Bisultanov Gives Denmark GR Gold, Two Repeat as Euro Champs at #WrestleDortmund

Saturday, July 3, 2021 - 16:09 By Vinay Siwach

DORTMUND, Germany (July 3) --- The last time a Greco-Roman wrestler from Denmark became a junior European champion, he went to became a World and Olympic silver medalist. That was Mark MADSEN (DEN).

17 years after Madsen won the junior title, Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) achieved the same feat with a stunning run at the junior European Championships in Dortmund, Germany on Saturday.

The former cadet world bronze medalist overcame challenges from fellow cadet world medalist including two-time silver medalist and cadet European champ Muhammad EVLOEV (RUS) in the semifinals.

In the final at 87kg, Bisultanov faced Gabriel LUPASCO (MDA), a cadet world silver medalist had no answers to the Danish wrestler's pressure for the entire six minutes. After being warned for passivity, Lupasco gave up a point for push out and trailed 0-2.

Bisultanov up the ante with a takedown in the danger zone to lead 4-0. The call was challenged by Moldova alleging a leg foul from the Dane. But they lost the challenge, giving Bisultanov another point. Another takedown improved the score to 7-0 and he kept the lead until the clock expired.

The 20-year-old had finished fifth at his debut senior European Championships in April this year, and said that the experience will help him get better as he continues to improve.

Lupasco may not have been able to win the gold but his compatriot and another briskly improving wrestler Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) captured the gold medal at 77kg.

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) won the junior Euro title at 77kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The former cadet World and European champion faced Giorgi SHPETISHVILI (GEO) in the final. The Georgian was a 71kg bronze medalist at the 2018 cadet Worlds, in which Gutu won gold. The two had clashed in the 1/8 finals in Croatia with Gutu defeating Shpetishvili via fall.

Exactly two years later, history repeated itself as Gutu handed Shpetishvili another defeated via fall to win the 77kg gold medal in Dortmund.

The two were tied 3-3 after the first period and it looked like Shpetishvili will not meet the same fate but Gutu, who won the gold at Youth Olympics in 2018, claimed five more points in the second period before getting the pin.

Gutu, a bronze medalist at the Individual World Cup, outscored his opponents 39-10 with wins in semifinal and final via fall.

Two defend titles

Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) defended his 130kg title in Dortmund. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 130kg, Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) repeated by winning the gold medal against Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR). The cadet world champion held on to a 3-1 win against the Ukrainian to defended his European title.

In the opening round, Bakir was awarded a point for Vyshnybetskyi's passivity and he performed a gut wrench from the par terre position, leading 3-0 at the break.

The Ukrainian also got a point for Bakir's passivity in the second period but he could not take any advantage from the par terre position, giving the Turk the win.

Bakir gave up only three points in his four bouts in Dortmund, outscoring his opponents 25-3 on his way to the gold medal.

Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) was the second wrestler who defended his title, having won the 2019 gold at 60kg.

Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df Gurban GURBANOV Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) collects four points with a throw against Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

He met Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) in the 63kg final on Saturday and beat him 8-1 to win the gold medal. His aggressive wrestling gave Gurbanov little time to adjust and secured himself the top medal.

Opening up with an over-the-shoulder throw, Chkhikvadze made his intentions clear early on. Gurbanov was awarded a point for reversal but the lead remained with the Georgian.

Gurbanov, a former cadet world champion at 42kg, was then called for passivity which made the score 3-1 in Chkhikvadze's favour. From par terre, the Georgian came up with a huge throw and led 7-1. Azerbaijan challenged the call but lost, losing another point.

Chkhikvadze's run in Dortmund saw him hand U23 European silver medalist Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) suffer a 3-1 defeat before the Georgian humbled wrestlers from Russia and France.

Gerogia could have had two champions on Saturday but Pavel BELKIN (RUS) defeated Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO) to spoil there party at 55kg.

It was a match that finished in quick time as Belkin performed a stunning body lift throw on Tokhadze to win 8-0 in just one minute and six seconds.

Tokhadze began with a head-pinch when Belkin was applying pressure but could not get the exposure, leading to Belkin ending up on top. The referees gave four points for that but Georgia challenged and won. The score was revised as 2-0 for Russia.

The Georgian again initiated an attack up a scramble saw him give up points. Continuing the takedown, Belkin lifted the Georgian for four-point throw, ending the match. A visibly stunned Tokhadze took time to recollect before walking back to the center.

Wrestling on the final day of the Championships will see the medal bouts of the remaining five Greco-Roman weight categories – 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg and 97kg – in Dortmund.

