#WrestleBudapest

Armenia Earns Olympic Berths Through Rising Stars Tevanyan and Harutyunyan

Thursday, March 18, 2021 - 19:47 By Eric Olanowski

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 18) --- It was an emotional day for Armenian wrestlers as rising stars Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) and Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) shined bright and secured their nation’s ticket to the Tokyo Olympic Games.

In total, 12 freestyle Olympic licenses were handed out through today’s European Olympic Games Qualifier at the BOK Sports Hall in the Hungarian capital city, with the top two wrestlers at each weight earning berths for their nations.

Coming into the weekend, arguably the biggest question hovering over the freestyle portion of the event was if Tevanyan could replicate his magical performance from December’s Individual World Cup where he stunned then-reigning world bronze medalist Ismail MSUSKAEV (HUN), 9-1, to win 65kg gold.

On Friday, the powerful Tevanyan reached the finals with four wins – three of which came against former world medalists. He started his day with an 11-0 technical superiority victory over world bronze medalist and Rio Olympian Vladimir DUBOV (BUL). Following a 7-5 win against Niurgun SKRIABIN (BLR), the Armenian ended Olympic champion Vladimer KHINCHEGASHVILI’s (GEO) day with a controlled 6-4 victory. Although the 22-year-old only won by two points, he shut down the world and Olympic champion for well over five minutes of the bout.

Then, Tevanyan reached the finals with his third consecutive two-point victory. He downed two-time world medalist and fellow Individual World Cup champion, Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL), 6-4, to punch Armenia’s ticket to the Games.

Tevanyan will take on three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) in Friday night’s 65kg finals.

For a second straight Olympic cycle, Aliyev was responsible for qualifying Azerbaijan for the Olympic Games. In ’15, he claimed world gold and locked up Azerbaijan’s spot for the Rio Olympic Games.

The 29-year-old breezed to a 5-1 semifinal win over Maxim SACULTAN (MDA). He surrendered a step out point in the first, but from there, it was a one-sided bout. The Rio Olympic bronze medalist scored a pair of takedowns and a step out point to reach the finals, 5-1.

For a second straight Olympic cycle, Aliyev was responsible for qualifying Azerbaijan for the Olympic Games. In ’15, he claimed world gold and locked up Azerbaijan’s spot for the Rio Olympic Games.

The 29-year-old breezed to a 5-1 semifinal win over Maxim SACULTAN (MDA). He surrendered a step out point in the first, but from there, it was a one-sided bout. The Rio Olympic bronze medalist scored a pair of takedowns and a step out point to reach the finals, 5-1.

Arsen Haruyyunyan was the second Armenian youngster who sealed up an Olympic license on Thursday.

The wiry Harutyunyan thumped Andrii YATSENKO (UKR), 10-0, and reached the 57kg finals.

The 21-year-old led 1-0 after the first but used a nine-point second period to pick up the technical superiority victory. Harutyunyan, the ’19 European champion at 61kg, turned defense into offense twice in the second period – scoring a pair of counter-offensive takedowns, before thunderously slamming Yatsenko to his back for four addition points. He tacked on a step out point and claimed his spot in the finals with a 10-0 victory.

Haruyyunyan will meet Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) for 57kg gold on Friday night. Vangelov earned Bulgaria’s Olympic spot at 57kg with a near-flawless 9-1 semifinal performance against Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE).

The 27-year-old Bulgarian had a slender 1-0 advantage (inactivity) after the opening period but opened the widened the gap in the second period with two high crotch takedowns and pair of leg laces.

At 74kg, Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE) joined Aliyev in securing Azerbaijan’s nod at the Olympic Games. The Azeri controlled the 74kg semifinals match against Maxim VASILIOGLO (ROU) and reached the finals, 7-0.

He’ll take on ’18 world runner-up Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) on Friday night for 74kg gold. The Georgian surrendered six point in the opening 30 seconds against Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL). He gave up a takedown and two gut wrenches to start the match down 6-0, but surged back to pick up the first period fall via cradle and punch Georgia’s ticket to the Olympic Games.

Ali SHABANAU (BLR) finished a shot on Akhmed MAGAMAEV (BUL) in the 86kg semifinals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Ali SHABANAU (BLR) had a spectacular 86kg semifinals performance against Akhmed MAGAMAEV (BUL) and locked up Belarus’ Olympic berth with a 6-0 victory. The four-time world medalist will meet Osman GOCEN (TUR) for 86kg gold.

Gocen blasted his way to the 86kg gold-medal bout and locked up Turkey’s place at the Tokyo Olympic Games with a 16-6 win over ’18 world silver medalist Boris MAKOEV (SVK). Coming into the semifinals, Gocen’s opponent hadn’t conceded a single point on the day, but that all changed as the Turkish wrestler lit up the scoreboard with 16 points.

