#WrestleBudapest

Georgia Claim #WrestleBudapest GR Title Despite Two Kyrgyzstan Gold

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 25) --- Just like the freestyle and women's wrestling in Budapest, a new nation claimed the Greco-Roman team title for the first time. Georgia, which claimed two bronze medals on the final day of the cadet World Championships, won their first-ever team title in the history of the tournament.

The country did not have any finalists Sunday but it finished with two gold, a silver and three bronze medals to register with 141 points, the most among all the participants.

India had claimed their first-ever freestyle team title on Wednesday while USA won the women's team title on Friday, the first for them as well in the history of the tournament.

Ukraine finished in second position in Greco-Roman with two gold, two silver and a bronze medal, giving them 127 points. Defending champions Russia were third with 124 points that accumulated via two gold, two silver and a bronze medal.

Nuristan SUIORKULOV (KGZ)Nuristan SUIORKULOV (KGZ) won the gold at 51kg in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Though they finished fourth in the team title race, Kyrgyzstan won two gold medals Sunday as Nuristan SUIORKULOV (KGZ) and Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) won their weight classes.

Suiorkulov denied Yurii TOVT (UKR) the gold medal at 51kg as he won 3-1. This is the first time in five years that a Kyrgyzstan wrestler won the cadet Worlds. Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) had achieved this feat in 2016, becoming the second only for the country.

"I am so glad to become the world champion," Suiorkulov said. "I wasn't worried during they day. I thought I was going to win the match."

Tovt was warned for passivity in the first period which gave Suiorkulov the lead and he scored two more points from the par-terre position to lead 3-0 at the break. Suiorkulov, who was also at the 2019 Worlds, was also penalized for being passive but he defended the par-terre position and the lead to claim the gold medal 3-1.

"Since my World Championship in 2019, I was preparing well," he said. "We had some tough days. During the COVID, I kept training at home."

Asked how he took up the sport of wrestling, he said that his friends made him do wrestling but he has emerged to be the most successful one. "My friends made me start my wrestling training as we were going to the gym together," he said. "Thanks you, my friends! None of them achieve such results in wrestling though."

Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ)Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) celebrates after winning the 60kg world title in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 60kg, Beishekeev overcame Seyyedmostafa REZAEI DARYAKENARI (IRI) 4-1 in the final with ease. While it was the Iranian who led at the break 1-0 but Beishekeev scored four points in the second period for the win.

Rezaei Daryakenari was awarded the point for Beishekeev's passivity but failed to capitalize from the position. In the second period, the Iranian was called passive giving Beishekeev a 1-1 criteria lead. In the par terre position, Rezaei Daryakenari was called for fleeing and cautioned, added two more points to Beishekeev's score.

Iran challenged the call but the judges upheld the referee's decision. The added point for lost challenge made the score 4-1 for Beishekeev's score which remained till the clock expired. 

Another Iran wrestler was denied the gold medal as Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) defeated Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) 2-1 at the 71kg final. Solovei was leading on criteria 1-1 but was struggling to match the pace of Abdevali in the final few seconds.

Abdevali tried to score via stepout in the final three seconds but was not awarded by the referee. Iran coaches challenged the call, claiming there was a clear stepout but the judge withheld the referee's call after the replay, giving the Moldovan wrestler the win.

Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA)Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) is the world champion at 71kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

"Last time I lost to an Iran wrestler, but this time I was confident," Solovei said referring to his loss to Hojat REZAEI (IRI) at the 2019 cadet Worlds. "It's important to wrestle till the last second. Today I got the revenge. I am very happy to get the medal. I hope next year I'll get only the medals like this one."

Solovei has been training in wrestling for the last 10 years and aims to become the Olympic champion one day. "My father was a wrestler as well. He brought me to the sport when I was seven years old. Now I am training in the Olympic village and my biggest dream is to become an Olympic champion. Every day I am thinking only about that."

At 45kg, Ukraine added another gold after the one Saturday with cadet European silver medalist Nikita DEMENTIEV (UKR) denying Ozodbek KHALIMBOEV (UZB) at the 45kg weight. He snatched a close 2-1 win after scored a step out in the second period.

He was awarded passivity and led 1-0 but he failed to take advantage of the par terre position. In the seconds period, he scored a stepout with a minute and 18 seconds remaining to extend the lead to 2-0. Khalimboev was awarded point for Dementiev passivity with 34 seconds remaining. It was his chance to reverse the match but he failed to score any points on the par terre position.