Pavel BELKIN (RUS) celebrates after winning the 55kg gold in Dortmund. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

RESULTS GR

55kg
GOLD: Pavel BELKIN (RUS) df Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO), 8-0

BRONZE: Denis DEMIROV (BUL) df Muhammet CAKIR (TUR), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Denis MIHAI (ROU) df Garnik HOVHANNISYAN (ARM), 9-2

63kg
GOLD: Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df Gurban GURBANOV (AZE), 8-1

BRONZE: Corneliu RUSU (MDA) df Ilia MUSTAKOV (BUL), 4-3
BRONZE: Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) df Yanis NIFRI (FRA), 3-2

77kg
GOLD: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df Giorgi SHPETISHVILI (GEO), via fall

BRONZE: Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) df Yuksel SARICICEK (TUR), 5-3
BRONZE: Jonni SARKKINEN (FIN) df David ZHYTOMYRSKY (ISR), 11-0

87kg
GOLD: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) df Gabriel LUPASCO (MDA), 7-0

BRONZE: Algot KAELLMAN (SWE) df Patrik MEZEI (HUN), 7-0
BRONZE: Muhammad EVLOEV (RUS) df Dzmitry SALAUYANAU (BLR), 9-0

130kg
GOLD: Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) df Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR), 3-1

BRONZE: Tomasz WAWRZYNCZYK (POL) df Nikolaos NTOUNIAS (GRE), 7-6
BRONZE: Adolf BAZSO (HUN) df Albert VARDANYAN (ARM), 1-1

#WrestleBratislava

Baev marks international return with European gold

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 19:51 By Vinay Siwach

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 8) -- David BAEV (UWW) began his international career in Slovakia when he won the cadet [U17] world gold medal in 2014 in Snina, a small town in west Slovakia. Who would have thought that Baev's long awaited international return will also be in the same country.

Baev returned to Slovakia after 11 years, ending his six-year absence from international competitions, winning the gold medal at 70kg at the European Championships, his first-ever.

"Honestly, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time, and I enjoyed every second of it," Baev said after the final "I’ve so badly wanted to see those blue and purple banners from UWW Worlds and Europeans [respectively]."

David BAEV (UWW) at the podium of the U17 World Championships in 2014. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The 28-year-old last competed internationally at the 2019 World Championships in Astana where he won the 70kg gold medal. He tried moving to the 74kg weight class with a hope to make Olympic but with little success.

He moved back to 70kg and began winning again. On Tuesday, despite his long layoff from international scene, Baev hardly made it look like he was away for long.

David BAEV (UWW) wrestles Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) in the 70kg final at the European Championships in Bratislava. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Baev denied Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) his second straight title at 70kg, beating the Armenian 4-1 in the final at his first international competition since winning the gold medal at the 2019 World Championships.

The first point of the bout was from Andreasyan's passivity and Baev scored a takedown in the second period for a 3-0 lead. A stepout made it 4-0 before he gave up a stepout for one point.

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Baev celebrated winning his gold medal by spreading his arms and looking up to the skies with a sigh of relief. He later said that he did the same celebration when he won the gold in 2014 and decided to stay with the that celebration since then.

"My first victory where I celebrated was 11 years ago, also in Slovakia," he said. "Since then, after every win — and even after losses — I do the same celebration."

He recalled his first visit to Slovakia in 2014 and called the country in which he only has good memories.

"I was 16 years old when I traveled abroad for the first time — it was Slovakia," he said. "My first international competition [U17 Worlds], at 58 kilograms. I won, so I have only good memories of Slovakia. I have friends here, and some of my close friends even compete for the Slovak national team. I’ve visited them here, stayed with them."

David BAEV (UWW) on the podium after receiving his gold medal at the European Championships. (Photo: Untied World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Baev wore a "Buvaisar SAITIEV" tee shirt after his bouts and dedicated his gold medal to the three-time Olympic champion who passed away in March aged 49.

"Saitiev is a legendary wrestler," he said. "His name has practically become symbolic. It’s like when someone talks about basketball, they mention Jordan. Or when it’s football, they bring up Ronaldo or Maradona. In wrestling, it’s Saitiev. What he showed on the mat… no one has ever shown before, and probably no one ever will."

Remembering Saitiev, Baev said he met Saitiev once when he was four years old. However, he never got a chance to meet him again.

"I actually met him once as a kid," he said. "My father’s friends took me to the Akhmat Kadyrov Memorial tournament. I was very young, but I remember sitting at the same table with him — I even have a photo.

"Honestly, I’ve always wanted to ask him if he remembers that little boy sitting at the table with him in that café… But sadly, I never got the chance."

