#Grappling

Genge strikes double gold for Great Britain at U20 World Grappling Championships

Friday, October 11, 2024 - 16:18 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (October 10) -- Great Britain has not participated in the World Grappling Championships for the last 16 years. But Elizabeth GENGE (GBR) ended that trend and won double gold at the U20 World Grappling Championships in Astana.

Genge won gold medals in the 64kg weight class, both via submission. In Grappling, she defeated Adrianna MAZUR (POL) via submission, and in Grappling Gi, she defeated Veronika KARAKHONOVA (AIN) in the final.

Participating in her first Grappling World Championships, the 20-year-old Genge won all her bouts in two competitions via submission. Only Veronika KARAKHONOVA (AIN) could hold Genge to a decision victory.

Genge is the British champion in wrestling and has participated in the Faltz Open as well, finishing fifth this year.

Overall, Kazakhstan emerged as the best team in the U20 World Grappling Championships. Like the U17 event, Kazakhstan won all bout team titles -- two in men's and two in women's. 

RESULTS

Men's U20 Grappling Gi

58kg
GOLD: Iskander YULDASHEV (KAZ) df. Sargis VIRABYAN (ARM), via submission (2-2)

BRONZE: Bohdan CHORNEI (UKR) df. Alikhan KHAIRLIYEV (KAZ), 3-2
BRONZE: Ilia ABRAMENKO (AIN) df. Daniel GONZALEZ (ESP), 5-2

62kg
GOLD: Bekzat KAZTAYEV (KAZ) df. Emil VERDIYEV (AZE), 5-0

BRONZE: Magomed IUSUPOV (AIN) df. Wassim CHAINE (FRA), 4-4
BRONZE: Andrii TSVYK (UKR) df. Javier FRANCO (ESP), via submission (2-2)

66kg
GOLD: Nursultan KUSHTARBEK UULU (KGZ) df. Mani GRIMAUDO (FRA), 8-2

BRONZE: Vincenzo BUSSOLOTTI (ESP) df. Gafur UZHAKHOV (KAZ), 3-3
BRONZE: Nurassyl TURUSPEKOV (KAZ) df. Tigran GHAZAKHYAN (ARM), via submission (5-2)

71kg
GOLD: Said ZAIPULAEV (AIN) df. Elman ASGAROV (AZE), 7-5

BRONZE: Maksim KURZHONKOV (AIN) df. Vladyslav SIZOV (UKR), 13-7
BRONZE: Stefanos VAVILIS (GRE) df. Kacper GARCZYNSKI (POL), 5-2

77kg
GOLD: Natan SAP (POL) df. Denis SHELUKHANOV (AIN), via submission (0-2)

BRONZE: Suleiman MAMUTOV (UKR) df. Karim ADEM (FRA), 6-2
BRONZE: Imam AMAGAEV (AIN) df. Renat BOCHKARYOV (KAZ), 4-0

84kg
GOLD: Pawel JAWORSKI (POL) df. Dzhabrail ISRAPILOV (AIN), via submission (7-2)

BRONZE: Maxat TOLENDI (KAZ) df. Didar NURTASSOV (KAZ), via submission (2-0)
BRONZE: Arslan GADZHIEV (AIN) df. Lorinc NAGY (HUN), 2-0

92kg
GOLD: Stefan LOBODA (ROU) df. Aliiar NAGIEV (AIN), 2-1

BRONZE: Ilyas ABDULLAYEV (KAZ) df. Andrei LIASHKO (AIN), 0-0
BRONZE: Ivan POREMCHUK (UKR) df. Nurassyl UTEPOV (KAZ), via submission (0-2)

100kg
GOLD: Yevhenii MURADOV (UKR)
SILVER: Ibrahim MANARBEK (KAZ) 
BRONZE: Ruslan HRUSHEUSKI (AIN)

130kg
GOLD: Ivan BELIAEV (AIN)
SILVER: Arystan AITMOLDIN (KAZ)
BRONZE: Khalimalav BAZIKHOV (AIN)

Women's U20 Grappling Gi

49kg
GOLD: Zhibek KULUMBETOVA (KAZ) df. Yuliia ZASULSKA (UKR), via submission (0-2)

BRONZE: Arina ZHIGACHEVA (AIN) df. Gaukharay YERSEIIT (KAZ), 9-6

53kg
GOLD: Radomira OSTANINA (AIN)
SILVER: Zuzanna KOWALSKA (POL)
BRONZE: Evelina FLORIAK (UKR)

58kg
GOLD: Nuraiym MUNAITBAS (KAZ) df. Alva PANNWITZ (GER), via submission (2-0)

BRONZE: Nuraiym RUSLANBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Ailin SANTANA (ESP), 7-3
BRONZE: Maria BARNA (POL) df. Aruzhan MARATOVA (KAZ), via submission (10-2)

64kg
GOLD: Elizabeth GENGE (GBR) df. Adrianna MAZUR (POL), via submission (7-0)