Nikita DEMENTIEV (UKR)Nikita DEMENTIEV (UKR) celebrates after winning the 45kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

"I have been waiting for that belt and for this medal for so long." Dementiev said. "After the unsuccessful European Championships where I got the silver medal, I really wanted to become a champion."

Dementiev won the gold medal for Ukraine and said that while preparing for the final, he was trying to remain positive.

"I was thinking about how to make my parents and my coaches happy," he said. "I wanted to prove myself that I can win. My final match was a bit tough, but we made it. When I was in school, there were wrestling classes and I just decided to give it a try. Little be little I started training and now it's been 6 years."

It could have been two for them and the team title but 2021 cadet European champion Vladyslav LUB (UKR) suffered a shock defeat to cadet Euros bronze medalist Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (BLR).

Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (BLR)Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (BLR) avenged his cadet European loss to Vladyslav LUB (UKR) at the cadet Worlds on Sunday. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Lub's strategy for the 92kg final backfired when he was awarded the passivity in the first period. He thought he would be able to score from the par terre position but Khaslakhanau's defense proved to be too much.

On the other hand, the Belarusian scored a throw for two points from the par terre in the second period to avenge his loss from the cadet European tournament just a couple of months back.

"We have been working so hard to get this medal," Khaslakhanau, who began wrestling when he was in fifth grade, said. "But it's definitely worth it. I can't even describe my emotions, but believe me it's worth it."

In his preparation for the final, the Belarussian took some motivation from the ongoing Olympics in Tokyo to keep his mind off the match.

"I tried not to think about the match," he said. "We we walking and laughing together with the coach, we were watching the Olympics on TV. Then I just came here, and did what I was supposed to do."

Next week, he will cheering for the Belarus wrestling team as wrestling at Tokyo Olympics, which are already underway, begins from August 1. 

The cadet World Championships were the first Worlds to be held after 623 days, owing to the global health pandemic. Incidentally, the last World Championships – U23 – were also held in Budapest.

RESULTS GR Medal Bouts

45kg
GOLD: Nikita DEMENTIEV (UKR) df Ozodbek KHALIMBOEV (UZB), 2-1

BRONZE: Nurbolot BERDIKULOV (KGZ) df Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI), 8-0
BRONZE: Anri KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO) df Amare FETENE (ISR), 5-0

51kg
GOLD: Nuristan SUIORKULOV (KGZ) df Yurii TOVT (UKR), 3-1

BRONZE: Rahman KARIMOV (AZE) df Hayk LYUDVIGYAN (ARM), 7-1
BRONZE: Malik GIGIEV (RUS) df Beso MAKHARADZE (GEO), 9-1

60kg
GOLD: Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) df Seyyedmostafa REZAEI DARYAKENARI (IRI), 4-1

BRONZE: SUMIT (IND) df Bagdat SABAZ (KAZ), 8-0
BRONZE: Rati KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO) df Azizbek YOLDOSHEV (UZB), via fall

71kg
GOLD: Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) df Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI), 2-1

BRONZE: Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE) df Tornike MIKELADZE (GEO), 3-1
BRONZE: Dimitar RACHEV (BUL) df Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), 9-0

92kg
GOLD: Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (BLR) df Vladyslav LUB (UKR), 3-1

BRONZE: Timur CHERNYSHEV (RUS) df Javlon TIRKASHEV (UZB), 11-3
BRONZE: Ali JALALI ABDOLVAND (IRI) df Harutyun KIRAKOSYAN (ARM), via fall

#WrestleBudapest

USA Wins First WW Team Title; Georgia, Russia Dominate GR at #WrestleBudapest

By Vinay Siwach

Two days after India created history by winning its first-ever freestyle team title at cadet World Championships, USA finished at the top of the podium to win the women's team title for the first time in Budapest.

USA ended the tournament with three gold and four bronze medals to claim the title with 149 points, 10 more than second-placed India. Russia finished third with 134 points.

With top two teams from 2019 Worlds, Japan and China not entered at the tournament, it gave an opportunity for the other countries to rise and win the team title.

USA had three wrestlers competing for gold medals Friday and one for bronze. All four claimed their medals with much ease and dominance. India and Russia claimed the remaining two titles of the day as women's wrestling came to a close at the 2021 Worlds.

Fittingly, it was the gold medal of returning bronze medalist Amit ELOR (USA) that gave USA the title as she claimed her first world title. Wrestling against Yevheniia SIEDYKH (UKR) in the 69kg final, Elor once again showed her dominance and pinned her opponent in just a minute and 55 seconds, using her strength for takedowns and gut wrenches.

“It feels amazing to win,” Elor said. “I am grateful to the coaches and everyone who helped me reach this title.”