In the 97kg semifinals, Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) had no problem with Abraham CONYEDO (ITA), as the Belarusian dominated his way to an Olympic berth with a 9-0 shutout win.

The second Turkish wrestler who secured an Olympic license was European champion Suleyman KARADENIZ (TUR). He edged Erik THIELE (GER), 2-1, and will compete for gold on Friday night.

Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER) shows respect to Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) after their 125kg semifinals match. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER) gassed Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) in the 125kg match and rolled into the finals with what would have been a 15-6, but the Azeri was disqualified after giving up three cautions. The German trailed the former world runner-up 6-3 but used his high pace to wear down on the Azeri and scored 12 unanswered points.

The twelfth and final Olympic qualification placement went to Belarus, thanks to a last-second takedown by Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR).

The match was filled with tension and drama and was fairly even, but Khramiankou trailed 4-2 with less than 10 seconds left in the closing period. The 24-year-old Belarusian spun behind and worked to get Sharipov’s knee to touch, but no points were awarded.

As time expired, the brick came in from Khramiankou’s corner, and after an intense review that left the big man on his hands and knees praying, the Belarusian was awarded the two-point takedown and the 4-4 criteria victory.

Khramiankou’s win stopped Russian from earning their sixth freestyle Olympic berth. The final opportunity they’ll have to qualify 125kg for Tokyo will be the World Olympic Qualifier in Bulgaria (May 6-9).

Wrestling returns on Friday morning at 11:00 (local time) with women’s wrestling. Follow all the action live on www.uww.org.

Semifinal Results
57kg
GOLD - Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs. Georgi VANGELOV (BUL)
SEMIFINAL - Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Andrii YATSENKO (UKR), 10-0
SEMIFINAL - Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) df. Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE), 9-1

65kg
GOLD - Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) vs. Haji ALIYEV (AZE)
SEMIFINAL - Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL), 4-2
SEMIFINAL - Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. Maxim SACULTAN (MDA), 5-1

74kg
GOLD - Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) vs. Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE)
SEMIFINAL - Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) df. Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL), via fall
SEMIFINAL - Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE) df. Maxim VASILIOGLO (ROU), 7-0

86kg
GOLD - Osman GOCEN (TUR) vs. Ali SHABANAU (BLR)
SEMIFINAL - Osman GOCEN (TUR) df. Boris MAKOEV (SVK), 16-6
SEMIFINAL - Ali SHABANAU (BLR) df. Akhmed MAGAMAEV (BUL), 6-0

97kg
GOLD - Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) vs. Suleyman KARADENIZ (TUR)
SEMIFINAL - Suleyman KARADENIZ (TUR) df. Erik THIELE (GER), 2-1
SEMIFINAL - Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) df. Abraham CONYEDO (ITA), 9-0

125kg
GOLD - Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER) vs. Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR)
SEMIFINAL - Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR) df. Shamil SHARIPOV (RUS), 4-4
SEMIFINAL - Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER) df. Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE), 15-6

#WrestleBudapest

Ranking Series: Maroulis, Blades lead strong U.S. team to Budapest

Saturday, July 12, 2025 - 09:46 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 11) -- Although it will a Ranking Series by name, Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial tournament starting on Thursday in Budapest will serve more than just that for many wrestlers.

For some it will be about the ranking points, for other it is a preparatory tour for the World Championships. The United States is bringing its world team, almost while some others will test this event to select their representatives for the World Championships, to be held in September in Zagreb.

Helen MAROULIS (USA), who has not wrestled since winning the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in August 2024, will be leading the team which also has Paris Olympics silver medalist Kennedy BLADES (USA), who continues to shine at 68kg, a weight class she moved from 76kg at the start of the season.

Turkiye, Canada, India, Kazakhstan and a few United World Wrestling wrestlers will light up Budapest from July 17 to 20. Women's Wrestling will be held on 18 and 19. 

A few other individual stars will be making an appearance, namely, Irina RINGACI (MDA), Grace BULLEN (NOR), Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ).

Here's a breakdown of all 10 weight classes for Women' Wrestling in Budapest:

For Maroulis, who booked her World Championships spot on the U.S. team in June, the Budapest Ranking Series will pose a challenge as she returns to the mat. Having dominated the 'Final X' competition in the U.S., Maroulis will now look to show her dominance at the international stage. The U.S. has also entered Amanda MARTINEZ (USA) to the competition at 57kg.

Tokyo silver medalist and former European champion Iryna KURACHKINA (UWW) and 2025 European champion Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) look to be the toughest challenge for Maroulis in the bracket. 

