Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Russia Each Place Three into Tuesday's European Freestyle Finals

Monday, April 8, 2019 - 17:25 By Eric Olanowski

BUCHAREST, Romania (April 8) - Azerbaijan, Russia, and Turkey each placed three wrestlers into Tuesday night’s freestyle European finals, but Azerbaijan and Turkey will meet twice in tomorrow’s gold- medal bouts. They’ll wrestle for the top spots at 65kg and 70kg.

At 65kg, Azerbaijan’s three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV and Turkey’s Selahattin KILICSALLAYAN each scored come-from-behind wins to reach the finals.

Aliyev, the defending European champion, trailed 2-0 in his semifinals match, but scored 12 unanswered points and reached the continental finals for the third time in his career. He’s been successful in reaching the top of the podium in his previous two trips to the European finals.

His Turkish opponent Kilicsallayan trailed Ukraine’s Vasyl SHUPTAR 4-1, but outscored him 8-2 and reached the European finals for the first time after scoring the 9-6 victory. Kilicsallayan’s Monday night win helps him improve on his bronze medal finish from a year ago.

Mustafa KAYA (TUR) reached the European finals for the first time since 2016 when he fell short to Italy's Frank CHAMIZO. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

The 70kg weight class featured world champions Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) and Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO), but it was Turkey’s Mustafa KAYA and Azerbaijan’s Aghahuseyn MUSTAFAYEV (AZE) who’ll wrestle under the lights on Tuesday night for 70kg gold.

Kaya outlasted 2017 world runner-up Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) in a 12 point shootout, inserting himself into the European finals for the first time since 2016 with the 6-6 criteria win. In his last trip to the European finals, Kaya fell to two-time world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA).

Mustafayev, who kicked started his finals run by upsetting reigning world champion Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov in the opening round, capped off his day with a decisive 6-0 shutout over Great Britain’s Nicolae COJOCARU.

Suleyman ATLI (TUR) will wrestle No. 11Muslim SADULAEV (RUS) in the 57kg finals. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Turkey’s third freestyle finalist came at 57kg, where reigning world bronze medalist Suleyman ATLI (TUR) will meet reigning Ivan Yariguin champion Muslim SADULAEV, who is one of Russia’s three Day Two finalists.

Atli, who’s the second-ranked wrestler in the world at 57kg, had a tougher road to the finals than his Russia finals opponent.

The Turkish wrestler trailed 1-0 after the opening period, but quickly scored a pair of takedowns, one of which he transitioned to a gut wrench and grabbed the 6-1 lead. Atli surrendered three straight points, but answered with a third takedown, locking up his spot in the finals with an 8-4 victory.

His finals opponent Muslim Sadulaev, who is currently ranked No. 11 in the world at 57kg, quieted the friendly Romanian crowd with a rock-solid 10-0 shutout win over Andrei DUKOV (ROU), reaching the continental finals for the first time in his young career.

Russia’s second semifinal winner was Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS).

The 2018 world bronze medalist reached the 79kg finals with a heroic 7-0 victory over Ukraine’s Oleksii DOMANYTSKYI (UKR). The Russian seriously injured his right knee 7 seconds into the final period and was forced to drop to one knee for the last three minutes. The Russian brought the local crowd to their feet after he closed out the match with a pair of takedowns and reached the finals with a 7-0 victory over his Ukrainian opponenet.

It’s not clear if Gadzhimagomedov will compete in tomorrow’s gold-medal bout, but if he does, it’ll be against Azerbaijan’s reigning world finalist Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE), who defeated Andrei KARPACH (BLR), 9-4, to reach the European finals for the first time since winning back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011.

The pound-for-pound best wrestler in the world Abdulrashid SADULAEV was the third and final Russian wrestler to reach Tuesday night’s finals. Sadulaev had an easy time with Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD), ending the match early with a 12-0 victory.

He’ll lace up against reigning European runner-up Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR), who scored a pair of second-period stepouts to knock off 2018 world bronze medalist Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO), 2-1.

The European Championships resume tomorrow at 11:30 (local time).

