#WrestleZagreb

European Championships Greco-Roman preview

Wednesday, April 5, 2023 - 17:48 By Jimmy Pawelski

Share this article

ZAGREB, Croatia (April 6) — Greco-Roman wrestling has a long-standing history at the European Championships since the tournament’s inception in 1898, being the second-longest running tournament in history, only behind the Olympic Games. That legacy will continue in Zagreb, Croatia, as the 2023 European Championships are scheduled to take place April 17-23. 

Greco-Roman wrestlers will close out the tournament on the last three days of competition with the following schedule: 

55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg and 130kg 

  •  April 21 - 13:00 local time: Qualification rounds
  • April 21 - 7:00 local time: Semi-finals
  • April 22 - 14:30 local time: Repechages
  • April 22 - 19:30 local time: Finals

60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg and 97kg

  • April 22 - 13:00 local time: Qualification rounds
  • April 22 - 17:00 local time: Semi-finals
  • April 23 - 15:30 local time: Repechages
  • April 23 - 17:15 local time: Finals
     

Even more Greco-Roman history may be made at the 2023 European Wrestling Championships as Riza KAYAALP (TUR) will be attempting to win his 12th European title, which would tie the most-decorated Greco-Roman wrestler of all-time, Aleksandr KARELIN (RUS), for the most European titles. 

Statistically, a remarkable 40% of reigning 2022 Greco-Roman world champions and all 10 returning 2022 European champions will seek to defend their titles in this year’s tournament. From a team-race perspective, Azerbaijan will aim to repeat their 2022 European Championships first-place finish after placing second at the 2022 World Championships behind Turkey, who was last year’s European Championships second-place finishing team.

Weight-by-Weight Preview

55kg
The returning gold, silver and bronze medalists of the 2022 European Championships will all be back to compete in this year’s 55kg bracket. The bracket will feature world No. 1 and No. 2, Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) and Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO), who faced off in last year's world and European finals. 

Azizli won that match over Tsurtsumia, and all of his 2022 World Championships matches, by way of technical superiority. 

Meanwhile, Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM) will seek revenge over Azili after losing to him 7-3 at last year’s European Championships and ultimately placing third.

60kg
The 60kg bracket also features three returning 2022 European Championships medalists, including returning finalists Kerem KAMAL (TUR) and Edmond Armen NAZARYAN (BUL). Despite a 5-0 decision loss to Kamal in the European finals last year, Nazaryen ultimately placed second at the 2022 World Championships, while Kamal failed to reach the podium. 

Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM), a 2020 European champion and last year’s bronze medalist, will be wrestling for his third total podium finish. 

63kg 
In a deep 63kg bracket, No. 1 ranked reigning European champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) leads the way. The Georgian ultimately placed second at the 2022 World Championships behind Sebastian NAD (SRB), who is bumping up to the Olympic weight of 67kg this season.

Abuladze’s key challengers include No. 3 ranked returning world bronze medalist Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) and 2021 world champion at 60kg Victor CIOBANU (MDA).

Both returning European bronze medalists are also registered to compete, Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR) and No. 5 ranked Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM), who fell just one match short of placing at last year’s world and European Championships. 

67kg
All four 2022 European Championships medalists at 67kg are registered to compete in this year’s tournament: Murat FIRAT (TUR), Krisztian Istvan VANCZA (HUN), Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM), and Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), who is the only returning world medalist of the group. 

It’s only one of two weight classes that returns all four medalists. 

What’s unique about 67kg is that the highest-ranked wrestler currently isn’t included on the list above. Fourth-ranked Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) holds that claim, as he’s coming off a top-5 finish at the 2022 World Championships. 

Notably, No. 1 ranked Mate NEMES (SRB), the weight’s reigning world champion from Serbia, will wrestle off the aforementioned Nad before the European Championships for the starting spot at the Olympic weight.

72kg
The 72kg bracket features six total wrestlers ranked in the world's top 10. 