Baev was not the only one wearing the Saitiev shirt. Three other "UWW" wrestler won gold on Tuesday and dedicated their medals to Saitiev.

Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW), blue, defends against Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) in the 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostandin Andonov)

At 57kg, Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) earned his first-ever European gold medal after he defeated Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), 7-4, a closely contested final.

Tuskaev, hoping to become Serbia's first-ever European champion in Freestyle, fell behind early with a point for his passivity and then a stepout. Mongush added a takedown to make it 4-0.

With time running out, Tuskaev made desperate attempts and got two for a takedown. A scramble was awarded two points each with Mongush still leading 6-4. In the final 10 seconds, Tuskaev was about to score a go-behind but Mongush blocked him and secured the win and his first-ever European gold.

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France was looking for its first Freestyle European champion as it had two finalists on Tuesday but the drought is set to continue as both wrestlers failed to cross the hurdle to win gold.

At 65kg, Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) suffered a 3-0 defeat to Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) who had a dominant run to the gold medal. Ibragimov's win was similar to his 6-2 win over Arsamerzouev in the 2024 European U23 Championships final.

Arsamerzouev was hit with a passivity call in the first period and he failed to score, giving Ibragimov a 1-0 lead. While the French wrestler did make some inroads in the second period, Ibragimov managed to score a takedown for a 3-0 lead.

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Two-time European silver medalist Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) will have to wait for his gold medal as former world champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) posted a 9-1 win in the 79kg final which also included a massive front headlock throw for four.

Usmanov now has back-to-back European gold medals while Khadjiev has third silver as had finished with silver medals at the 2018 and 2019 European Championships.

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Matcharashvili hat-trick

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) completed a hat-trick of European gold medals after he defeated Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) in the 97kg final.

Maintaining his perfect record of wins at European Championships, Matcharashvili pulled out his signature move of front headpinch and scored two points against Kurbanov to win 3-2, making a comeback after giving up a activity clock point and a stepout.

"This European Championships is important for me," Matcharashvili said. "I am a three-time champion now. I love wrestling and wrestling is my life."

Asked about his comeback against Kurbanov using a front chest wrap throw to take the lead, Matcharashvili said he knows that he will aways win that position

"This is my personal move," he said. "When I am in this position, 100 percent I will win the points."

Last year after winning the gold in Bucharest, Romania, Matcharashvili called out all 97kg wrestlers. This year, he was more humble in his message.

"The message is the same." he said. "This is my job and I am ready for every, anytime. When I am standing on the podium with our flag going up, that's what matters."

Matcharashvili's third gold puts him tied second the list of Georgians with most European titles in Freestyle with Rio 2016 Olympic champion Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO).

Eldar KURTANIDZE (GEO) still holds the record of most European titles for Georgia in Freestyle with five which he won in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2005.

RESULTS

Freestyle

57kg
GOLD: Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) df. Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), 7-4

BRONZE: Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) df. Ivaylo TISOV (BUL), 12-2
BRONZE: Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW) df. Niklas STECHELE (GER), 4-1

65kg
GOLD: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) df. Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA), 3-0

BRONZE: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Goga OTINASHVILI (GEO), via forfeit
BRONZE: Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE) df. Andrii SVYRYD (UKR), 4-0

70kg
GOLD: David BAEV (UWW) df. Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), 4-1

BRONZE: Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO) df. Oleksii BORUTA (UKR), 6-2
BRONZE: Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) df. Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), 5-2

79kg
GOLD: Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) df. Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA), 9-1

BRONZE: Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) df. Ion MARCU (MDA), 3-0
BRONZE: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) df. Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP), 4-1

97kg
GOLD: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) df. Magomed KURBANOV (UWW), 3-2

BRONZE: Richard VEGH (HUN) df. Radoslaw BARAN (POL), 10-6
BRONZE: Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) df. Radu LEFTER (MDA), 11-0

Semifinals

61kg
GOLD: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs. Zavur UGUEV (UWW)

SF 1: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 5-2
SF 2: Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Dzmitry SHAMELA (UWW), 10-0

74kg
GOLD: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) vs. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW)

SF 1: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) df. Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE), 6-0
SF 2: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 2-0

86kg
GOLD: Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) vs. Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW)

SF 1: Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) df. Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL), via fall (9-0)
SF 2: Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) df. Artur NAIFONOV (UWW), 6-3

92kg
GOLD: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) vs. Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE)

SF 1: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 5-2
SF 2: Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) df. Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR), 3-3

125kg
GOLD: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) vs. Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO)

SF 1: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) df. Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW), 8-5
SF 2: Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) df. Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL), 8-3

Bisultanov Gives Denmark GR Gold, Two Repeat as Euro Champs at #WrestleDortmund

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Baev marks international return with European gold