RESULTS
57kg
GOLD - Suleyman ATLI (TUR) vs. Muslim SADULAEV (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Suleyman ATLI (TUR) df. Georgi Valentinov VANGELOV (BUL), 8-4
SEMIFINAL - Muslim SADULAEV (RUS) df. Andrei DUKOV (ROU), 10-0

65kg
GOLD - Haji ALIYEV (AZE) vs. Selahattin KILICSALLAYAN (TUR)
SEMIFINAL - Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. Maxim SACULTAN (MDA), 12-2
SEMIFINAL - Selahattin KILICSALLAYAN (TUR) df. Vasyl SHUPTAR (UKR), 9-6

70kg
GOLD - Mustafa KAYA (TUR) vs. Aghahuseyn MUSTAFAYEV (AZE)
SEMIFINAL - Mustafa KAYA (TUR) df. Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL), 6-6
SEMIFINAL - Aghahuseyn MUSTAFAYEV (AZE) df. Nicolae COJOCARU (GBR), 6-0

79kg
GOLD - Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) vs. Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) df. Andrei KARPACH (BLR), 9-4
SEMIFINAL - Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Oleksii DOMANYTSKYI (UKR), 7-0

97kg
GOLD - Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) vs. Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR)
SEMIFINAL - Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) df.. Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO), 2-1
SEMIFINAL - Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) df. Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD), 12-0

SCHEDULE

Tuesday (April 9)
9:30 - Weigh-in FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
9:45 - Medical Examination & Weigh-in FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
11:30 - Repechage FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
15:00 - Draw WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
16:15 - Opening Ceremony
17:15 - Semi Final FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
18:00 - Finals FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg / Award ceremonies

Wednesday (April 10)
9:30 - Weigh-in FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
9:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
11:30 - Repechage FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
14:00 - Draw WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
17:15 - Semi Final WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
18: 00 - Finals FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg / Award ceremonies

Thursday (April 11)
9:30 - Weigh-in WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
9:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg page4image2914979424 page4image2914979968
14:00 - Repechage WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
14:00 - Draw GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
17:15 - Semi Final WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
18:00 - Finals WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg / Award ceremonies

Friday (April 12)
9:30 - Weigh-in WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
9:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
11:30 - Repechage WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
15:40 - Draw GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
17:15 - Semi Final GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
18:00 - Finals WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg / Award ceremonies

Saturday (April 13)
9:30 - Weigh-in GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
9:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
11:30 - Repechage GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
17:15 - Semi Final GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
18:00 - Finals GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg / Award ceremonies

Sunday (April 14)
9:30 - Weigh-in GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
16:00 - Repechage GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
18:00 - Finals GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg / Award ceremonies

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 Freestyle Live Blog

Sunday, June 1, 2025 - 02:15 By Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (June 1) -- The fourth and final day of the Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 will see seven weight classes in Freestyle with Olympic bronze medalist AMAN (IND) returning as well.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

14:15: Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW) has a rematch with Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) after beating Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR) 12-1 in the 125kg semifinal. Mukhtur defeated Nambardagva BATBAYAR (MGL) 5-0.

14:05: Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) makes it to the final at 97kg and the small crowd here is all for it. He defeated VICKY (IND) 4-2 in the semifinal, a match the Indian complained of wrong score on the scoreboard.

He will face Ahmad BAZRI (IRI) in the final after the Iranian won 8-0 over Resul GUNE (TUR) in the other semifinal.

13:50: In the 79kg semifinals, Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) with a fall over Dalaitseren JAVKHLANKHUU (MGL) and Fariborz BABAEIR (IRI) with a controlled win over AMIT (IND).

13:33: Mohammadali AMOUZAD (IRI) with a last-ditch attempt to win against Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI) but his head pinch is only worth two points as he goes down 10-6 in the 70kg semifinal. Fazli trailed 4-1 but scored consistently to make it 9-4 before Amouzad got two points to exposure, too little too late.

Konstantin KAPRYNOV (UWW) needs only two minutes and 26 seconds to finish his semifinal against Usukhbayar BAATARKHUU (MGL) and win 10-0.

13:20: Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) holds off Ahmet DUMAN (TUR) for a 3-3 win in the 65kg semifinal and enter the final in which he will face Dzhambulat KIZINOV (UWW) who proved extremely strong for Ikromzhon KHADZHIMURODOV (KGZ) and won 9-3.

13:11: Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) takes out compatriot Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) 9-1 in the other 61kg semifinal and he will wrestle UDIT (IND) in the final.

13:10: UDIT (IND) reaches the final at 61kg with a 2-1 win over Artem GOBAEV (UWW). A takedown in the first period the difference between the two. The one point for Gobaev came from a lost challenge from India.

