#WrestleBelgrade

Chamizo Storms into FS Finals, Russia Advances 3

Wednesday, December 16, 2020 - 18:13 By United World Wrestling Press

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BELGRADE, Serbia (December 16) -- Two-time world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) stormed into the 74kg finals on the first day of freestyle competition at the Individual World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia.

The 28-year-old Chamizo, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, finished the day 4-0, capped off by a 10-0 technical superiority over Azamat NURYKAU (BLR) in the semifinals. After getting a pair of takedowns in the opening period, Chamizo blew the match open in the second period after a four-point takedown, which was challenged and upheld. He then finished the match with a step out. 

Chamizo will meet Razambek ZHAMALOV (RUS) in the 74kg final. Zhamalov moved into the 74kg final with a 5-0 shutout over Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK). The Russian scored his first three points off step outs before adding a two-point exposure late in the match off a desperation attempt by Salkazanov.

Zhamalov was one of four semifinal winners for Russia on Wednesday. Russia's other semifinal winners included Zavur UGUEV (57kg), Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (92kg) and Shamil SHARIPOV (125kg).

Two-time world champion Zavur UGUEV (RUS) advanced to the 57kg final (Photo: Kadir CALISKAN, UWW)

The two-time world champion Uguev earned his spot in the 57kg final with a fall over two-time cadet world champion Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI). The first period was competitive, with Uguev holding a 2-1 lead at the break. In the second period, Ugaev was able to expose Amouzadkhalili before getting the fall. He will face Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) in the 57kg final. The Armenian earned a 7-4 win over Stevan MICIC (SRB) in the semifinals. 

Zhabrailov was dominant in his 92kg semifinal, rolling to a 10-0 technical superiority over Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR). He quickly went up 6-0 after a takedown and a pair of gut wrenches. Zhabrailov ended the match with a takedown and two-point exposure. 

Georgii RUBAEV (MDA) came from behind to win in his semifinal at 92kg (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

Georgii RUBAEV (MDA) won the other 92kg semifinal with a comeback victory over Gadzhimurad MAGOMEDSAIDOV (AZE). Magomedsaidov was in control for much of the match. He scored his first point off a passivity before getting a takedown to go up 3-0, which he took into the break. The Azerbaijani wrestler extended his lead to 5-0 in the second period after a takedown. The tide turned, however, in the second period when Rubaev countered an attack and threw Magomedsaidov for four points. The call was challenged and upheld, giving Rubaev the 5-5 criteria lead. He would then hold on for the victory. 

Shamil SHARIPOV (RUS) was dominant in his semifinal match at 125kg (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

Russia's fourth semifinal winner, Sharipov, advanced to the gold-medal match with a 13-2 technical superiority over Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR). After going up 4-0 after the opening period, Sharipov added three more takedowns and a step out before ending the match with a gut wrench.  

Robert BARAN (POL) advanced to the 125kg final with a 6-0 shutout over Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ). Baran held a narrow 1-0 lead before pulling away in the second period on the strength of a takedown, step out and two-point exposure off a crotch lift. 

At 70kg, Haydar YAVUZ (TUR) blanked Islambek OROZBEKOV (KGZ) 6-0 to reach the 70kg final. He will face Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) for gold. GADZHIEV won by injury default over Chermen VALIEV (RUS) in his semifinal match.

Freestyle Semifinal Results

57kg
Zavur UGUEV (RUS) df. Rahman Mousa AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) by VFA, 4-1
Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Stevan Andria MICIC (SRB) by VPO1, 7-4

70kg
Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) df. Chermen VALIEV (RUS) by VIN, 0-0
Haydar YAVUZ (TUR) df. Islambek OROZBEKOV (KGZ) by VPO, 6-0

74kg
Razambek ZHAMALOV (RUS) df. Tajmuraz Mairbekovic SALKAZANOV (SVK) by VPO, 5-0
Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA) df. Azamat NURYKAU (BLR) by VSU, 10-0

