Curtain-raiser Zagreb Open offers strong competition

Monday, January 30, 2023 - 12:38 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (January 26) -- If you are wondering what wrestling will offer this year, Zagreb Open is a perfect curtain-raiser in a year that will see the Olympic quota offering World Championships in September.

Close to 550 wrestlers are entered for the season-opening Ranking Series event with Olympic, world and continental medalists gearing up for the all-important event in September.

Freestyle will see multiple stars take the mat and Haji ALIYEV (AZE), Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI), Hassan YAZDANI (IRI), Jden COX (USA), Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) are there to name a few.

The biggest match-up of the tournament can be world champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) facing J'den COX (USA) at 97kg. Cox is a two-time world champion at 92kg and is jumping up a weight class as he prepares to represent the USA at 97kg, a weight class long taken by Snyder.

In other weight classes, a rematch between Aliyev and Muszukajev is on the cards at 65kg. The bout can end up becoming a thriller as Aliyev hopes to avenge his European Championships final's loss. Sebastian RIVERIA (PUR), SUJEET (IND) and Joseph MC KENNA (USA) are also entered.

The Olympic weight classes are packed with strong wrestlers as is the case in 74kg. Yones EMAMI (IRI) will be hoping to get a bout against two-time World Championships silver medalist Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK). Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE), Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) and Jason NOLF (USA) will be challenging them at the weight classes and hoping to pull off an upset or two.

Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI), who became the first Iranian to beat Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) last month at the World Cup, will wrestle at 79kg. A rematch with Burroughs would have been a treat for the fans but he will have to contend with Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) for now.

One of the biggest names in freestyle wrestling -- Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) -- is entered at 86kg and will be the main attraction. While the favorite to win the gold, he will have Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE), Myles AMINE (SMR), Boris MAKOEV (SVK), Zahid VALENCIA (USA) and Mark HALL (USA) challenging him throughout the bracket.

A big match at 92kg is between world bronze medalists Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) with Kollin MOORE (USA) also in the fray to secure the top medal.

Zare will look to forget the heartbreaking loss at the World Championships semifinals and start the season on a bang in Zagreb. He will have little challenge but Robert BARAN (POL) and Hayden ZILLMER (USA) can be the dark horses.

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) celebrates her first ever win over Mariya STADNIK (AZE) back in 2018. (Photo: UWW / Max Rose Fyne)

Women’s Wrestling

Now that Japan is returning to Ranking Series events, most teams will get a taste of what to expect at the World Championships. The team last competed at the 2018 Klippan Lady Open where Yui SUSAKI (JPN) first defeated Mariya STADNIK (AZE).

Susaki will now be returning for her second-ever event and she will see Stadnik. Both are entered at 50kg and are expected to meet in the final if not earlier.

Susaki has, since the Tokyo Olympics, won her third world title and added a U23 world gold as well while Standik will be returning to the mat for the first time after the Tokyo Games apart from one appearance at the Islamic Solidarity Games.

China is sending a big squad with three wrestlers in most weight classes and it is a team that can spring any surprise on a given day.

Even at 53kg, the field has three athletes from China and Canada while former European champion from Russian Wrestling Federation Stalvira ORSHUSH (HUN) will now be wrestling for Hungary. But it's the return of 2021 world champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) will be the biggest positive for Japan. She missed the international season after the Asian Championships in Mongolia but will be back for the Ranking Series event.

World champion in 2022 Dominique PARRISH (USA) is also entered in the field and a bout against Fujinami will be a big test for the USA wrestler.

Helen MAROULIS (USA) will be the favorite to win the 57kg weight class but with Ningning RONG (CHN), Sae NANJO (JPN), Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) and Anhelina LYSAK (POL) also entered, it won't be a cakewalk.

Maroulis suffered a loss in the World Championships final to Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) but she lost to Nanjo at the Emperor's Cup to lose her first spot in the Japan team. Maroulis has a win over Nanjo at the 2021 World Championships.

Nichita, the world champion at 59kg, will be moving down to 57kg as she begins her preparation to qualify for a second straight Olympic Games later this year. She failed to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

A few wrestlers have moved to 62kg as well. Grace BULLEN (NOR), who was second to Nichita at 59kg, will debut at 62kg. Also changing the weight class are Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), Jia LONG (CHN) and Viktoria VESSO (EST).

In a packed weight class, Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), Kayla MIRACLE (USA), Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) and Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) are all contenders for the gold medal.

But one name that can surprise all is Sakura MOTOKI (JPN). The bronze medalist at 59kg moved up to 62kg at the Emperor's Cup and defeated world champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) to secure her spot on the team.

Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), Fend ZHOU (CHN) and Irina RINGACI (MDA) are the big names at 68kg with both European wrestlers still trying to adjust to the weight class while Zhou is a veteran of the weight.

Samar HAMZA (EGY), Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), Yelena MAKOYED (USA) and Dymond GUILFORD (USA) make the 76kg weight class a must-watch. Throw in Ayano MORO (JPN) and the weight becomes more interesting.

Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) defeated Seyed SOHRABI (IRI) at the Greco-Roman World Cup. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Greco-Roman

The Olympic weight classes saw a number of entries but the non-Olympic weight classes are no less in Greco-Roman.

A much-awaited rematch between Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) and Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) can come at 55kg. Both Iran and Azerbaijan are bringing strong squads for the tournament.

At 60kg, Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) and Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) will represent the country while Iran has Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) and Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI). It may well be that the four end up winning the four medals.

Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) will have a chance to make his head-to-head record against Seyed SOHRABI (IRI) two each after winning their last bout at the World Cup in Baku. That loss must be hurting Shorabi as he had defeated Jafarov on two previous occasions.

Apart from the two youngsters, another young star Abror ATABAEV (UZB) is hoping to make a mark in Zagreb. Also entered at 67kg is Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB) who has jumped from 60kg to 67kg in one year.

A lot of action can be expected at 77kg as Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) and Yunus BASAR (TUR) give a glimpse of the European Championships.

Iran is sending Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) in a bid to test his ability as the aging warrior tries to regain his lost glory.

Both Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) and Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) wrestled in an epic World Championships final at 82kg but both are moving up to 87kg and will make their debuts in Zagreb. Islam ABBASOV (AZE) will be returning after a long injury lay-off which kept him out of the World Championships as well. World silver medalist Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), Istvan TAKACS (HUN), Tamas LEVAI (HUN) and Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) are also entered.

Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE), Kiril MILOV (BUL), Alex SZOKE (HUN), Tadeusz MICHALIK (POL) and Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) make the 97kg weight class another interesting watch.

At 130kg, Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) will be appearing for Cuba and moving closer to the World Championships in which he will try to qualify for the Paris Olympics. If four-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) does return for the Paris Games, Pino will have the option of qualifying in freestyle.

In Zagreb, he will be tested by Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), former world champion Aliakbar YOUSOFI (IRI) and world bronze medalist Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU).

#WrestleBratislava

Olympic champ Novikov sets up Paris rematch with Losonczi

Friday, April 11, 2025 - 08:55 By Vinay Siwach

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 11) -- Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) had to make three comebacks in three bouts to reach the European Championships final.

Novikov was up against Islam ABBASOV (AZE) in the semifinal and got the par terre advantage first. He scored a gut-wrench to lead 3-0. Abbasov got the chance in the second period and scored exposure with reverse lock. Novikov blocked Abbasov after the exposure and got the one point for reversal and keep the lead 4-3. A late stepout made it 5-3 for Novikov.

In a rematch of the Paris Olympic semifinal, Novikov will face world champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) who defeated defending champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) in the other semifinal. Losonczi hit a perfect suplex for four points to win 5-1 against Komarov.

Armenia and Turkiye were the most successful countries of the semifinals session as they had two finalists each. Armenia had Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) and Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) while Turkiye put Kerem KAMAL (TUR) and Hamza BAKIR (TUR).

Kamal, who won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series, entered his fourth European Championships with an inspiring performance in which he defeated former champion Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-4.

He will face Aslanyan for the gold medal after he made it to his first-ever final after he scored a takedown four-pointer and a turn to beat Andrii SEMENCHUK (UKR), 8-0.

Bakir made sure a Turkish wrestler was in the final of 130kg after he defeated Jello KRAHMER (GER) 3-2 in the semifinal. Bakir made a turn from par terre to lead 3-0. Krahmer hit a takedown in the final seconds of the bout but time ran out for any further action.

Bakir will take on defending champion Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) who pinned Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) in the other semifinal.

In an entertaining 77kg semifinal, Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) earned his first trip to the European Championships final after he defeated Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE) 10-2.

Zoidze scored a takedown before hitting a headlock throw to get a fall. But Olofsson defended and reversed the positions to get two points. Zoidze escaped and had Olofsson in danger again for two points and the scramble ended with Zoidze leading 8-2. Sweden challenged the scoring and lost a point for the lost challenge.

A stepout finished the bout and Zoidze booked a face-off with four-time European champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) who defeated Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 5-1, in the other semifinal of 77kg. Amoyan got the first par terre advantage and he scored two turns to lead 5-1. Mnatsakanian never got off to a start despite getting two par terre.

In the 55kg final, four-time world and two-time European champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) will take on Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) for the gold medal.

Azizli defeated Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM) after scoring two exposures from front locks and defended his par terre position to win 5-1.

Sefershaev defeated defending champion Artiom DELEANU (MDA), 4-1, in the other semifinal.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) vs. Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW)

SF 1: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 5-1
SF 2: Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) df. Artiom DELEANU (MDA), 4-1

63kg
GOLD: Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) vs. Kerem KAMAL (TUR)

SF 1: Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) df. Andrii SEMENCHUK (UKR), 8-0
SF 2: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-4

77kg
GOLD: Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) vs. Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) df. Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE), 10-2
SF 2: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 5-1

87kg
GOLD: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) vs. David LOSONCZI (HUN)

SF 1: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 5-3
SF 2: David LOSONCZI (HUN) df. Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB), 5-1

130kg
GOLD: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) vs. Hamza BAKIR (TUR)

SF 1: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) df. Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW), via fall
SF 2: Hamza BAKIR (TUR) df. Jello KRAHMER (GER), 3-2