Elor spent a total of just three minutes and 38 seconds on the mat during the tournament with only the final going into the second minute of the bout. She will now be looking for her second world title in a month's time in Ufa, Russia.

“The final was good because I was feeling nervous before but I tried to remain cool and do what I know,” she said. “I will be going to the junior Worlds. I am going celebrate by training more for Ufa.”

But it was all started by Erica PASTORIZA (USA) who defeated Alexandra VOICULESCU (ROU) in the 40kg final with a first-period fall.

Leading 2-1, Pastoriza tripped her opponent for four points and then exposed her and kept the shoulder to the mat to claim the pin.

“I was nervous [before the final] but I handled it,” said the wrestler from Arizona. “I feel amazing and so proud of myself.”

Katie GOMEZ USAKatie GOMEZ (USA) won the 53kg gold in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 53kg, Katie GOMEZ (USA) continued her cruise as she defeated Natalia KHRAMENKOVA (RUS) 10-0 in the final with a minute and 22 seconds remaining.. She scored six points in the first period while the remaining four came in the second period.

“I was little nervous at the beginning but once I walked out on the mat I had the confidence that I can do it and I just wrestled,” Gomez said. “I will go home to my family and celebrate. I'll take some time off wrestling and then see.”

For India, returning world champion at 43kg, won the gold medal at 46kg to become a two-time world champion. She led Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE) 3-0 when the Azerbaijan wrestler tried a big throw, earning her two points.

But Komal kept her defence and composure to keep the one point lead. Komal when went for a double leg which Mammadova tried to roll over but failed, giving up four points in the process and the win to Komal.

“I am feeling great,” Komal said. “The final was normal. It was not the best or the worst. She was a little scared I think. I will eat a lot of food and sweets because I am so happy."

Viktoriia KHUSAINOVA (RUS) Viktoriia KHUSAINOVA (RUS) claimed the title at 61kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Russia claimed the gold medal at 61kg as Viktoriia KHUSAINOVA (RUS) defeated Sofi TENEVA (BUL) 6-0 in the final. The gold medal caps off a stunning tournament for the Russian as she outscored her opponents 31-0 in four bouts.

“I can’t even explain what I feel now. I have no words,” Khusainova said. “When I was on the mat, I was worried in the beginning but then it was easier.”

Russia coach Sergei BORDUGOVSKII (RUS) said that it was an emotional moment for his ward.

“She is very emotional now,” he said. “We have been training for 10 years. We have been training a lot to get this gold medal. We had injuries., losses and so on, but anyways we achieved what we wanted. So we are just super happy. The secret of such preparations is a will. The will to work hard and win.”

Georgia, Russia enter 3 GR finals

luka JAVAKHADZE (GEO)

Georgia and Russia enjoyed a successful day as Greco-Roman action began in Budapest. The two countries entered three wrestlers each in the five finals that were decided Friday.

Turkey, USA, Ukraine and Germany were the four other countries to enter one wrestler each to finish the line up for the finals.

At 48kg, Servet ANGI (TUR) avenged his cadet European Championships final defeat to Faraim MUSTAFAYEV (AZE). He defeated the Azerbaijan wrestler 4-1 in the quarterfinal before beating Otto BLACK (USA) 5-5 in the semifinal.

“It was hard for me as this is the World Championships,” 17-year-old Angi said. “I was confident despite not winning the challenge and I was fine. The support was good but 80 million people are behind me. I play for the flag.”

He will take on Luka JAVAKHADZE (GEO) who also claimed a criteria win in the semifinals over Yussuf ASHRAPOV 3-3.

Cory Daniel LAND (USA)

Two wrestlers – Cory LAND (USA) and Valerii MANGUTOV (RUS) -- who were at the 2019 Worlds in Sofia, reached the final at 55kg, up from 48kg two years back.

The two had contrasting semifinals as Mangutov sneaked past cadet Euros silver medalist Tamazi GLONTI (GEO) 4-3 while Land dominated Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ) 5-0.

While the two have not wrestled each other in the past, Mangutov said he will do everything to win the gold.

“The matches went well today, a bit tough,” the 16-year-old Mangutov said. “I have never seen his wrestling style. But I will prepare for my final as it is my last bout. We will see how it goes on the mat. No need to prepare in advance.”

A rematch from the 2021 cadet European Championships was set at 65kg as Imed KHUDZHADZE (UKR) beat Ankit GULIA (IND) 4-3 and Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) defeated Nihat KARA (TUR) 5-4 to reach the final.

The two had one-point victories over their semifinal opponents after dominating their way to the last four.

