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

#WrestleNoviSad

U23 World Championships 2025 Day 5 FS & WW Highlights

Friday, October 24, 2025 - 08:30 By Vinay Siwach

NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 23) -- The U23 World Championships enters day five with two Freestyle weight classes -- 74kg and 92kg and three in women's wrestling -- 53kg, 59kg and 62kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 RESULTS

14:40: European champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) finds a way to beat Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) in the final 40 seconds. Kolawale was lead 3-0 but Bondar with two different takedowns to win 4-3.

14:30: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) seems to be unbothered by the weight change as he puts on a clinic to win his 74kg quarterfinals against Mohammad BAKHSHI (JPN), 11-0. Aoyagi now into the semifinals

14:25: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) puts Iran in the semifinals after a technical superiority win over Joshua BARR (USA). Azimi led 1-1 on criteria but Barr began the second period with a takedown. But Azimi kept the pressure and scored a takedown, and used a high gut-wrench to score five turns and complete a 13-3 win and advance to the 92kg semifinals

14:20: There is no way

14:15: Mukhamed KHANIEV (AZE) with a 10-0 victory over SACHIN (IND) and move into the semifinals at 92kg. Khaniev with three go-behinds before launching a big throw and turn to win via technical superiority.

14:10: Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) with another technical superiority win as he beats Omar MOURAD (EGY), 12-2, to enter the 74kg semifinals.

14:00: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) and Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) face-off in the quarterfinals at 74kg. Both wrestlers exchange takedowns with Asluev leading 2-2 on criteria. Khaniev gets on a leg attack and manages to trip Asluev without control. It is, however, scored two points for Khaniev which gives him a 4-2 lead. Asluev manages to leg attack Khaniev but no points as both wrestlers go out of bounds in par terre. Bahrain challenges the call but it is lost, giving a 5-2 lead to Khaniev. Khaniev gets hit with caution and one point for fleeing, and the bout resumes in par terre. Asluev was about to turn Khaniev but loses his grip and Khaniev gets the two points for exposure which is also his winning points in his 7-3 win

13:35: SARIKA (IND) with a late takedown against Alexis JANIAK (USA) to clinch a 6-4 victory in their 59kg bout. Sarika set up Janiak a couple of times but failed to finish until the final takedown which resulted in victory.

13:30: Returning silver medalist Ruka NATAMI (JPN) got a solid challenge from Olivia LICHTI (CAN) in her opening 59kg bout. Natami managed to counter Licthi's attacks and score her points in the 8-1 win but Litchi can be proud of her world debut

13:15: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) books a spot in quarterfinals at 92kg against Joshua BARR (USA) after an 8-1 victory over Sadig MUSTAFAZADE (AZE). Big four pointer for Azimi in that win.

12:50: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) with a quick takedown and turn to lead 4-1 against SAVITA (IND) after being put on activity clock in the 62kg match. Savit starts the second period with a takedown to make the score 4-3. Bondar defends that lead for the last two minutes to advance to the quarterfinals.

12:45: Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) gets his double-leg attacks to win his 1/8 finals against PARVINDER (IND), 10-0, at 74kg. He finished with a lace turn to get the last two points.

12:30: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) comes back from 3-1 down to beat Ion MARCU (MDA), 11-5, at 74kg. Asluev moves into the quarterfinals and keeps Magomed BAITUKAEV (UWW) alive

12:25: Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) with some masterful defense against Grigor CHOLAKYAN (ARM) and he scores on counters to beat the Armenian 14-5. Khaniev now in the quarterfinals.

12:20: Moving into the next round of 74kg bouts and we have world champion Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) doing what he does best. He beats Baitemir TULEBERDIEV (KGZ) 11-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.

11:40: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), chasing a historic gold to complete the Golden Grand Slam, begins with a fall over world bronze medalist Nigina SABIROVA (UZB) at 62kg.

11:30: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) upsets U20 world champion Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) at 92kg. Mix of stepouts and takedowns in his 7-1 victory.

11:15: U20 world champion and senior European champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) and Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) involved in a little heated match. Bondar wanted twice for aggressive fouls but she manages to beat Ilyasoglu via fall at 62kg.

10:55: Former U20 world champion Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) begins his chase for a first world U23 title with a 12-2 win over Aliaksandr HULNIK (UWW) at 74kg.

U23 World Championships 74kg

10:50: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN), world champion at 70kg, makes his debut at 74kg at the U23 World Championships. He begins slow but manages to up the pace in the second period and beat Petar PETKOV (BUL), 10-0.

10:40: Muhammed OZMUS (TUR) has pulled off a mini upset at 74kg as he beats Manuel WAGIN (GER), 10-2, two chest wrap attempts from Wagin costed him eight points and one for the lost challenge in that defeat.

10:30: Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) has more steady start at 74kg. He starts with a 10-0 controlled win against Georgios IOAKEIMIDIS (GRE). Khaniev will now be the favorite to reach the final from top half of that bracket.

10:20: We are off to very unexpected start at 74kg. Magomed BAITUKAEV (UWW), one of the favorites for gold at 74kg, goes down 3-3 against Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) in the opening bout. He led 3-0 but Asluev tied it in the second period, taking a criteria lead. He defended the lead to win.

10:00: The fifth day in Novi Sad can witness history. Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) is chasing the gold and join the elite group of wrestlers to win all world titles and the Olympic gold medal.

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

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U23 World Championships 2025 Day 5 FS & WW Highlights