BRONZE: Veronika KARAKHONOVA (AIN) df. Raushan ABDIGAZY (KAZ), via submission (9-0) 

71kg
GOLD: Aleksandra PLEMIASHOVA (AIN)
SILVER: Yerkezhan YERLANOVA (KAZ)
BRONZE: Maja SALAMON (POL)

90kg
GOLD: Vlada BOIAKHCHIEVA (AIN) df. Hanifa EIVAZI (IRI), 19-2

Men's U20 Grappling

58kg
GOLD: Sargis VIRABYAN (ARM) df. Ilia ABRAMENKO (AIN), via submission (4-2)

BRONZE: Illia SHTANKO (UKR) df. Sharah NADAKKAV (IND), via submission (2-0)
BRONZE: Bohdan CHORNEI (UKR) df. Bakdaulet AUYEZ (KAZ), 6-2

62kg
GOLD: Andrii TSVYK (UKR) df. Adil IKHLAZOV (FRA), via submission

BRONZE: Madiyar SERIKBAY (KAZ) df. Omar MEDZHIDOV (AIN), 3-0
BRONZE: Wassim CHAINE (FRA) df. Rakhat ZHAXYBAYEV (KAZ), via submission (2-1)

66kg
GOLD: Said ZAIPULAEV (AIN) df. Vincenzo BUSSOLOTTI (ESP), 6-1

BRONZE: Gafur UZHAKHOV (KAZ) df. Duta SETURIDZE (GEO), 10-2
BRONZE: Nursultan KUSHTARBEK UULU (KGZ) df. Tigran GHAZAKHYAN (ARM), via submission (11-0)

71kg
GOLD: Magomedrasul BOLOTSILAEV (AIN) df. Zhassulan ZHETPISBAY (KAZ), 6-0

BRONZE: Artem KHVAN (KAZ) df. Bilel BOULAMA (FRA), via submission (5-2)
BRONZE: Kacper GARCZYNSKI (POL) df. Ethan FORREZ (FRA), 6-4

77kg
GOLD: Daniil TSITSORIN (AIN) df. Andrii SOFRONII (UKR), 7-1

BRONZE: Ouassim ADREUACH (ESP) df. Ilyas SAIDULLAYEV (KAZ), 2-0
BRONZE: Natan SAP (POL) df. Doman VANCSIK (HUN), via submission

84kg
GOLD: Pawel JAWORSKI (POL) df. Dzhabrail ISRAPILOV (AIN), 9-4

BRONZE: Ilyas ABDULLAYEV (KAZ) df. Viktor SHEENKO (AIN), 5-4
BRONZE: Maxat TOLENDI (KAZ) df. Robert STOIAN (ROU), via submission (0-1)

92kg
GOLD: Alikhan TUFANOV (KAZ) df. Nikita BABAEV (AIN), 2-0

BRONZE: Stefan LOBODA (ROU) df. Patryk REKMAN (POL), 2-0
BRONZE: Ivan POREMCHUK (UKR) df. Andrei LIASHKO (AIN), 2-2

100kg
GOLD: Yevhenii MURADOV (UKR) df. Rodrigo BLANCO TERAN (ESP), 10-3

BRONZE: Dmitriy ROMANENKO (KAZ) df. Shyngyskhan TURSUNKHANOV (KAZ), 0-0 

130kg
GOLD: Arystan AITMOLDIN (KAZ)
SILVER: Ivan BELIAEV (AIN)
BRONZE: Dinmukhamed KUANGALIYEV (KAZ)

U20 Women's Grappling

49kg
GOLD: Zhibek KULUMBETOVA (KAZ) df. Yuliia ZASULSKA (UKR), via submission

BRONZE: Arina ZHIGACHEVA (AIN) df. Julia BELTRAN MARUENDA (ESP), 4-3

53kg
GOLD: Radomira OSTANINA (AIN)
SILVER: Zuzanna KOWALSKA (POL)
BRONZE: Evelina FLORIAK (UKR)

58kg
GOLD: Maria BARNA (POL) df. Nuraiym MUNAITBAS (KAZ), 10-8

BRONZE: Kenzhe UZBEKOVA (KAZ) df. Maya FLORIAN (ROU), 2-2
BRONZE: Varvara MASHKINA (AIN) df. Nuraiym RUSLANBEKOVA (KGZ), 6-2

64kg
GOLD: Elizabeth GENGE (GBR) df. Veronika KARAKHONOVA (AIN), via submission (11-0)

BRONZE: Adrianna MAZUR (POL) df. Victoria ISIDRO (ESP), via submission (8-0) 

71kg
GOLD: Aleksandra PLEMIASHOVA (AIN)
SILVER: Maja SALAMON (POL)
BRONZE: Yerkezhan YERLANOVA (KAZ)
 
90kg
GOLD: Vlada BOIAKHCHIEVA (AIN) df. Hanifa EIVAZI (IRI), 9-0

#WrestleZagreb

Yousofi wins gold in Zagreb to enter Iran's 130kg race

Sunday, February 9, 2025 - 19:32 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

ZAGREB, Croatia (February 9) -- Iran has selection headache at 130kg. But it's a good one to have.

With Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) and Fardin HEYDAYTI (IRI) already fighting for the spot, Aliakbar YOUSOFI (IRI) has thrown his hat in the process with gold medal at the Zagreb Open.

The 2021 world champion last competed internationally in the 2023 Budapest Ranking Series but returned as the new Olympic cycle began. And his first victim was European champion Sergey SEMENOV (AIN) who stunned Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in the 130kg final to win gold.

Yousofi defeated Sememnov 10-1 in the opening bout, stopped Koppany LASZLO (HUN) 6-1 and won 9-1 against Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE).

In the final, Yousofi was put in par terre first against Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN) tried the gut wrench but was blocked by Yousofi for two points. Then came the series of stepouts, a typical Iranian style of wrestling as Yousofi claimed a 9-1 victory the gold medal.

Iran's second gold medal came at 82kg as Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) defeated Erik SZILVASSY (HUN), 6-2, in the final. Szilvassy is a world silver medalist, having lost to Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) in the final in Tirana last year.

Farokhi was too much for Szilvassy who failed to keep up with the force of Farokhi and gave up stepouts as well.

But Iran would be disappointed at the results of 72kg as both Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) and Danial SOHRABI (IRI) lost to 19-year-old Levente LEVAI (HUN). Geraei suffered a loss in the semifinals while Sohrabi was stunned in the final by the teenager.

The final began in a very untraditional manner with Sohrabi getting cautioned for finger grabbing, which gave Levai a 2-0 lead. He was also put in par terre but Levai failed to score but still enjoyed a 3-0 lead.

Sohrabi came back with two stepouts and one point for par terre to make it 3-3 but he trailed on criteria as he was cautioned for two points early in the bout. Unaware of the criteria winner, Sohrabi was not in any attacking mode but with around a minute remaining, he realized that he is trailing on criteria.

A series of desperate attacks were made including one flying squirrel but Levai managed to defend all of them. Sohrabi asked for a challenge for the flying squirrel but no points were awarded on review, giving an extra point to Levai for lost challenge and a further cushion for victory.

In a weight class which had two world champions from Tirana, none finished on the podium. The 60kg weight class had Edlaniz AZIZLI (AZE) and Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) but both lost to the unheralded Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB) who in turn lost to U23 world champion and compatriot Alisher GANIEV (UZB) 9-0 in the semifinals.

From the other side of the bracket, Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) made it to the final against Ganiev who was leading 4-0 when a moment of brilliance from Tibilov changed it all.

In the second period of the match, Tibilov scissor jumped over Ganiev and the spun the Uzbek like a cartwheel for four points. The move gave Tibilov a 4-4 criteria lead and Uzbekistan challenged the call but lost to make the score 5-4. A second passivity further extended his lead to 6-4.

At 55kg, Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) denied Iran a gold medal, blanking Mahdi AHADI ZENAB (IRI), 6-0.

Sargsian beats Khaslakanau

Artur SARGSIAN (AIN) suffered a heartbreaking elbow injury at the World Championships in Belgrade in 2023. After more than a year of being away from action, Sargsian marked his return with a gold medal at 97kg. He defeated former U20 world champion and Paris Olympian Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN), 5-2, in the final.

Khaslakhanau was awarded the first par terre advantage of the final but he failed to score a point from that position. Soon, Sargsian launched a sag bodylock for four points which Khaslakhanau challenged for a leg four. But it was clean move from Sargsian who now led 5-1.

Khaslakhanau was giving another passivity advantage in the second period but he failed to score from that as well as Sargsian defended his 5-2 lead with ease.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) df. Mahdi AHADI ZENAB (IRI), 6-0

BRONZE: Brady KOONTZ (USA) df. Artium DELEANU (MDA), 9-1

60kg
GOLD: Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) df. Alisher GANIEV (UZB), 6-4

BRONZE: Sadyk LALAEV (AIN) df. Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB), 9-0
BRONZE: Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI) df. Huseyn GARIBOV (AZE), 9-1

72kg
GOLD: Levente LEVAI (HUN) df. Danial SOHRABI (IRI), 4-3

BRONZE: Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE) df. Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) df. Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE), via inj. def.

82kg
GOLD: Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) df Erik SZILVASSY (HUN), 6-2

BRONZE: Mihail BRADU (MDA) df. Karlo KODRIC (CRO), 2-1
BRONZE: Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) df. Vasile COJOC (ROU), 9-0

97kg
GOLD: Artur SARGSIAN (AIN) df. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN), 5-2

BRONZE: Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) df. Shayan HABIBZARE (IRI)
BRONZE: Alex SZOKE (HUN) df. Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN), 7-1

130kg
GOLD: Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN) Aliakbar YOUSOFI (IRI)

BRONZE: Marat KAMPAROV (AIN) df. Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), 3-2
BRONZE: Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Koppany LASZLO (HUN), via fall