At 80kg, Kamaludin MAGOMEDOV (RUS) set up a clash against cadet European champion Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) in the final.

The Russian had a close semifinal against Hamza SERTCANLI (SWE) but came out on top 4-2 for the win.

Bolkvadze, who is yet to concede a point, scored a 8-0 technical superiority win over Joju SAMADOV (AZE). He will be looking to add the world title he missed in 2019.

“It was very tough today,” Bolkvadze said. “Thanks to God everything went well, and I’ll wrestle in the final match. The only thing that will make me feel satisfied is the gold medal.”

Daniil CHASOVNIKOV (RUS)

Another rematch from the 2021 cadet European Championships will be at 110 kg as Daniil CHASOVNIKOV (RUS) and Nikita OVSJANIKOV (GER) won their respective semifinals to set up the final.

The Russian won the gold medal at the continental level and will now to repeat that performance at the world level.

“[Today] was not an easy day for me,” Chasovnikov said. “The matches began well and now I concentrated for the semifinal match and won it. But I could have done even better. I can’t stop now. Tomorrow is the final and I have to win.”

He defeated Artur BOICHUK (UKR) 11- 0 in the semifinal and is now ready for the rematch against Ovsjanikov.

“I have wrestled against the German wrestler already in the European championships, I won 5-3,” he said. “I think he wants to take a revenge.”

No doubt that Ovsjanikov will like to avenge that loss from a month ago. He defeated Artur SARKISJAN (CZE) 4-0 in the semifinal.

Five more Greco-Roman weight categories will be in action apart from the medal bout of the finalists that were decided Friday.

RESULTS: WW Medal Bouts

40kg
GOLD: Erica PASTORIZA (USA) df Alexandra VOICULESCU (ROU), via fall

BRONZE: Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR) df Aizhan MURATBAY (KAZ), 8-0
BRONZE: Tana TIULIUSH (RUS) df. Elvina KARIMZADA (AZE), via fall

46kg
GOLD: KOMAL (IND) df Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE), 7-2

BRONZE: Sevval CAYIR (TUR) df Nicoleta BAJAN (ROU), 2-1
BRONZE: Ava WARD (USA) df Sviatlana KATENKA (BLR), 8-1

53kg
GOLD: Katie GOMEZ (USA) df Natalia KHRAMENKOVA (RUS), 10-0

BRONZE: ANTIM (IND) df Tuba DEMIR (TUR), 7-3
BRONZE: Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR) df Annatina LIPPUNER (SUI), via fall

61kg
GOLD: Viktoriia KHUSAINOVA (RUS) df Sofi TENEVA (BUL), 7-0

BRONZE: Ulmeken ESENBAEVA (UZB) df NITIKA (IND), via inj def
BRONZE: Kseniya TSIARENIA (BLR) df Yasmine SOLIMAN (HUN), 9-3

69kg
GOLD: Amit ELOR (USA) df Yevheniia SIEDYKH (UKR), via fall

BRONZE: Noemi OSVATH NAGY (HUN) df Harshita HARSHITA (IND), via fall
BRONZE: Viktoryia RADZKOVA (BLR) df Barbara SERE (ROU), 4-0

RESULTS: GR Semifinals

48kg
GOLD: Luka JAVAKHADZE (GEO) vs Servet ANGI (TUR)

SF 1: Luka JAVAKHADZE (GEO) df. Yussuf ASHRAPOV (KAZ), 3-3
SF 2: Servet ANGI (TUR) df Otto BLACK (USA), 5-5

55kg
GOLD: Valerii MANGUTOV (RUS) vs Cory LAND (USA)

SF 1: Valerii MANGUTOV (RUS) df Tamazi GLONTI (GEO), 4-3
SF 2: Cory LAND (USA) df Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ), 5-0

65kg
GOLD: Imed KHUDZHADZE (UKR) vs Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO)

SF 1: Imed KHUDZHADZE (UKR) df Ankit GULIA (IND), 4-3
SF 2: Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) df Nihat KARA (TUR), 5-4

80kg
GOLD: Kamaludin MAGOMEDOV (RUS) vs Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO)

SF 1: Kamaludin MAGOMEDOV (RUS) df Hamza SERTCANLI (SWE), 4-2
SF 2: Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) df Joju SAMADOV (AZE), 8-0

110kg
GOLD: Daniil CHASOVNIKOV (RUS) vs Nikita OVSJANIKOV (GER)

SF 1: Daniil CHASOVNIKOV (RUS) df Artur BOICHUK (UKR), 11-0
SF 2: Nikita OVSJANIKOV (GER) df Artur SARKISJAN (CZE), 4-0