92kg
Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RUS) df. Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR) by VSU, 10-0
Georgii RUBAEV (MDA) df. Gadzhimurad MAGOMEDSAIDOV (AZE) by VPO1, 5-5

125kg
Robert BARAN (POL) df. Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) by VPO, 6-0
Shamil SHARIPOV (RUS) df. Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR) by VSU1, 13-2
 

#WrestleTirana

Sadulaev shuts down Taylor in World Championships showdown

Wednesday, October 30, 2024 - 11:59 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (October 30) -- Two-time world champion at 92kg Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) would have expected his return to the World Championships to make all the noise in Tirana. After all, it had been two years since he last competed at the World Championships.

Enter Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) and David TAYLOR (USA). The former, who last won the world title in 2021, was not able to compete at the Paris Olympics and was injured during the semifinal of the 2023 World Championships.

Taylor, world champion in 2023, missed the Paris Olympics after losing the trials in the United States, announced his retirement and took a coaching job. He came out of retirement and decided to compete at the World Championships and retire.

Both are not 92kg wrestlers. Sadulaev has been a true 97kg for eight years now. Taylor is competing at this weight for the first time after dominating 86kg for years. But the two were pitted against each other in the opening round of the World Championships in Tirana at 92kg.

The small Feti Borova Sports Hall in Tirana did not have space to sit. So where one could, they stood to watch the two wrestle. Saudulaev in a singlet not meant for his 92kg body. Taylor, in his customary elbow on the thigh and waiting for his opponent.

No one knew what was going to happen. Sadulaev was reducing weight, and Taylor was gaining. How would the two match up? It was this lack that prompted the fans to cheer for both. But after the first period, the picture became much clearer. Sadulaev shut down Taylor's offense and came out of the pressure bout 7-0.

After the initial collar ties, Taylor went for the offense. He got on Sadulaev's leg and tried the lift but Sadulaev was swift to get out of the hold. Taylor continued his attack. That's the only way he knows wrestling. Taylor took another offensive shot and Sadulaev, with lessons from the previous attack, pressured forward to neutralize the attack and scored a go-behind for two. Sadulaev resorted to heavy snapdowns and Taylor wasn't able to defend the second one. Within two minutes, Sadulaev was up 4-0.

The speed and power was Sadulaev was impressively superior to that of Taylor who decided to change a little in the second period. He went for the far leg of Sadulaev. But Sadulaev was quick and spun behind Taylor and scored a takedown with less than two minutes left.

By this time, Ghasempour had finished his bout on the other mat. He defeated Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) 6-0 in a rather slow bout.

Sadulaev now had to defend his 5-0 lead. Taylor continued his aggressive approach and got on Sadulaev's right leg. What he did not expect was the quick counter from Sadulaev who pushed Taylor and scored an exposure for two. It was evident that Taylor could not match Sadulaev.

David TAYLOR (USA)David TAYLOR (USA) in the warm-up hall after his bout against Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) at 92kg in Tirana. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

"I did not score on the two times I shot and he did," Taylor said after the bout. "That was the difference. I needed to score on those two occasions."

Taylor and Sadulaev went to the warm-up hall but the former sat for more than 45 minutes in silence. He finally broke his silence and talked to the United States coaches after his leg attacks. After spending 30 more minutes gathering his thoughts, Taylor packed his bags and left.

On the training mats, Ghasempour and Sadulaev jogged before cooling down after their bouts. If both continue to win, they are expected to meet in the semifinals.

The match will be rather important for Taylor as well. He will hope for a Sadulaev win which will give him the chance to wrestle for the bronze medal.

"I expect him to make the finals and come back tomorrow," Taylor said. "I need to wrestle better that is my focus for now."

If he does wrestle Thursday, fans will only be treated to another blockbuster. A Ghasemoour-Taylor bout. The only downside will be that one will go home empty-handed.