the Olympic bronze medalist to make significant changes to his wrestling style.

“Generally I am an offensive wrestler, but today I had to change my style,” said Lashgari. “I had to fight harder for this bronze than I did last year in the Olympics.

Junior World Champion Medals at Heavyweight

Geno Petriashvili of Georgia beat Zhiwei Deng of China, 8-1 to earn a bronze at 120kg. In August, Petriashvili won the Junior World Championship in Sofia, Bulgaria.

North Korean Fans Continue to Show Devotion

Other than the Iranians, the most vocal fans at the 2013 World Championships remain those from North Korea. Dressed in matching red shirts and white hats the crowd of 50 to 100 fans wave small flags in unison while chanting encouragements to their wrestlers. Though none of their wrestlers have placed, the group will stay through the women’s and Greco-Roman competitions.

Tough Tournament for Azerbaijan, USA

Though considered one of the best freestyle programs in the world for several years, Azerbaijan was only able to secure one medal after two days of competition in Budapest. In 2011 the Azerbaijanis earned four world medals, including a gold at 84kg. The team had three medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics, including two champions.

The United States was once again kept off the medal stand on day two of competition. Though they had two Olympic champions and a bronze medalist in 2012, only Tervel Dlagnev (120kg) and Angel Escobedo (55kg) were able to progress to the bronze medal match.

Iran and America Dual in Two Quarterfinals

At 120kg 2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev avenged his 2012 loss to Olympic bronze medalist Komeil Ghasemi winning by technical fall, 7-0. Ghasemi had beaten Dlagnev on three previous occasions.

At 60kg Reece Humphrey (USA) jumped out to a 5-0 lead on Iran’s Masoud Esmaeilpoorjouybari, but the young Iranian battled back to win a close 9-8 decision.

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T.R. Foley

FILA News Bureau