13:00: Another disappointing semifinal loss for India at 57kg as RAHUL (IND) falls to Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) 6-3 after the Mongolian scored three takedowns in the first period and defended his lead.

12:55: Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) two huge four-pointers which set up his 14-11 win over AMAN (IND), the Paris Olympic bronze medalist from India. Aman maintained continued pressure and scored at regular intervals. However, Bravo Young never let the lead swell too much. Aman led 11-10 in the final 20 seconds when Bravo Young scored a takedown and turn to win 14-11, ultimately called a pin.

Semifinals begins straightaway on Mat A and B

12:45: In the final match of the qualifications round, Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) wins 6-2 against Narantulga DARMAABAZAR (MGL) in Round 3 at 125kg.

12:35: Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI) with a takedown with less than 30 seconds left in the match to claim a 5-1 win over Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) at 70kg. Fazli got a point for stepout during his activity period to take a 1-0 lead. Tumur Ochir took the 1-1 criteria lead after Fazli was called passive in the second period. However, Fazli got behind and then scored a takedown. Tumur Ochir was cautioned for fleeing but Mongolia challenged the call which was upheld and it lost the challenge making the score 5-1.

12:23: Mohammadali AMOUZAD (IRI), the twin brother of Paris Olympic silver medalist Rahman, with a clutch takedown over Vishal KALIRAMANA (IND) from disadvantageous position to win 3-2 at 70kg.

12:10: Ahmet DUMAN (TUR) with a bodylock throw for four and then laces ROHIT (IND) for an 11-0 victory at 65kg to enter the semifinals.

11:55: Iran's Ahmad BAZRI (IRI) opens his campaign at 97kg with a 4-0 win against Irbeg TAVGAZOV (UWW). Bazri will wrestle Resul GUNE (TUR) in the semifinal after he defeated Bady SAMDAN (UWW) via fall.

11:46: Magomet EVLOEV (TJK), silver medalist from Asian Championships, gets his first win of the day with a 6-0 shutout of AMIT (IND) at 79kg.

11:40: Asian silver medalist UDIT (IND) with a solid 11-0 win over Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) in the quarterfinals at 61kg. Great defense whenever Myrzanazar Uulu tried attacks.

11:30: Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) beats compatriot Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL) 7-3 to book a semifinal spot at 57kg against RAHUL (IND) who defeated Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ).

11:20: Pan-Am champion Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) starts off at 57kg with a 12-2 win over Bekir KESER (TUR). With the win, he gets a shot at Paris bronze AMAN (IND) in the semifinals.

11:13: Zagir SHAKHIEV (UWW), the 2021 world champion at 65kg and hoping to make a comeback to international wrestling at 70kg, drops his opening bout to Konstantin KAPRYNOV (UWW). He gives up two stepouts and a takedown and scores only one stepout as Kaprynov wins 5-1. Kaprynov was silver medalist at the Yarygin tournament to David BAEV (UWW) this year.

11:10: Paris bronze medalist AMAN (IND), wrestling first time since the Games in August 2024, starts off with an 11-1 win over Almaz SAMABEKOV (KGZ). Typical Aman win where he wears his opponents out and then scores his takedowns.

10:52: In 125kg Round 1, Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW) started off well with two stepouts but world medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) rallies his attacks and wins 9-1.

10:48: Olympian Georgii OKOROKOVV (AUS) was almost pulling off a huge upset against Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ), taking a 6-0 lead but his conditioning gave up on him and Myrzanazar Uulu wins 13-6 at 61kg. As it is a round-robin bracket, Okorovv will wrestle again.

10:40: RAHUL (IND) with an upset win over European U23 champion Lev PAVLOV (UWW) at 57kg. Pavlov was warned for being passive in the first period which gave Rahul the 1-0 lead. But there was no change in Pavlov's intent in the second period and was warned again which made it 2-0 for Rahul. A beautiful duck under from Rahul for a takedown extended his lead 4-0. Pavlov, who had been warned for finger-grabbing before, was cautioned again and Rahul got one point. That was all as Rahul won 5-0.

10:36: Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) begins his 57kg campaign with a 12-2 win over Jiguur SARANTUYA (MGL) which included a huge arm throw for four points.

10:30: The Ulaanbaatar Open enters its last day with Freestyle action in 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 97kg and 125kg.

Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Russia Each Place Three into Tuesday's European Freestyle Finals

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Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 Freestyle Live Blog