#kaspeuro2018

Chamizo Stops Tenth Russian From Making #KaspEuro2018 Semifinals

By Eric Olanowski

KASPIISK, Russia (May 5) – Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) stopped Russia from putting their tenth straight wrestler into the 2018 European semifinals by sticking Khetig TSABOLOV (RUS). 

The Italian showed why he is the best defensive wrestler on the planet during his second round bout against the Russian 2017 world runner-up. 

Chamizo, who is a two-time European champion was leading 3-0 before using Tsabolov’s high crotch to throw him to his back, ultimately picking up the fall. 

Chamizo, the 2017 world champion at 70kg will wrestle reigning 74kg European champion, Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) tonight at 5:15 PM (local time) for a spot in the 2018 European finals. 

SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS
61kg
Semifinals - Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) vs. Recep TOPAL (TUR)
Semifinals - Mirjalal HASAN ZADA (AZE) vs. Beka LOMTADZE (GEO)

74kg 
Semifinals - Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA) vs.  Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) 
Semifinals - Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) vs. Andrei KARPACH (BLR)

86kg 
Semifinals - Fatih ERDIN (TUR) vs. Artur NAIFONOV (RUS) 
Semifinals - Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) vs. Sandro AMINASHVILI (GEO)

92kg 
Semifinals - Irakli MTSITURI (GEO) vs. Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) 
Semifinals - Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) vs. Serdar BOKE (TUR)

125kg 
Semifinals - Taha AKGUL (TUR) vs. Muradin KUSHKHOV (RUS) 
Semifinals - Robert BARAN (POL) vs. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO)

#kaspeuro2018

Lalovic Welcomes Ukraine’s Decision to Compete at European Wrestling C’ships

By Tim Foley

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 20) – United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic has welcomed today’s decision by Ukraine Minister of Youth and Sport to allow its nation’s wrestlers to attend the 2018 Senior European Wrestling Championships in Kaspiysk, Russia.

Earlier this month, the Minister of Youth and Sport in Ukraine banned athletes from competing in Russia, as a response to the two nation’s ongoing political conflict. However, the Ukrainian Wrestling Federation, supported by Lalovic, voted last week to attend the championships and was reinforced by today’s announcement.

“We welcome today’s decision by the minister,” Lalovic said. “Politics should never interfere with sport and we look forward to seeing the Ukrainian team compete in Kaspiysk.”

Lalovic, who is also a member of the IOC Executive Board, has been a vocal advocate for open sport. As head of the wrestling federation since 2013 Lalovic has been active in promoting positive interactions between nations both on and off the field of play.

The 2018 Senior European Wrestling Championships begin April 30th at the Ali Aliev Palace of Youth and Sports in Kaspiysk. Russia is the defending team champions in men’s freestyle and women’s wrestling, while Hungary captured the first-place team trophy in Greco-Roman.