Ali ARSALAN (SRB) is the headliner at 72kg. The Iranian transfer is one of the Serbian Fab Four who shocked the wrestling world en route to winning world titles a year ago in Belgrade. He’ll be looking to improve on his bronze-medal finish from last year’s European Championships, where he fell to eventual champion Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN).

Returning world silver and bronze medalists, respectively, No. 3 Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) and No. 2 Selcuk CAN (TUR), will also be in action.

Despite not reaching the podium at the worlds, 2022 European champion and current No. 6, Fritsch, will seek to defend his continental title at this year’s tournament. 

Other wrestlers ranked in the top 10 include No.4 Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) and No. 5 Valentin PETIC (MDA). 

77kg 
The depth of world champion contenders representing Europe is clear at 77kg. 

As the only other weight with all four returning 2022 European Championships medalists, the bracket also features No. 1 Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), who didn’t place at last year’s tournament but earned a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships. It's also highlighted by returning 2022 European finalists No. 3 Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) and No. 4 Yunus Emre BASAR (TUR), who each ultimately earned bronze medals at worlds.

Other contenders include Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) and Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), who are each returning European bronze medalists.

82kg 
Reigning world champion and No. 1 ranked Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) is the star to watch in the 82kg bracket. 

However, his road to win his first European gold will be bumpy as the bracket also contains three additional wrestlers ranked in the top six at 82kg. 

Though they each fell one match short of claiming a medal at worlds, world and European champion Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) and silver-medalist Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) will attempt to repeat as medalists this year. 

Meanwhile, Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR), who upended Bolkvadze for world bronze in 2022, will aim for his first podium finish at the European Championships. 

87kg
Multiple-time world champion and Tokyo Olympics champion Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) was set to return to the Continental Championships for the first time in two years, but decided to forfeit his starting spot to Artem MATIASH (UKR) after saying he did not feel ready to compete in Croatia.

Without Beleniuk, the bracket also features three 2022 world medalists and three 2022 European Championships medalists. Top-ranked Turpal Ali BISULTANOV (DEN) is the prevailing European champion and placed second-place finisher at worlds a season behind Serbia’s Zurabi DATUNASHVILI, the two-time world champ, who was a late entry into the field.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old rising star David LOSONCZI (HUN) will make his senior European Championships debut after placing third at senior worlds in 2022. 

The other returning world bronze medalist, No. 3 Ali CENGIZ (TUR), will also be competing. 

Other notable contenders include returning European Championships medalists Nicu OJOG (ROU) and Islam ABBASOV (AZE), who missed the 2022 World Cup after undergoing shoulder surgery. 

97kg
In the bracket with the most registrations (21), the world No. 1 and No. 2 ranked wrestlers at 97kg control the spotlight. 

Reigning European champion Kiril Milenov MILOV (BUL) will seek revenge from his World Championships loss against Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM). 

Aleksanyan, who didn’t compete in last year’s European Championships, will look to add his sixth European Championships title to his resume in addition to being a four-time world champion, Rio Olympic gold medalist and Tokyo Olympic silver medalist. 

Also in contention are 2022 world bronze medalist Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE), returning European bronze medalist Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) and No. 7 Giorgi MELIA (GEO).

130kg 
All eyes will be following reigning world champion Riza Kayaalp, as he’ll be competing in Zagreb to win his 12th European title. If he’s able to accomplish such a feat, his title will tie arguably the Greco-Roman G.O.A.T, Aleksandr Karelin, for the most European Championships of all time. 

He’ll face stiff competition with both returning world bronze medalists registered to compete, current No. 1 ranked Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU) and No. 4 Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU). 

Additionally, returning European medalists Danila SOTNIKOV (ITA) and Dariusz Attila VITEK (HUN) will also be taking the mat at heavyweight.

How to Follow Along
Fans can follow the action every throw of the way on United World Wrestling's mobile app or www.uww.org. Download #TheHomeOfWrestling, United World Wrestling's mobile app today to access real-time match center data, get regular updates on tournaments and receive all the latest wrestling news in a flash.

