#WrestleDortmund

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

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 GUTUAlexandrin 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 Hamza BAKIR (TUR)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 GURBANOVDiego 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)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

European Championships 2025 Day 1 Freestyle Semis Set

By Vinay Siwach

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 7) -- The European Championships begins in Bratislava with Freestyle weight classes 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg and 97kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEW

57kg semifinals
SF 1:
Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW) vs. Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB)
SF 2: Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) vs. Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE)

65kg semifinals
SF 1:
Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) vs. Goga OTINASHVILI (GEO)
SF 2: Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE) vs. Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA)

70kg semifinals
SF 1:
Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO) vs. Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM)
SF 2: David BAEV (UWW) vs. Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE)

79kg semifinals
SF 1:
Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) vs. Ion MARCU (MDA)
SF 2: Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP) vs. Akhmed USMANOV (UWW)

97kg
SF 1:
Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) vs. Richard VEGH (HUN)
SF 2: Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) vs. Radu LEFTER (MDA)

The semifinals will begin at 18:00 local time

13:30: In the final bout of the morning session, Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE) books his spot in the 65kg semifinal with a 10-0 win over Nico MEGERLE (GER). Rahimzada led 2-0 at the break, adds a takedown, two chest-wrap turns and a takedown with a minute and 18 left to win 10-0.

13:20: In a marquee 65kg match, European champion Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) takes on world U23 champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW). Tevanyan is put on the activity clock first and he falls behind 1-0 at the break. The second period sees more action and Tevanyan gets on the leg-attack but Ibragimov manages to keep it down to a step down. A fleeing caution is hit on Ibragimov which gives Tevanyan a 2-1 lead. Ibragimov with a fake snap for takedown on the edge to claim a 3-2 lead with a minute remaining. Tevanyan can't break the defense and Ibragimov gets the 3-2 win to enter semifinals at 65kg.

13:12: Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) adds to the misery of the local fans as he beats Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) at 97kg. Kurbanov relied on his defense to counter Tsakulov and win 9-1 and advance to the semifinals.

13:08: For a place in the 97kg semifinals, Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) takes on Richard VEGH (HUN). Abakarov scores a takedown just before the break to lead 2-1. Vegh gets a stepouts to make it 2-2 but Abakarov leads on criteria for his takedown. Vegh scores another stepout in the final 25 seconds to lead 3-2. He squares up to defend and Abakarov tries to reach the far leg but Vegh evades and spins behind for two. He wins 5-2.

13:02: Veteran Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) pulls off a 4-0 win over Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) at 79kg and enters the semifinal. Two points for activity and a takedown are enough for Khadjiev. He celebrates the win with a sigh of relief. Local fans heartbroken with the loss.

12:55: Big match at 79kg as world champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) takes on former European champion Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR). Both wrestlers start slow but it is Usmanov who gets on the scoreboard first with an activity point. Mykhailov gets on the clock as well and leads 1-1 on criteria. In the final minute, Mykhailov is put on the activity clock again and the lead switches to Usmanov, 2-1, with a 20 seconds left on the clock. Usmanov defends the time and advances to the semifinals at 79kg

12:47: Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP) had built an 8-0 lead in the first period over Okan TAHTACI (TUR) in their 79kg quarterfinal but Tahtaci scored a takedown and turn to cut it to 8-4 against a tiring Mottaghinia. But as it looked like Tahtaci would make a match of it, Mottaghinia scores a takedown and two lace turns to win 14-4.

12:40: Defending 70kg champion Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) advances to the semifinals with a controlled 4-0 win over Oleksii BORUTA (UKR) and takes a step closer to defend his gold medal.

12:30: Defending 97kg champion Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) opens with a 11-0 win over Radoslaw BARAN (POL). He got a point for Baran's passivity, scored a takedown before adding three gut-wrenches to lead 9-0 at the break. A go-behind in the second period is enough for the win.

12:25: Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) with an over-under lock and throw for four to lead 4-1 against Manvel KHNDZRTSYAN (ARM) at break in their 57kg quarterfinal. That remained the only scoring move of the match even as Khndzrtsyan tried breaking the shackles in the second period. Mongush into the semifinals with a 4-1 win.

12:10: David BAEV (UWW) is looking unstoppable. He now gut wrenches Viktor VOINOVIC (SRB) and advances to the semifinal at 70kg which will be held at 18:00 local time

12:05: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) in defense is one of the best you get out there. He works up a 3-0 win over Islam GUSEINOV (UWW) at 65kg enters the quarterfinals.

11:55: Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) started off slow but he takes just 2 minutes and 17 seconds to beat Gurgen SIMONYAN (ARM) 10-0 at 97kg.

11:40: Defending 79kg champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) gets two activity points and a stepout as he wins 3-0 against Paris Olympian and world silver medalist Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO). Usmanov had defeated Gamkrelidze in the 79kg final at the 2023 World Championships.

11:30: Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE), moving up to 97kg for the European Championships, opens up a 8-2 win over Vasyl SOVA (UKR)

11:20: Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) posts a technical superiority win over Hayk PAPIKYAN (ARM) and advances at 79kg. He is chasing his second European gold

11:05: Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW) hands Kamil KERYMOV (UKR) a 10-0 humbling at 57kg. Tiutrin is one of the hopefuls to win the gold. In the next match at 57kg, Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW), who won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series gold at 61kg, wins 100- against Ivaylo TISOV (BUL)

11:00: Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), former European champion, gets on the scoreboard with a activity clock point to lead 1-0 against Niklas STECHELE (GER) at the break in their 57kg bout. He adds a stepout to make it 2-0. A double-leg takedown to make it 4-0 and Stechele can't break the defense.

10:56: Former world U20 champion Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) makes quick work of Benedikt HUBER (AUT) in the 70kg opening round bout.

10:50: Battle of two world champions on Mat B as Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), world 65kg champion in 2023, takes on David BAEV (UWW), who won gold medal at 79kg in 2019. Baev opens up a 4-0 lead with a takedown and two stepouts as Muszukajev evades most of the attacks in the first period. Baev starts the second period with a double-leg. Muszukajev avoids a takeodwn but Baev laces him and spins him for an in-air leg lace and gets four and two to win 10-0 and advance at 70kg. 

10:42: On Mat C, three-time European champion Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) opens his defense of 70kg gold with a takedown class and finishes with a 10-0 win over Mateusz LUSZCZYNSKI (POL).

10:35: World U23 champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) takes a minute and 46 seconds to roll to a 10-0 victory over Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL)

10:30: The European Championships are underway in Bratislava. Big names are wrestling with five gold medals on line.