Morning session qualification results and blog follows below

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 RESULTS

13:48: In the final match of the session, David LOSONCZI (HUN) makes sure he secures his place in the semifinals in 87kg. He defeated Hannes WAGNER (GER) 2-1 to enter the semifinal. Wagner got the first par terre advantage but Losonczi scored a stepout. However, according to the new rule, Wagner held the criteria advantage as the score was 1-1. But Losonczi gets the second par terre and wins 2-1

13:42: Defending 87kg champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) with a turn from par terre to lead 3-1 against Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW). He tries to defend the lead but Alirzaev scores a stepout to make it 3-2. Another stepout for Alirzaev with 45 seconds remaining to make it 3-3 but Komarov leads on criteria for the turn. Komarov defends the 3-3 lead and enters the semifinal. Alirzaev challenges for a finger grabbing foul but he loses the challenge and Komarov wins 4-3.

13:35: Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) with a second come-from-behind victory at 87kg. He fell behind 3-1 after European silver medalist Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) blocked him during the turn which Novikov challenged and lost. Novikov began the second period with a pushout to cut the lead to 3-2. He gets the second par terre as well to make it 3-3 but Filchakov who still leads on criteria. With time running out, Novikov is desperate and he tried a double-arm lock on which Filchakov tried to evade and stepped in the danger zone and Novikov scored a stepout to win 4-3. Filchakov challenges but no change in decision as Olympic champion Novikov wins 5-3.

13:22: If you watched Mat A and wonder why Jello KRAHMER (GER) won against Heiki NABI (EST) despite getting the first par terre advantage and not the second, it is because UWW is testing a new rule change that if the Greco-Roman bout ends 1-1, the wrestler with first point will win on criteria. That is only for 1-1 bouts.

13:00: Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) with a big 6-1 win over Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) in the 77kg quarterfinals. Levai got the third passivity and as he tiring to headpinch Mnatsakanian, he failed to move his leg and got thrown for two points and then put his hand on Mnatsakanian's face to be docked two more points. Levai challenged the call but lost and Mnatsakanian won 6-1.

12:48: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) with four reverse lift throws after getting par terre to beat world U23 champion at 63kg Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA). He moves into the semifinals.

12:42: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) counters Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) when the Georgian scored a turn from par terre and then scored a stepout to lead 5-3. Bolkvadze challenges the call but he is docked a point for fleeing as well. He goes down 6-3 to Alirzaev at 87kg

12:30: Islam ABBASOV (AZE) with two takedowns against Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) to post a 4-1 win and advance at 87kg. Azerbaijan is gunning for that team title in Greco-Roman after it won it in Freestyle.

12:28: Defending champion at 87kg Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) streamrolls Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR) 9-0 and moves into the quarterfinals.

12:22: Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) got turned from par terre and fell 3-0 behind against Karen KHACHATRYAN (ARM) but he answers with six points in the second period and wins 6-3 at 87kg

12:15: Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR) hangs on for a 2-1 win over Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) at 77kg. Big result for Yilmaz and Turkiye at the European Championships.

12:10: Defending champion and Paris Olympic bronze medalist Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) stuns with two back-to-back four points throws to win 9-0 against Mateusz BERNATEK (POL) at 77kg.

12:05: Big match at 77kg as World silver medalist Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) takes on Sergei STEPANOV (UWW) who won the Zagreb Ranking Series in January. Levai with a counter four-pointer to start off the bout. Stepanov tried locking Levai but failed to lock his hands behind Levai who threw him on the mat for four. A stepout made it 5-0 at the break for Levai. There is no more scoring action or any par terre decisions and Levai beats Stepanov 5-0 to move into the quarterfinals.

11:45: Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) pins Apostolos TSIOVOLOS (GRE) at 130kg. While two-time Olympic medalist Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) is the favorite at 130kg, their are others who can upset him.

11:40: Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) pins European U23 champion Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) at 130kg. Kandelaki with two head throws which shocked Vysgnyvetskyi

11:35: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW), the defending champion at 130kg, with a 6-0 win over Darius VITEK (HUN) to begin his title defense. Semenov denied Riza KAYAALP (TUR) his historic 13th European title last year which would have put him ahead of Aleksandr KARELIN.

11:30: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) opens his European Championships with a 6-0 win over Tino OJALA (FIN) at 63kg. Kamal won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series gold at 63kg and has new-found motivation.

11:20: Hannes WAGNER (GER) rolls to a 10-0 technical superiority win over Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE (GEO) in the opening round at 77kg. Karchaidze was hoping to build on his European U23 silver medal but falls at the first step

11:00: Mairbek SALIMOV (POL) with the first big move of the day with a flowing suplex over Dinislam BAMMATOV (UWW) for a 9-0 win at 63kg.

10:30: Greco-Roman will begin at the European Championships with five weight classes. The morning session will run with it and semifinals at 16:45. Women's Wrestling medal bouts will be at 18:00.

Curtain-raiser Zagreb Open offers strong competition

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Olympic champ Novikov sets up Paris rematch with Losonczi