India's world U17 champion and world U20 medalist NEHA (IND) has made a few headlines by winning the Mongolian Open Ranking Series and followed that up with a gold medal at Yasar Dogu. Budapest will be a stern test for the youngster.

European silver medalist Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) is also in the mix to get Ranking points and get a seed for the World Championships.

Blades should run through the 68kg bracket in Budapest. She has the likes of world champion Buse TOSUN (TUR) and European champion Alina SHEVCHENKO (UWW) in the draw but Blades is a level above the field entered for the competition.

Blades won the Zagreb Open Ranking Series in February and also her first Pan-Am title in May. She is currently 12th in the rankings but has a chance to jump as high as sixth with a gold medal.

Tosun won a bronze medal at the European Championships in her first competition since the Paris Games and looked in good form, something she would love to carry to Budapest as well. An appearance in the final and she can well become the top ranked wrestler at 68kg.

Shevchenko made a great impression by winning the European gold in a tough bracket and has a consolidate on that win with a good show in Budapest.

Other names include Kendra DACHER (FRA), Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) and Brooklyn HAYS (USA).

Dymond GUILFORD (USA)Both Dymond GUILFORD (USA) and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) are entered at 76kg which could give us a rematch of Tirana final from February. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 76kg, a rematch of the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series final is on the cards as both Medet Kyzy and Dymond GUILFORD (USA) are entered. Guilford managed to beat Medet Kyzy in the final in Tirana but Medet Kyzy has since won the Asian Championships and Yasar Dogu golds.

Two young stars in the bracket include PRIYA (IND) and Elmira YASIN (TUR), both have multiple age-group continental and world medals. Former Asian champion Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) is also entered.

The 62kg and 65kg weight classes can throw some interesting match-ups, especially with Bullen and Rigaci continuing their season at 65kg. Bullen is a regular 62kg while Ringaci was at 68kg at Olympics and World Championships.

Ringaci and Bullen met in the 65kg final of the European Championships this year and the latter managed to beat Ringaci to capture the gold medal. Both can meet again in Budapest.

World bronze medalist Macey KILTY (USA), who will be in Zagreb for the U.S., will look to win gold and throw her hat in the ring as a contender for world title in Zagreb.

Dudova, Ana GODINEZ (CAN), MANISHA (IND), Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA), Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) and Amina TANDELOVA (UWW) are some of the names that highlight 62kg.

Dudova won bronze at the European Championships while Godinez won the Pan-Am gold in May. Manisha was the Asian champion in April but lost at the Mongolian Open in June and will be keen on returning to winning ways.

Kolawale is the African champion while Nwachukwu won the 'Final X' and will be in Zagreb for the World Championships. Kasabieva has blown hot and cold so far, but had good wins at the Mongolian Open to build some momentum in the season.

Tandelova, the youngster with medals at Zagreb Open and European U23s, finished fifth at the senior Europeans but has the potential to be on the podium in Budapest.

At 53kg, world and Asian bronze medalist ANTIM (IND) will start as the favorite in the bracket, especially after her domination at the Mongolian Open. She won gold in Mongolia without giving up a point in four bouts.

European medalist Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), Felicity TAYLOR (USA) and Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) will look to finish on the podium as well.

In what will be one of the biggest brackets in Budapest, the 50kg will see European silver medalist Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), Mongolia Open winner Natalia PUDOVA (UWW), European bronze medalist Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (UWW), multiple world age-group medalist Audrey JIMENEZ (USA), Madison PARKS (CAN), Emma LUTTENAUER (FRA) among others.

Pudova and Demirhan put on a stunning 50kg final in Ulaanbaatar which the former managed to win 7-6 despite comebacks from Demirhan. A medal in Budapest will put Pudova as one of the contenders for a podium-finish in Zagreb.

Pan-Am champion Karla GODINEZ (CAN), European champion Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) and the U.S. rep for Zagreb Worlds Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA) and Turkiye's young sensation Tuba DEMIR (TUR) will be the key names at 55kg.

At 59kg, world bronze medalist Othelie HOEIE (NOR) will look to win her first Ranking Series medal but has a tough road to medal bouts. She will have Elena BRUGGER (GER), Erika BOGNAR (HUN), Bediha GUN (TUR), Abigail NETTE (USA) and Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW) in the same bracket.

Gun suffered a heartbreaking loss in the European finals but won Yasar Dogu tournament and will likely finish on podium in Budapest. Nette and Sidelnikova are strong contenders for a place in the final.

Three-time world silver medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) should have an easy path to 72kg gold unless Alexandria GLAUDE (USA) or HARSHITA (IND) spring a surprise to deny her.