#WrestleSamokov

U20 World Championships 2025 Day 2 Live Blog

Monday, August 18, 2025 - 07:13 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 18) -- The U20 World Championships enter the second day with four more Freestyle weight classes -- 57kg, 65kg, 79kg and 92kg. The competition began Sunday, read the recap here.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 1 RESULTS

The semifinals will begin at 17:00 hours

14:18: Anar JAFARLI (AZE) with a huge four-pointer to trip SACHIN (IND) and then uses a high gut to finish the 92kg quarterfinal 10-0.

14:15: Sumit MALIK (IND) denies Vasif BAGHIROV (AZE) a semifinal place at 57kg. Malik with a four-pointer in his 9-2 win as Baghirov could not match the pace. 

14:06: Another Yamanashi Gaikun University wrestler Reiji UCHIDA (JPN) on the rise! Uchida locks Sanjarbek RUSTAMBEKOV (UZB) in a leg lace and finishes the match 11-0 to reach the 65kg semifinals.

14:02: Luke STANICH (USA) is into the semifinals at 65kg! He hangs on for a 3-3 criteria win over Alessandro NINI (ITA) after scoring a takedown which was latest action in the match. Incidentally, both Stanich and Nini were born in New Jersey and train 100 kilometres from each other -- Stanich at Lehigh and Nini at Rutgers

13:55: European U20 champion Davit TCHETCHELASHVILI (GEO) built a 3-0 lead but William HENCKEL (USA) bounces back with two takedowns to lead 4-3 at the break in their 79kg quarterfinal. Henckel gets a stepout in the second period to extend his lead to 5-3 while defending those attempted duckunders. Tchetchelashvili hits a takedown to lead 5-5 on criteria with 1:50 left in the match. Henckel hits a takedown to reclaim the lead 7-5 with a minute left in the match. A double-leg from Henckel as he gets two and a turn for a fall gives two more points to make his lead 11-5. Henchkel downs Tchetchelashvili 11-5.

13:40: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) downs defending 79kg champion Alp Arsalan BEGENJOV (TKM) 6-4, avenging his 10-0 loss to the Turkmenistan wrestler from last year. Begenjov had a 1-1 criteria lead after a stepout but Yousefi scored a stepout and Begenjov called for a medical timeout. With a 2-1 lead for Yousefi, the bout restarted in par terre and the Iranian managed to turn Begenjov for two points to lead 4-1 with 1:53 left in the match. Yousefi then stopped a duckunder and scored a takedown but Begenjov managed a takedown to make it 6-3. Yousefi was fleeing during that attack for which he was cautioned and bout restarted in par terre with 6-4 lead for Yousefi. Begenjov failed to turn Yousefi from par terre, ending his title defense.

13:25: World U17 champion Vasif BAGHIROV (AZE) has reached the quarterfinal at 57kg as he looks to add a U20 world title to his name. He will face Sumit MALIK (IND).

13:15: Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ) launched Connor MIRASOLA (USA) for a counter chest wrap four-pointer and then adds couple of stepouts to lead 6-1. Mirasola comes out on top in one of the scrambles to make it 6-3 with a minute left in the bout. Kurugliyev with a stepout and Mirasola with a takedown but the Kazakh returning bronze medalist wins 7-5 and advances to the 92kg quarterfinals.

13:00: Nurdanat AITANOV (KAZ), Asian U20 silver medalist, runs off to a 14-3 technical superiority win over Anthony KNOX (USA) at 57kg to enter the quarterfinals. 

12:55: Sumit MALIK (IND) pulls off a last-second victory over Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN), who will be at 57kg for the senior World Championships as well for Japan. Malik was down 10-1 but somehow mounted a comeback in the second period with a four-pointer and a takedown to make it 10-7. He scored another takedown to score 10-9 with 7 seconds left. Sakamoto wins but India challenge for a singlet-foul which on review is confirmed and a 10-10 win for Malik.

12:40: Aliasghar TATHASHTIKEH (IRI) managed to come within one point distance of Amal DZHANDUBAEV (UWW) in the 65kg bout but goes down 10-9. Dzhandubaev, the European U20 champion, led comfortably before his conditioning struggles became evident. Three takedowns for Tathashtikeh to make it 10-8 with 20 seconds left on the clock but the Iranian managed only a stepout.

12:20: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) with a fall over Narek NIKOGHOSYAN (ARM) at 79kg after building an 8-0 lead. On Mat C, defending champion at 79kg Alp Arsalan BEGENJOV (TKM) with two big moves to win 11-0 against Gan Erdene BAATARKHUU (MGL)

12:10: Yerkhan ABIL (KAZ) is too much for returning bronze medalist at 79kg Leandro ARAUJO (BRA) as the Kazakh wrestler wins 6-0. Totally shut down Araujo in that bout.

12:05: European U20 champion Davit TCHETCHELASHVILI (GEO) pins Antoni MAJCHRZAK (POL) on the mat after a four-pointer and gets the victory via fall.

12:00: In a thrilling repechage bout, returning silver medalist Ladarion LOCKETT (USA) scores a takedown with 3 seconds left to beat European U20 champion Manuel WAGIN (GER) at 74kg. Wagin hit a front headlock four-point throw to lead 5-4 but Lockett somehow managed to overturn the result of a heated bout.

11:40: Anthony KNOX (USA), wrestling internationally for the first time, doesn't waste much time and beats Mykola BRATOV (UKR) via technical superiority at 57kg.

11:30: Anar JAFARLI (AZE) hangs on for a 3-2 win against Orazmuhammet HOJALYYEV (TKM) at 92kg. Tough match for Jafarli, a returning bronze medalist.

11:25: Magomed OZDAMIROV (UWW) with a beautiful arm-throw against Arshia HADDADI (IRI) for four points. Haddadi could never recover and loses his first bout at 57kg 6-1. 

11:15: Viktor BOROHAN (UKR) with a four-pointer to take the lead 4-4 on criteria against ASHWANI (IND) and win at 65kg. The European U20 silver medalist over Asian U20 silver medalist

11:10: Leg lace is what Amal DZHANDUBAEV (UWW) gets to win his first bout at 65kg against Agha GASIMOV (AZE). Dzhandubaev is the European U20 and U23 champion this year.

11:05: Returning 79kg bronze medalist Mohammad YOUSEFI (IRI) warms up with a 10-0 win over Ion MARCU (MDA). Yousefi is a senior Asian champion this year.

11:00: Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR) comes out blazing with a takedown and then gut-wrenches Luke STANICH (USA) for an 8-0 lead. Toprak has some conditioning trouble and slowly feels the pressure of Stanich, who now has three takedowns to cut the lead to 8-6 with more than 2 minutes left in the bout. Stanich takedonw takedown to make it 8-8 and take the criteria lead. Toprak keeps going for Stanich's legs but the U.S. wrestler is quick to counter and score. He turns using a lace and now leads 16-8. He finishes with another takedown wins 18-8.

10:55: Muradkhan OMAROV (AZE), who won a silver medal at the European U20 Championships, had a slow start against David KODAKOV GIL (ESP) at 79kg but then jumps to a 9-2 lead as Kodakov Gil was seemingly passive. Omarov wins 9-2 and advances at 79kg

10:40: Defending 79kg champion Alp Arsalan BEGENJOV (TKM) starts off with a technical superiority win over Ivan ANDONOV (BUL). Begenjov gets on the scored with an activity point and then scores a takedown and turn to lead 5-0 at the break. He then counters with two chest wrap throws for four points to win 11-0.

10:35: Pan-Am U20 champion William HENCKEL (USA) raced to 5-0 lead against Maksat TABYLDYEV (KGZ) gets a few points back. Henckel, however, manages to hang on for a 8-5 win at 79kg. 

10:30: European U20 champion Davit TCHETCHELASHVILI (GEO) and Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) in a back-and-forth bout at 79kg. But Tchetchelashvili manages to score every time Gharehdaghi scores. Eventually, the Georgian manages to win 12-8.

10:00: The day will start with the repechage from Sunday's weight classes and then move to qualifications of today's weights beginning with 79kg.